In another month, it’s the Dutch festival of Sinterklaas
again. Sinterklaas is a mythical figure with legendary,
historical and folkloric origins based on Saint Nicholas.
Zwarte Piet (in English Black Pete), is the
companion of Saint Nicholas in the folklore of the Low Countries. The character
first appeared in his current form in an 1850 book by Jan Schenkman and is
commonly depicted as a blackamoor. Traditionally Zwarte Piet is said to be
black because he is a Moor from Spain. Those portraying Zwarte Piet typically
put on blackface make-up and colourful Renaissance attire, in addition to curly
wigs, red lipstick and earrings. In recent years, the character has become the
subject of controversy, especially in the Netherlands.
Quinsy Gario (1984) is an activist in the movement against
Zwarte Piet, as well as a performance artist. He was born in (the Dutch
colonies of) Curaçao and raised in St Maarten before moving to the Netherlands.
Quinsy Gario with beret
Gario created the Zwarte Piet is Racisme project (Black
Pete is Racism). In 2011 he was arrested for public disturbance at the
traditional annual Sinterklaas festival where he was protesting against the use
of Zwarte Piet. He appeared on a national television talk show in 2013 to make
his case which was part of a series of events in October that The Economist
says "polarised cultural life and dragging in celebrities, politicians,
and even the UN" and "changed Zwarte Piet". For many, even if a
year ago Zwarte Piet was not a symbol of Dutch racism, he certainly is now.
Good on you, Quinsy!
As difficult as it may be to let go of the cultural stories we grew up with, we need to move along and embrace the times we live in now. Swartz Piet was most likely based on racism in the past and we can certainly identify racism in him now. I'm sure the Dutch will come up with another form of Santa Claus which isn't offence by today's standards.
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