#HalloweenWhileBlack

A weeklong look at the scariest night of the year

“It wasn’t until high school when I realized that I missed out on Halloween’s biggest traditions,” writes Isaiah McCall in a story about forgoing trick-or-treating in favor of his ultra-Christian family’s annual “Hallelujah parties.” (McCall would attend church dressed as Black Moses and later endure ridicule from his friends.) Whether for religious reasons, to avoid skirmishes between New York City gangs, or simply because it involves knocking on strangers’ doors, Halloween has always been fraught for Black people in America. And this year, it’s even more complicated.

All week long, our colleagues at Momentum are sharing essays and reported stories about #HalloweenWhileBlack. Read more about how we’re all handling tricks, treats, and every kind of mask this year.