( CNN ) -- They 're familiar characters in the debate over controversial Halloween costumes : suicide bombers , geishas , gangsta rappers , rednecks and sexy nurses . Such costumes regularly draw allegations of racism , sexism or insensitivity . But where do fully-clothed folk legends fit in ? American Apparel featured characters on both ends of the spectrum this month in its annual do-it-yourself Halloween costume guide . Below a collection of pin-up girl costumes -- including a model donning a breast-baring serape -- was `` La Llorona , '' the ghostly weeping woman who kidnaps wandering children , according to folklore in parts of Latin America . True , she was wearing a lace bustier under a shawl , but the layers upon layers make her appear more like the haunted bag lady than a sexy spirit . It 's the folk legend 's cultural significance -- and the lack of skin , save an inch of midriff -- that , for some , make this costume more acceptable than sexy señoritas or Mexican tequila guy . Halloween costumes inspired by Internet memes . `` One is mythology , and the other is a stereotype that comes with a lot of baggage , '' said feminist blogger Veronica Arreola , assistant director of the Center for Research on Women and Gender at University of Illinois at Chicago . It 's like dressing up as the Greek goddess Athena and paying tribute to a specific character instead of impersonating a stereotype that does n't represent the culture as a whole , she said . `` La Llorona is a folk tale , our bogeyman , our witch from our culture . That as a costume is better than the idea of someone dressing up in a sombrero or poncho and deciding ' I 'm Mexican today ! ' '' Arreola said . `` We 're a culture , not a costume '' returns . It 's an argument similar to the one an Ohio University student group made last year in its `` We 're a culture , not a costume '' campaign that spoke out against dressing up as racial and ethnic stereotypes . The campaign went viral , generating memes often more offensive than the original images and sparking debate over the line between distasteful and playful . The response prompted the group , Students Teaching About Racism in Society , to refresh its campaign this year . In response to criticism that the campaign did not incorporate a `` Caucasian stereotype , '' the group added a new image of an `` Appalachian costume '' representing `` hick '' stereotypes , said Ohio University senior and STARS President Keith Hawkins . `` [ We ] decided to continue with the posters because we agreed that they were not only successful last year but actually made a difference on campus and in the global community , '' he said . `` We were told by many professors that students wanted to talk about it , and this is exactly what we were looking to do . So we hoped we could put out another strong campaign this year that will continue the message of racial awareness and inclusively . '' Hawkins says the line between playful and offensive falls at the point where the costume plays on negative and derogatory stereotypes of a marginalized culture . `` When the costume portrays a hero or legend in general , I would say it is not offensive , '' he said . `` It is the act of either using the hero or legend ( or constructing a separate costume ) that over-exaggerates negative stereotypes that often stigmatize marginalized cultures that makes the costume offensive . '' Natural part of the `` assimilation process '' In other words , it 's the way the character is depicted that makes the differences . Like the cartoonish skulls and decorations that traditionally adorn altars on Day of the Dead , the appropriation of La Llorona as a costume is a sign of mainstream America absorbing aspects of Latino culture , said Marisa Treviño , founder and publisher of Latina Lista . `` I think it 's a natural progression of the whole assimilation process , '' Treviño said . However , that she appears in the American Apparel ad alongside women in hot pants , tube tops and garter belts shows that the tendency to exploit female sexuality for the sake of costumes still prevails , both women agreed . In some ways , sexism in Latin America 's mass media bears some blame for perceptions of Latinas as buxom sex objects , Treviño said . `` Spanish-language media bring in programs from Central and South America on a daily basis that portrays Latinas in this very sexy , provocative way . For people channel-surfing who are not familiar with the Latino community , those images stay in their mind , '' she said . It 's not just a concern for Latinos , Arreola said . It 's something that all women should think about before they decide to dress as a sexy anything : geisha or farmer 's daughter . `` There are costumes that take both of those problems and push them together and we need to deal with them , '' she said . `` It 's getting outrageous . '' How are you celebrating Halloween ? Share your spooky photos with CNN iReport .
American Apparel features folk legend `` La Llorona '' in DIY costume guide . The company is owned by the billionaire brothers Richard and Ronald Perelman. `` One is mythology , and the other is a stereotype , '' professor says . `` We 're a culture , not a costume '' campaign includes `` Appalachian hick '' stereotype .