Halloween has a rich and varied history that goes back more than 2,000 years. 

One thing that has remained the same through the ages is the act of dressing up on Halloween. 

Though dressing up is arguably the most enjoyable part of the holiday, it is important that people stray away from appropriating groups of people and cultures in the process. 

The roots of the spooky holiday can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated around Nov. 1. 

When the Romans conquered the Celts between 58 B.C. and 51 B.C., they kept the holiday but stirred their own festivals into the pot. 

During the 8th century, Christian influence reigned upon the holiday. Pope Gregory III declared Nov. 1 as All Saints’ Day — a day to honor all saints and martyrs. The evening before became known as All Hallows’ Eve, and it was eventually shortened to Halloween. 

Since then, the holiday has become highly commercialized, especially in the United States. 

It is commemorated with trick-or-treating, scary movies that haunt you days after you watch them, parties and parades and most importantly — putting on costumes. 

Dressing up has become an integral part of celebrating the holiday. 

Some people have been known to take it too far though. 

The costumes we all saw growing up or heard about — one of them being individuals adorning themselves in Native American attire — is an example of cultural appropriation, the other side of a boundary we do not want to cross. 

According to the University of British Columbia, “cultural appreciation is appreciating another culture in an effort to broaden their perspective and connect with others cross-culturally.” Cultural appreciation cultivates awareness, appreciation and understanding of culture. 

On the other hand, according to the UBC, “cultural appropriation is taking one aspect of a culture that is not your own, such as culturally distinct items, aesthetics, or spiritual practices, and mimicking it — without consent, permission, or any cultural context or relationship to that item or practice — solely for personal interest, to make money, gain popularity or because they like the way it looks.” 

It is important to note that systemic racism does influence what constitutes cultural appropriation and what does not. 

Black people and other communities of color have been degraded physically, emotionally and mentally for generations, so no, the same rules do not apply. 

Fortunately, there are ways to avoid falling into cultural appropriation while playing your part as another character on Halloween night. 

For one, be sure to conduct your research on different cultures. Learn what interests you, learn the different settings and contexts your interests take place in, and take time to examine their historical significance. 

Be sure to also examine your intentions. If you were thinking of dressing as a person from a culture different from yours, first of all, don’t. But also ask yourself why.  

To avoid crossing the line altogether, avoid the sacred.  

If a certain object or design is reserved for sacred cultural practices, then back away from it immediately. Show your appreciation from a distance. 

Avoiding cultural appropriation does not have to be difficult — your options are limitless.

You can still be anyone or anything you want to be on Halloween night, just keep racial and ethnic minorities out of it.