Even culture can negatively affect certain groups. Apparently the Zwarte Piet thing is negatively affecting and causing some racism.
There's the entirely ridiculous "Kick Out Zwarte Piet" group, whose behaviour initially made me against whatever they wanted to happen. There's also some practicalities. Normally kids wouldn't recognize the people playing "Sinterklaas" or "Zwarte Piet". The initial proposed alternatives were bad.
Still, saying "culture" as the only reason for being against something? It's not good enough!
I'm Dutch btw.
For instance: in Iran there is a festivity in which a person with a black face plays a huge role, and it has been declared world cultural heritage. I wonder why there is no discussion about that.
Is that because the Dutch are white and the past is the VOC and slavery? Or because the Dutch are white?
As a Dutch person I will answer: the first.
The great grandfather's of the black kids getting name called 'Zwarte Piet' because of this tradition were literally slaves. Their grandparents were free but did not have remotely the same chances in life. Often couldn't read/write. Any original culture or family ties they had were completely erased. It wasn't like we allowed them to 'raise their kids' when they were slaves. Their parents had it much better. Went to the same schools, etc. Still had to deal with racism when going out or trying to get a nice job, but not at all with persecution. They still did not having a lot of good role models within their own community yet. And don't think about trying to go to a club or join a fraternity.
The current generation is the first one performing on par with native people within society. With more good role models and succesfull entrepeneurs.
Honestly. Decent folks in the Netherlands already changed the tradition to the chimney style. Small subtle change. Doesn't harm anyone.
The people at this moment who still strongly hold on to Zwarte Piet .. are racist. But the tradition wasn't intended to be. And before the discussions started it wasn't. It is now. Because it's impossible to claim that minor changes to traditions are this important to someone unless the intend is racist. Traditions that were always changing. That have changed over and over again. And the only change that is a discussion is this one.
Racism is awful, but going around with US-shaped visors and using that as the sole/primary criterion of it is not good.
For another example: there is no association between Blackface and racism in Poland. Sure, there is plenty of racism on other grounds, but e.g. a white person putting on black make-up isn't part of it.
Its root is in mythology rather than anything else.
This is the kind of representation of this man you have in my place. So yeah while this one is probably okay for Facebook, I understand the point of view of the Dutch and the German ones which are basically the exact same concept but with different visual choices.
They are turned away by the organizing committee ... tada, because they are black.
Also note the BLM movement that spread through our country as well, which I think will definitely impact the public opinion for about black pete.
Not saying I agree or disagree; not going to touch that dumpster fire with my opinions.
I agree that Zwarte Piet is portrayed as a great person/character. Despite that, the way it's shown is nowadays outdated and is actually harmful. So despite everything being done in a way that is NOT racist at all, in practice it does cause some harm.
IMO the easy way out would still be to paint people, but to paint them in some weird colour.
Note: it took me a long time to get to this, this as "Kick Out Zwarte Piet" is one of the most stupid advocacy groups that I've seen. It almost seems like a hidden advocacy group IMO.
This is what some English / Welsh "Border Morris" dancers do. This page shows a wide mix. There's full black, half black or black shapes, soot-like smudges[1], mixed black and colour, or full non-black colour.
Or are they portrayed as well as they where when the tradition started?
Also, what's is bad about big lips? Or earrings?
> Enter the modern day Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet. Leading up to W.W.II, Black Pete’s job was to investigate which children had been “bad,” and to take them away in his sack and/or whip them for discipline. Today, the dominating image of Black Pete is more one of entertainment for others’ enjoyment: He helps Sinterklaas deliver the presents and no longer acts as the one who brings punishment to the bad children. But the old task of Black Pete is still referred to in a funny matter. Many parents joke and say “I will tell Black Pete to take you with him to Spain!”. Sinterklaas will ask Black Pete to see ‘The Book’, which lists all the right and wrong things a child did. Over time, Zwarte Piet’s character morphed into a group of Black Petes; all considered a Zwarte Piet, but each with different characteristics.
> In the celebrations, Sinterklaas, who is white, is played by a white person. Black Pete is played in full blackface, usually by a white person as well, or by a black person also in blackface. The actors paint their faces black with huge red lips, wear a curly wig and Moorish dress. “They are portrayed as young, and agile, and do much running and jumping around and acting like acrobats,” says Leyla Hamidi of the National Bureau Against Racial Discrimination. Sinterklaas is portrayed as old, wise, mature, calm, and in control. In celebrations and the media, Black Pete is overwhelmingly viewed by children and adults as unintelligent and clownish. These and other characteristics were found to be typical characteristics of Black Pete as well as black characters in general in Dutch children’s books. Berend’s research found them portrayed as dumb, childish, idle, foolish, and strict (for the old version of Black Pete). Berends further showed similar results for the main physical depictions of black people in children’s books and Black Pete imagery – including enlarged red lips, enlarged white teeth, and enlarged and bulging eyes.
Nobody had any problems with the word neger. "Of course I am a neger they said, and you are a white guy. So what, just don't call me zwarte ( black ).".
This is in NL.
[0]: https://www.ad.nl/tilburg/braboneger-laat-bijnaam-vallen-en-...
And here is exactly why it's a stupid idea, different countries have different culture and history.
We also celebrate the exact same event in my place and it's just a part of kindergarten, nothing related about US culture. People needs to be less stubborn and understand that not everywhere is the same as the place they grew up.
Edit: Although I've just learned that the Dutch & German versions look indeed different compared to my place. The massive black-beard ones we have in my place would still be okay for Facebook I believe, but it's the same concept really.