Word to the wise: if you are thinking of dressing up as a serial killer for Halloween, don’t. It shouldn’t have to be said, but serial killers are not something to glorify. They’re not characters; they are and were real people who murdered other people.
This is why eBay has, rightfully, banned Jeffrey Dahmer costumes. These costumes included wire glasses and masks of Dahmer’s face, as well as orange jumpsuits and other such apparel that appears in photos and mugshots. These costumes violated eBay’s policy on the promotion and glorification of violence.
This recent wave of Dahmer paraphernalia has been brought about by Netflix’s Monster: The Jeffery Dahmer Story, which is not new to rightful controversy. The creators and production team failed to reach out to the victims’ families, who are victims in their own right, to ask permission to use their likenesses and stories. The show profits off of the victim’s suffering.
Rita Isbell, sister of Dahmer victim Errol Lindsey, told Insider, “I feel like Netflix should’ve asked if we mind or how we felt about making it. They didn’t ask me anything. They just did it. But I’m not money hungry, and that’s what this show is about; Netflix trying to get paid. I could even understand it if they gave some of the money to the victims’ children. Not necessarily their families. I mean, I’m old. I’m very, very comfortable. But the victims have children and grandchildren. If the show benefited them in some way, it wouldn’t feel so harsh and careless. It’s sad that they’re just making money off of this tragedy. That’s just greed.”
That’s not where the controversy ends. Netflix, for some bizarre reason, originally tagged the series as LGBT, which was quickly taken off after some backlash. The show also continues to attempt to portray Dahmer as a handsome, misunderstood man, which is deranged on many levels.
Dahmer was convicted for 15 murders and is believed to have murdered two more. His main victims were queer men of color.
