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Showing Original Post only (View all)The Dutch: Traditional, or Racist? [View all]
I'm sorry--I vote racist on this shit. I think it's appalling that they still trot this guy out in the 21st Century.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/12/us-dutch-blackpete-idUSBRE9AB0LV20131112
(Reuters) - The Dutch see themselves as tolerant pragmatists, especially adaptable if social harmony or commercial interests demand it.
But that self-image has taken a battering in recent weeks as a growing chorus of voices inside and outside the country protest against a Christmas tradition that many Dutch see as harmless fun but critics say is racist.
According to the folklore, Saint Nicholas arrives in the Netherlands in mid-November accompanied by his servant Black Pete - a part usually played by a white man in "blackface" with a curly wig and large, red-painted mouth.
Now the Dutch are being forced to confront the possibility that their enormously popular Christmas tradition might point to a latent racism which many thought was anathema to their culture......"We've lied to ourselves about our tolerance for so long that we don't recognize discrimination anymore," he said. "There has been structural exclusion of minorities for decades."
He said the children of the many immigrants to the Netherlands were becoming increasingly vocal about confronting signs of racism that their parents may have chosen to ignore......
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I think an awareness on a national level of the realities of racism is a first step.
MADem
Nov 2013
#17
This is a little different than a symbol that the Nazis stole and used for their own purposes.
MADem
Nov 2013
#7
Years ago my son, who idolized Michael Jordan, wanted to be his hero for Halloween.
Nye Bevan
Nov 2013
#19
Interesting map. I think their work is incomplete, but it certainly is a starting point. nt
MADem
Nov 2013
#11
Nice link. "Anglo and Latin countries most tolerant" except for Venezuela and Dominican Republic.
pampango
Nov 2013
#14
I have represented African-Americans in lawsuits under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Laelth
Nov 2013
#64
Your continued attacks on the credibility and knowledge of an ally are counterproductive.
Laelth
Nov 2013
#67
I am going to meet (for the 1st time) my Dutch future brother in law in two hours, I will ask him.
CBGLuthier
Nov 2013
#16
It's been going on for WAAAAAAY longer than they had any substantial immigration.
MADem
Nov 2013
#39
The point is exactly what was written. It is not 'OK' or 'not OK', it is Holland and up to the Dutch
Egalitarian Thug
Nov 2013
#43
How about the people who are offended by their "traditions?" You're saying they need to shut up?
MADem
Nov 2013
#45
There is no right to being free from offense (including you NoCal). I'm not defending their
Egalitarian Thug
Nov 2013
#49
I could not disagree with you more. I think your views are really strange, in fact.
MADem
Nov 2013
#50
Of course you couldn't, big surprise there. You're more than happy to tell everybody else
Egalitarian Thug
Nov 2013
#60
David Sedaris has a hilarious piece about this regarding our Santa vs. europe's St. Nicholas.
Pretzel_Warrior
Nov 2013
#47