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BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) – What Bastrop calls the Halloween display is causing controversy.
KXAN has heard at least four separate complaints from people saying what it represents is racially insensitive.
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The display near an ITS school in Bastrop is a human-looking scarecrow with a black bag over a head that hangs on a vehicle in front of a shop.
Michele Anderson and her friend confronted business owner Chris Sievert.
“I was horrified,” said Anderson. “We went down there and tried to figure out what the deal was and tried to figure out what exactly it was.”
Since then Sievert has expanded the display with a sign that reads “Don’t be a Karen”.
“We wanted it down and he refused,” said Anderson.
KXAN was also able to speak to Sievert, who said he had no intention of offending anyone. The reporter Jala Washington asked if he understood why some were offended by the hanging figure.
“Yes, because they live in the past, that is over,” said Sievert. “It’s Halloween.”
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KXAN noted that some believed the hanging figure represented someone who was being lynched. Sievert replied, “Yeah, like I was hanging out here for 12 years before my business. It makes no sense.”
According to Sievert, the dangling object is not a person. He said he hung it up in hopes of making people laugh.
“I didn’t want to do anything to hurt other people’s feelings,” Sievert said. “I figured if someone drives by and sees something hanging on a device, they can have fun with it and think, ‘Hey, that guy might be fine.’ Get some work out of it. “
Dr. Jacqueline Woolley, a professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, said it could be a teachable moment to talk about Halloween decorations that offend you.
“I think a lot of people just don’t really know what they’re doing,” said Woolley.
Woolley said the address doesn’t have to be confrontational, adding that you could leave a note.
“I have a feeling there could be a much bigger advantage than a disadvantage,” she said. “And chances are they’ll drop it or not do it again, and maybe even what they’ve learned goes beyond what they set up for Halloween.”
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Anderson understands free speech but says she would speak up about it again. However, she is now being harassed by others for this.
“It is my duty to speak up, and it is other people’s duty to speak up, especially if you are not the color of your skin,” said Anderson. “We owe that to our community. At least that. “
Sievert said he doesn’t plan on dismantling the display until Halloween is over.
“I can’t take it off now,” said Sievert. “When I record it, it’s like he was guilty and I’m not.”
He added that he would have thought twice about the ad if he knew it would be offensive and said, “I would give anything back if it hadn’t offended anyone.”
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