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Halloween for Black Kids Was Never ‘Normal’
Due to safety and frightening racism, Black families have a lot to consider on October 31
Halloween may be different this year for many in America, but it’s never quite been traditional for Black children. It’s why we’re excited to share Momentum’s first-ever package, Halloween While Black, which highlights the way Black children celebrate Fright Night — or don’t at all. Whether for religious reasons (Hallelujah parties, anyone?) or simply due to safety and frightening racism, Black families have a lot to consider on October 31, and that’s before you add a pandemic to the mix.
For this Queens kid, Halloween was more of a magical inside job. My mother made our home a Halloween wonderland, so I never felt like I missed out on festivities. Growing up, LEVEL writer Isaiah McCall had to explain to his friends why he dressed as Black Moses on Halloween, thanks to his Christian family’s stance on the holiday. And for Momentum’s co-editor Tracey Ford, the idea of celebrating Halloween in all-White spaces has always been terrifying.
