Is my Halloween display offensive?

[Bargod]

Hi Folks, I'm new to the forum and Halloween is my favorite holiday. This is my first post and I really need your help/opinion.

In front of my house I have a whole graveyard complete with stones and fog machines. I have demons and bats and crows and lots of webs. I also have a hanging man. I found the plans last year and built him just in time for Halloween. The idea is a hanging demon faced dummy being hung from a noose. There's a wiper motor and power supply and a motion activated plug. When people walk by it activates him and his legs kick. It's pretty cool. I call him "Ned the dead dude". He was a hit last year.

This year we had a pumpkin carving costume at work. I brought Ned in and replaced his head with a pumpkin my team had carved.

At first it was a hit. People loved it. Then one person made reference that it was inappropriate because of recent happenings in the news. Never in a million years would I have connected my Halloween decoration to the Jena 6 controversy but someone went right to that and I'm feeling pretty bad about it. I'm even considering retiring the piece from my scene as not to offend people.

I hate to have my first post be so controversial but I'm conflicted. In your opinion, should I keep it in and let be part of a really cool display or should I be worried people may be offended or worse?

[One Eye'd Jack]

Welcome, Bargod! We've all been talking about this resently. Here's a link to that thread.....
http://www.halloween.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=2406

[Rising Dead Man]

People will be offended by everything and anything. Its a stupid world we live in.

[HalloweenDot]

I agree. Everyone needs to live and let live.

People will be offended by everything and anything. Its a stupid world we live in.

[Andybev01]

I would say that perhaps brining in an intense prop like Ned might be out of place in a work setting.

However I also believe that the capitalist corporate environment is frequently the most horrifying place you could find yourseld in...

[Rising Dead Man]

Everyone loved it but that one guy. So if you have it again this year ignore him. If other people start complaining. Just let them know that you did not mean to offend them and they can mind their own business. If they still complain ignore them. It is your yard and you can put what you want.

[Ghost]

Maybe bringing it to work wasn't the best idea..... but as for putting it in your yard, I see no reason why it shouldn't be there. At one point in history, putting up displays like your friend Ned there, was a way to ward off bad spirits.

[Bargod]

I haven't been back to the site in awhile but I guess i should report my solution. Ned did make his return appearance last year. I thought long and hard about it and decided maybe the noose could be found offensive. Regaurdless of who's right or wrong the last thing I need is for my address to turn up in a local papaer being accused as racially insensative. So i removed the noose and replaced it with a black chain that went around Ned's neck and kind of draped along his whole body. It actually turned out pretty cool. There's no noose but I still get to hang my zombie and watch him kicking. Thanks for all the support.

[Rising Dead Man]

I read an article about a high school where these students hung a noose on a tree JUST to offend the black students. Now THAT is racist. But there is a difference between a Halloween display and a racist act. And yours, my friend, were not racist!!

But the chain is cooler.

[Ghoul of the Graves]

Is that Ned in your avatat Bargod? He looks pretty creepy

[Fortune Bubble]

Is that Ned in your avatat Bargod? He looks pretty creepy

Yeah, looks like a C.H.U.D. wearing a hoodie. I bet the noose was a lot cooler looking, in terms of dramatic effect.

[Kyu]

Even though this problem has been solved, I want to put my word in.

Everything will offend somebody.
I say don't care about what they think.
If it offends them, they need to grow up.

The way I dress offends people. Do I change that? No.

[ldiliberto]

I think the chain was a good idea, no reason to give the sensitive people out there any more reason to turn you in

[adrian]

This is also my first time on this site. I would love to see your set up. Do you have a picture posted somewhere? Also I believe you should NOT take it down. This holiday is what you want it to be. It's all about pushing the boundries. If you don't have a picture please put one up

[Halloween_crazyy]

I definatly think you should keep it up. They should understand that you didn't intend to offend anyone, and you weren't trying to crack a sick joke.