For more than two decades, there has been controversy over a historic fictional character popularly known as Zwarte Piet (also known as Black Pete) who is featured in the traditional Dutch Christmas Festival in the Netherlands starting on December 5th (December 6th for Belgium and Luxembourg). This character is known for being Santa’s helper as he greets the children in the crowds and hands out candy and treats. Of course this character wouldn’t be so harmless if it weren’t for his representation as a “Black Servant.” White faces of the big and small portray this character in charcoal black face, blood red lipstick, and Moorish” attire. This has been done by the Dutch residents for years and the issue is now should the character and its origins be banned from the Christmas festival. Many of the residents of the Netherlands are of Melanoid descent; therefore, this character poses a negative image and portrayal of the people of African descent and many have lead and participated in the fight to end this character. Last December at the Christmas Festival, there were a few protests that led to violence amongst the protestors and the residents that participated in the festival as Zwarte Piet. This has led to a question of whether this traditional Christmas festival should even continue. Or more specifically, should the Zwarte Piet character discontinue while going on with the festival.

The origins of the character first came on the scene in the 18th century; Sinterklass was seen in picture books with a “chained devil” by his side, assisting Santa in the giving of presents to children. Though the devil was depicted in the Sinterklass story, it was said for the devil to not be of harm to the children since he was chained and forced to be Santa’s helper. However, a book was published later in 1850 by an Amsterdam-based primary school teacher Jan Schenkman called Saint Nicholas and his helper. The book showed a picture of Zwarte Piet as a Moorish servant (word used for blacks in Europe at the time). There was no confirmation exactly how Sinterklass came upon Zwarte Piet, but it was said he was a runaway slave. Zwarte Piet’s servitude was to listen for children down the chimney, gift-giving, and punish the naughty children by putting them in sacs, kidnapping them, and bring them home to Italy. In the later years, that duty changed to just stuffing coals in their stockings. There was question in the coming years of whether Zwarte Piet was a slave or personal servant and equal partner of Sinterklass. The depiction of Zwarte Piet’s character was a clumsy, dim-witted, and funny servant who was completely harmless and loving to everyone. Unfortunately as we know, this character has been used throughout history time and time again for the Melanoid people, specifically in theatre and film. Also the character’s features including very dark skin, large red lips, and uncombed hair shows a certain racial stereotype was also used widely within the entertainment society amongst racist whites. So you can see why tension would arise within a very aware and intelligent community of various backgrounds and cultures.

The protest is mainly on the “black face” of white men, women, and children in or celebrating the Traditional Dutch Christmas Parade which is a representation of Zwarte Piet. The origins of this character as well as Caucasians in black face bring back painful memories of a history that is seemingly repeating itself. The protestors including the Melanoid community doesn’t feel the need to completely cancel the parade in its entirety, just the negative character of Zwarte Piet.

On the opposite side, the said “90%” of the Netherland community feels there shouldn’t be any changes. They feel Zwarte Piet’s character isn’t viewed amongst most of the residents as racist, but more so a fun-loving character who happens to be a servant to Sinterklass. It’s a tradition that has been in the Dutch community for many centuries and to just remove character Zwarte Piet from the festival is placing a large hole on the community’s excitement. There has been a few changes over the years with the appearance of Zwarte Piet losing the overly large lips and “softer” curled hair; however, this has had little effect on the overall caricature of Zwarte Piet. His origin is from a negative standpoint that will forever be tainted. Politician Jan Pronk former of the United Nations stated “I don’t think it’s so bad.”   In July of 2014, the Amsterdam Court ruled Zwarte Piet is considered “a negative stereotype being portrayed as unintelligent and servile.”

The question stands on where do we cross the line of tradition and just plain racism in its purest form. Do we still encourage and celebrate a tradition that has been celebrated in the community for years at the expense of hurting another’s feelings of him/herself and their culture? Or do take the time to listen and understand other cultures around you and revamp and age old tradition? Do you not see the racism, sexism, or negative stereotype in something you’re a part of simply because you’re blind to the fact or do you just choose to be?

I will leave that to that to the masses….