Just because you can, it doesn't mean you should.
It's solid advice, yet so many don't heed it when it comes to Halloween.
Every year, people dream up ever more offensive costumes designed to shock, provoke and make sick minds chuckle.
In 2013, we saw costumes of Trayvon Martin, an Asiana Airlines pilot and — shudder — a Boston Marathon victim.
And this year, we're sad to say, isn't looking much better.
Here are some offensive costumes that you definitely shouldn't wear this Halloween.
Ray Rice
Idiot's Ray Rice Halloween costume includes Janay Rice blow-up doll http://t.co/YUtZgbh7a7 pic.twitter.com/KY8IYTPRrt
— Jezebel (@Jezebel) October 21, 2014
Ebola
My brother's Halloween costume #ebola pic.twitter.com/3F1L8RMRJj
— Marlowe Rae Pugh (@marlowerae5) October 22, 2014
Adrian Peterson
(Allegations of child abuse with a switch are no laughing matter.)
(No, you shouldn't dress like this — not at music festivals, and not anywhere else.)
(Not particularly topical, and not the most offensive on this list, but still terrible.)
(This seemed like a fun idea a few months ago. But since the mayor was diagnosed with cancer, it's best to leave it on the shelf.)
#RobFord, #Mayor of #Toronto! Buy the latex mask! Share your pics & vids with #RobFordMask http://t.co/iEPzpfb2FE pic.twitter.com/mIuGBmIZcm
— Amazing Party Store (@amazing_party) June 1, 2014
Joan Rivers
(Truth be told, Joan might have laughed at this idea herself. But given her death and its disturbing circumstances, it's best to not bother.)
Bloodied Cheerleader
(We'd love to meet the person who thought this was a good idea. Actually, no, we wouldn't.)
Asda causes an outcry after selling Halloween costumes depicting shot American teenagers http://t.co/fl0xBz3HPz pic.twitter.com/bS8Cr5EZa8
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) October 17, 2014
Ferguson Police Officer
(Dressing up as SWAT is generally OK. Dressing up as SWAT from Ferguson is not.)
Amanda Bynes
(As a smart tweet once said, mental illness is not a spectator sport.)
My @amandabynes costume was a success. #halloweencostume pic.twitter.com/dO3ftQC352
— daddy (@talljpaul) November 2, 2013
(This costume seems to keep coming back despite efforts to ban it.)
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