Kansas professor accused of “cultural appropriation” for her Michael Jackson Halloween costume

An associate professor at a Kansas university is now under fire for “cultural appropriation” after dressing up as Michael Jackson for Halloween.

Holly O’Neil is a chemistry teacher at Washburn University and attended the English Department’s annual Halloween party dressed as the late King of Pop. O’Neil, a white woman, even danced to Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” at which point a video of her was taken and posted to Facebook.

The video received immense backlash from the community which launched an investigation into the matter.

“Washburn University is reviewing concerns raised about a costume worn by an employee to an on-campus Halloween party Thursday, Oct. 27,” noted a spokes person of the university.

The school also commented saying, “We are gathering information and hearing perspectives from the students, faculty and staff who were involved and have been affected before developing a response to the situation. Washburn’s commitment to an inclusive campus community will be an important part of this review process.”