The Netherlands and Belgium are two countries that pride themselves on progressive laws and open societies, but critics say they are stuck in the dark ages when it comes to depictions of Santa Claus and his helpers.
Saint Nicholas, or "Sinterklaas" in Dutch, brings presents to children on December 5th in the Netherlands and on December 6th in Belgium, and is always accompanied by at least one assistant dressed in 17th century costume who has a blackened face.
The tradition has been difficult for Dutch and Belgian people to explain abroad, where "Zwarte Piet" (Black Pete) is viewed with either outrage or ridicule.
The tradition of St Nicholas exists in other European countries, including Austria and Germany. But he is only accompanied by black helpers in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Somebody who dresses up as Zwarte Piet is not a racist but it is a fact that he's part of a tradition which gives a stereotypical, racist image of black people," said John Helsloot a researcher at the Meertens Institute in Amsterdam.
Pressure on Zwarte Piet seems to be increasing in 2012 and even well-known conservative blog "Geen Stijl" (No Style) has written that it's time for Sinterklaas to find a new helper.
Note EU-Digest: this is comparing apples with pears and carrying racism a step too far. Soon we might also be hearing that Santa Claus is exploiting "little People" in his toy factory on the North Pole? Aren't there more important issues to worry about?
Read more: Santa Claus under fire over black helper - The Irish Times - Mon, Dec 03, 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment