Black Pete

[Amphilophus88]

Don't really know if this was on the news in the USA..
But the UN was investigating whether or not our "zwarte piet", in English "black pete" was racist or not.
Basically instead of Santa Claus we have "Sinterklaas" with his black helpers.

Then there always has to be one black guy that is quickly offended and too ignorant to understand that they are not black because of their skin color but because they climb through the chimney..
I say one because a lot of blacks don't care at all.. my girlfriend is black and she has exactly the same opinion as I have about this subject for example.

Moving over here and then trying to end our traditions.. I should sent him back to the cave he crawled out of.
In such a situation I am always comparing it with myself. If I lived in America for example. I wouldn't try to claim my rights or wave the damn Dutch flag.. it's crazy.

Very curious how people in the USA think about this subject, since I was talking to a black collegae of mine who said "there is no way that you could pull this off in America, having an old white guy with black helpers".

 

[rgonzales]

they are black because of being soot covered, i see nothing racist in that but ive never been sensitive to racial subjects

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[ballinouttacntrol]

i don't get it....

not sure that i want to either.

 

[Amphilophus88]

What's not to get? Just something we celebrate instead of Santa Claus. A white guy with black helpers but apparently now all of sudden it is racist.

 

[Empyreal]

Because of the US history with slavery and civil rights it would not be taken lightly here no, I don't believe it would work. That being said were obviously not the only country that has delt with slavery in the past before but the US is still extremely sensitive to it. I have a girlfriend too who is mixed puerto rican and mexican and things come up like this now and again. You have balance if whatever if offensive is important enough to continue if it bothers a lot of people. Does it bother me? No, but then thats because I am a white guy and it wouldn't. It is important to listen to people saying that it bothers them and understand why it does.

PS: Maybe its just me but the Santa Claus you depicted looks to be dressed im more religious garb. I find it interesting that our santa claus here in the US (as seen on Coca Cola commercials lol) It very far removed from religion which makes me laugh because Christmas is nothing but religious in my eyes. (not saying thats bad thing)

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[Amphilophus88]

Because of the US history with slavery and civil rights it would not be taken lightly here no, I don't believe it would work. That being said were obviously not the only country that has delt with slavery in the past before but the US is still extremely sensitive to it. I have a girlfriend too who is mixed puerto rican and mexican and things come up like this now and again. You have balance if whatever if offensive is important enough to continue if it bothers a lot of people. Does it bother me? No, but then again I'm just a white guy and I need to listen to people saying that it bothers them.

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Yes I agree with you.

But why is it that it is still such a topic in the USA?
It's the same as the N-word, that's what it's called right? while black dudes can say it ending with an A.. well that makes sense..

As far as I know the Dutch were one of the biggest slave traders and you hardly hear anything about it over here.. well besides this guy. Well that might of course be because the grand-grand children of the former slaves don't live here or anything, but still.

 

[Empyreal]

Yes I agree with you.

But why is it that it is still such a topic in the USA?
It's the same as the N-word, that's what it's called right? while black dudes can say it ending with an A.. well that makes sense..

As far as I know the Dutch were one of the biggest slave traders and you hardly hear anything about it over here.. well besides this guy. Well that might of course be because the grand-grand children of the former slaves don't live here or anything, but still.

Not sure maybe its a time thing. European history is much longer/extensive than the US. Slavery. Think about it. Slavery was only ended here about 150 years ago! Thats like 1 and a half generations, it truly wasn't that long ago. Also Economics plays a huge role in it. As in the US many areas ethnicity is correlated with income, and there is a large gap between, lets be frank, the income between whites and non-whites in many areas of the country very immensly. IMO it also doesnt help that our government believes that reparations will help the problem, when really it keeps us from moving on, and unfortunately, makes many non-whites dependent on the government - a new form of slavery. Of course this is a VERY complicated topic and I by no means confirm that the things I say apply for every person / situation / or area. IMHO

 

[SumoNinja]

how come sinterklaas isn't black? he doesn't go through the chimneys? and how come only their skin is black but clothes are spotless?

or is it because he's upper class and can afford good soap and his helpers are poverty stricken troubled teens from the ghetto?

 

[isde02]

Because of the US history with slavery and civil rights it would not be taken lightly here no, I don't believe it would work. That being said were obviously not the only country that has delt with slavery in the past before but the US is still extremely sensitive to it. I have a girlfriend too who is mixed puerto rican and mexican and things come up like this now and again. You have balance if whatever if offensive is important enough to continue if it bothers a lot of people. Does it bother me? No, but then thats because I am a white guy and it wouldn't. It is important to listen to people saying that it bothers them and understand why it does.

PS: Maybe its just me but the Santa Claus you depicted looks to be dressed im more religious garb. I find it interesting that our santa claus here in the US (as seen on Coca Cola commercials lol) It very far removed from religion which makes me laugh because Christmas is nothing but religious in my eyes. (not saying thats bad thing)

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Not sure maybe its a time thing. European history is much longer/extensive than the US. Slavery. Think about it. Slavery was only ended here about 150 years ago! Thats like 1 and a half generations, it truly wasn't that long ago. Also Economics plays a huge role in it. As in the US many areas ethnicity is correlated with income, and there is a large gap between, lets be frank, the income between whites and non-whites in many areas of the country very immensly. IMO it also doesnt help that our government believes that reparations will help the problem, when really it keeps us from moving on, and unfortunately, makes many non-whites dependent on the government - a new form of slavery. Of course this is a VERY complicated topic and I by no means confirm that the things I say apply for every person / situation / or area. IMHO

x2 right on the money, I agree 110%

 

[Amphilophus88]

Not sure maybe its a time thing. European history is much longer/extensive than the US. Slavery. Think about it. Slavery was only ended here about 150 years ago! Thats like 1 and a half generations, it truly wasn't that long ago. Also Economics plays a huge role in it. As in the US many areas ethnicity is correlated with income, and there is a large gap between, lets be frank, the income between whites and non-whites in many areas of the country very immensly. IMO it also doesnt help that our government believes that reparations will help the problem, when really it keeps us from moving on, and unfortunately, makes many non-whites dependent on the government - a new form of slavery. Of course this is a VERY complicated topic and I by no means confirm that the things I say apply for every person / situation / or area. IMHO

I think that would make sense. 150 Years really isn't that long indeed.
Ah the income gap between white and non-whites is still that big? I thought blacks were slowly becoming better educated and getting better and better jobs. *Oh wait there are Mexicans as well of course.

how come sinterklaas isn't black? he doesn't go through the chimneys? and how come only their skin is black but clothes are spotless?

or is it because he's upper class and can afford good soap and his helpers are poverty stricken troubled teens from the ghetto?

Oh wow I will remember this one. Yes, black pete is a thug straight out the hood.