https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjgCkdimnvY


A Brief History of Black Pete: The Netherlands' Racist Christmas Tradition
The controversial blackface character dates back to a children's book published in 1845


Dec 07, 2015
Julia Mason - Staff Writer

On November 14th, St. Nicholas and his blackface assistant, Zwarte Piet, or Black Pete, pulled into the port of Meppel in the Netherlands. Santa was greeted by crowds of adoring children—but his controversial sidekick looked slightly different this year. Instead of wearing his usual blackface paint, he had smudges of soot on his cheeks, suggesting his dark complexion came from shimmying down a chimney. Black Pete was also missing his bright red lipstick and giant gold hoop earrings. What prompted his sudden makeover? In recent years, St. Nick’s helper has become an increasingly controversial figure in the Netherlands. Groups such as Zwarte Piet Niet and stopblackface.com say the character perpetuates crude racist stereotypes. Never heard of him? Here’s a primer:



Who is “Black Pete?”
The character of “Black Pete” dates back to a children’s book published in 1845 called Sinterklaas and his Servant. Written by an Amsterdam schoolteacher named Jan Schenkman, the story imagined Sinterklaas arriving by boat from his home in Spain with a swarthy Moorish companion with an afro, thick red lips, and a switch to beat naughty children. Portrayed by men and women in blackface makeup, Black Peter usually sports an outlandish Renaissance costume. Critics have pointed out that Black Peter’s sartorial tastes echo the outfits work by slaves in Renaissance paintings. The Dutch imported Sinterklaas to New Amsterdam, where he eventually transformed into Santa Claus. Thankfully, Black Pete didn’t catch on in America.

ADVERTISING


Where is “Black Pete” actually a thing?
The feast of St. Nicholas is celebrated in several European countries on December 5th and 6th—but his frightening sidekick only makes an appearance in the Netherlands and Belgium. The feast day commemorates the death of St. Nicholas, a fourth-century Greek bishop who lived in modern-day Turkey.


1947 Dutch Postcard via the St Nicholas Center Collection

Is “Black Pete” racist?
Black Pete’s identity continues to be hotly debated within the Netherlands. Antiracism activists say the children’s character is a racist stereotype that symbolizes Holland’s colonial past. Black Pete’s defenders say he’s an innocent chimney sweep with an extremely sooty face. The United Nations doesn’t agree.

In August 2015, the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination wrote to the Dutch government expressing concerns over the tradition:

“The character of Black Pete is sometimes portrayed in a manner that reflects negative stereotypes of people of African descent and is experienced by many people of African descent as a vestige of slavery…Some practices, which are part of cultural heritage, may infringe upon human rights…Negative media and other cultural, social or traditional portrayals of persons belonging to minorities may constitute racism and may be degrading to members of those communities, in the present case persons belonging to black populations and people of African descent, and can perpetuate negative stereotypes within society.”


What does the Dutch government have to say?
In a reply to the U.N., the Dutch government dismissed the idea of banning the character, saying that it regarded Sinterklaas as a “traditional children’s festival celebrated in many different ways by different people.” Although the government refused to put an official stop to the tradition, officials said they would be willing to promote a discussion, however “uncomfortable,” about racism. Long story short: Black Pete’s been given a makeover. This year five Dutch cities decided to replace the character’s disturbing blackface makeup with sooty streaks.