Forget being P.C. If he wants be a Ringwraith, let him. Anybody who gives you crap about it, tell them to f*** off. Don't make him change because our government decided that it was ok to torture prisoners. Besides, as long as he's not holding some wires and he isn't standing on a box, he's fine.

On the other hand, here's a few new ideas if you need them:

http://www.thestranger.com/current/special.html

that would make me uncomfortable too. maybe sew some gold or black fringe around the hood?or on the cape? just to give it a distinguishing look.

Suggest a little tag, maybe, or a sign he can wear down his back.

Present it so it sounds like those ignorant people out there may not be smart enough to get it on their own.

Superiority works in this house, anyway, even if it is undesirable at times.

ringwraith should have a sword. no gloves i don't think. something approximating armor -

maybe sneakers and gloves spraypainted silver or something.

some dumb frat boy somewhere is going to dress like the abu ghraib prisoner on purpose of course. definitely at cal berkeley, those punks are notorious.

tell you what, if you really need an alternative idea to make the youngster happy, suggest frodo - he IS the hero of the story after all. not that i want to deny Monk's opportunity to express his shadow, heck - i do it every day. :)

happy samhain!

Just wanted to point out that it won't only be dumb fratty types dressing as Abu Ghraib prisoners -- I know a group of activist gay boys who are doing exactly that at the Halloween Parade here in NYC as a form of protest. Not that Monk should be doing it, by any means, if he wants to be a ring wraith. I'm with the other folks who have suggested making what he is more clear by adding a few details and accessories.

I don't have kids, so I'm no expert here. But, I wonder if a little peer pressure might work. What are his friends wearing for Halloween? You might want to "make over" their costumes, mention how "cool" they are and give him the option to change his to something like theirs.

On a related note, what the hell is a ring wraith?

would the addition of a scary, skeletony mask help?

I think I've decided that rather than wearing the "faceless" mask over his face, I'm just going to paint his face with black face paint, and white around the eyes. That way, he's safer AND less, um, tortured prisonerish.

Rox - ringwraiths are those dudes in the lord of the rings that ride around on black horses trying to find the one ring. I'm not sure if that's an entirely accurate description, because I'm only in the first part of the Fellowship of the Ring, but that's what they appear to be so far.

happy halloween !!!!!!

Happy Halloween to you.

Well I am going to risk saying...sometimes a costume is just a costume. I hope y'all had a wonderful Halloween and they enjoyed lots of trick or treating! Glad to hear you are feeling better, we have had a nasty two week cold that attacked all of us, so I feel for your pain! I think I coughed up a lung or two or three myself! Take care!