Sinterklaas, Zwarte Piet and Racist Controversies

           

    With the holiday season starting, I decided to dedicate this month mainly to season's traditions from around the world. What happens for Christmas, New Year and other similar holidays, in various countries? 

          However, I am going to begin with a holidays' controversy, generated by the celebration of Sinterklaas, one of the most important winter celebrations in the Netherlands. The celebration is taking place on the night of St. Nicholas, 5th to 6th of December, and also has analogue celebrations in other countries. The elderly religious figure of Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas), whose mission is to bring presents to the children, is accompanied by his helper and travel companion, Zwarte Piet (Black Pete). And things have been this way for generations. Some say Piet is a slave from a former colony, some say he is a Moor who came from Spain, and some say his face is just dirty of soot as he came down the chimney. 

         As you might have already heard or imagined, many debates, protests and controversies have been going on during the recent years, around the symbol and identity of Zwarte Piet. Complaints have been focusing on the idea that this character encourages racism, or racist stereotypes portraying black people as slaves, and therefore this tradition is not "politically correct". However, are such concerns really motivated? In my opinion, children, as they are the main target for this celebration, would look at all this with innocent eyes, without creating polemics or over-analysing the meaning behind everything. They simply enjoy the celebration and all the friendly faces associated with it. 

         But perhaps I don't know much, as I am just an "outsider". Therefore, I asked some Dutch friends about it. I found out that the vast majority of Dutch people, regardless of skin colour, celebrate and enjoy Sinterklaas without problems, as everything is just a symbol and a tradition. As Piet is not a negative character, it does not encourage hatred or social exclusion towards black people. However, some black people living in the Netherlands might feel offended by the association with slavery. And the biggest possible danger would be if racist behaviour would arise around, or on the basis of this celebration. 

           Unfortunately, not everything happening or appearing in this world is "politically correct". Besides, compared to some stereotyping on various social categories reflected in the media, the celebration of Sinterklaas and the figure of Zwarte Piet is quite mild.  This is just an ancient tradition, and it would be a pity to be given up on. Should it be modified? How? Is there a way to keep everyone happy? Or should people just enjoy the celebration, take it for what it is, and without detracting negative meaning and creating controversies? 

(photo: Wikipedia)