So was Jesus, but when you suggest such a thing....
"Amsterdam Officials Plan Makeover of ‘Black Pete’ Holiday Character" New York Times August 15, 2014
AMSTERDAM — The Netherlands’ controversial holiday character Black Pete might soon become Sooty Pete — but gradually.
The mayor of Amsterdam said Thursday that Black Pete, who features in the city’s winter holiday pageant, would change in appearance over the next four years to make him less of an offensive racial stereotype.
Race was a big theme in my Globe today, and then it occurred to me: it's election season.
According to the mayor, Eberhard van der Laan, the gradual transformation began in last year’s official city parade, when Pete stopped wearing golden earrings, and would continue until the popular character eventually resembles someone who has climbed through a chimney rather than a caricature of an African.
In the annual Sinterklaas (Santa Claus) parade, held Dec. 5, St. Nicholas enters on horseback accompanied by Black Pete, his Moorish servant, who walks alongside distributing candy and treats.
So it was actually the black guy with the heart of gold?
Children and adults have portrayed Black Pete by wearing blackface makeup, painting on big red lips, and donning frizzy black wigs.
Dutch and foreign critics say Black Pete is an offensive holdover from colonialism and slavery. Opinion polls, however, show that a majority of Dutch see nothing wrong with the depiction.
I wasn't alive then, and neither were very many Dutch.
Besides announcing the planned changes of costume and makeup, van der Laan said he would appeal a ruling by a local court last month that the character had racist undertones and was offensive, saying the discussion about Black Pete should happen in the community and not the courtroom.
I'm tired of being beaten over the head with that by the supremacist media.
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Btw, ever notice everyone is always a little racist except Jews in my paper?
Related: Santa Claus Is Black
In August?
