Quote:
Originally Posted by DrPhil
I find it problematic to depict someone of the African Diaspora as a servant or freed slave who "chose to serve" (LOL) anyone. You have Europeans running around in blackface and, as with many people in the United States of America, many of these Europeans have no real interactions with people of the African Diaspora. Zwarte Piet is all there is.
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I take it you've lived in The Netherlands and are well versed in the culture since you make a statement about how things are here?
As I currently live in The Netherlands I thought I'd chime in on the issue.
All children in the Netherlands(of the age that don't believe in "Santa" anymore) are encouraged to join in the debate on how Zwarte Piet isn't appropriate. (and it isn't appropriate, and they know)
There have been many, many debates on how to handle the situation, but they can't just abolish this custom overnight since Zwarte Piet is more popular among the kids than Sinterklaas. The government is taking steps though to eliminate the custom, but they can't just change this overnight. There is a task force (consisting op people from all cultures represented in the country) working on this issue.
Zwarte Piet was decades ago depicted as a lazy and mean but as the Netherlands became more integrated and the old colonial stereotypes were eradicated he became the good spirited and intelligent character he is now.
Is it wrong that white men are walking around in blackface and red lips to depict a man of (west) African heritage? Yes, that is
so wrong. But there is awareness here, and it isn't done to insult and make fun of a culture.
For future reference, please don't refer to ONE culture in Europe as "Europeans" because European means anyone and everyone from Norway to Spain, and Ireland to the Ukraine and Turkey. That's people in all colors/shapes and sizes.
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