© Reuters / Piroschka van de WouwA traditional parade in Scheveningen, Netherlands, on November 16, 2019.
A century-old Dutch holiday tradition involving St. Nicholas and his companion - Black Pete - has found itself at the center of yet another anti-racist campaign, all because Pete is a now nothing more than a blackface character!
The Netherlands traditionally celebrates the Arrival of Sinterklaas - or St. Nicholas -with annual street parades in early December. However, it isn't just cheerful, colorfully dressed festival-goers that will be taking to the streets this weekend, as dozens of protests take place across the country against what was once a children's holiday tradition.
It is not that the Dutch suddenly became disgruntled over a Christian saint with a long white beard greeting children ahead of Christmas. It is his companion that has been sparking uproar in some parts of society. Zwarte Piet - or Black Pete - is usually portrayed by people wearing full blackface, red lipstick, curly wigs and dressed in colorful costumes.
Black Pete hasn't always been all that warm and fuzzy. St. Nicholas' companion has come a long way from being a much more menacing character punishing poorly behaved children. He has been associated with Moors and even demons, according to some reports. Some also claim that he is nothing more than the legacy of the Dutch colonial past.
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