I’ve been studying racist costume parties for a decade, and colleges are failing at educating the students about why they’re wrong

A series of racist costume parties at Bowdoin shows the contradiction colleges have to navigate – encouraging open, reasoned debate, while creating a safe campus for all students.

By: Ingrid A. Nelson, Bowdoin College, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: May 29, 2026

Words: 1,598

Last Updated: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

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By Ingrid A. Nelson, Bowdoin College

In 2014, a group of students at Bowdoin College thought it would be fun to dress up as Pilgrims and Native Americans for a Thanksgiving-themed party. This is not the first or last event like this, nor is it unique to one college.

Attendees later told me that, at the time, they did not understand why others might find the theme offensive. After all, many had dressed as …

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