Black Pete



The time of year has again arrived in The Netherlands that we’re looking forward to our annual Sinterklaas
tradition. Especially the children are looking forward to the arrival of Sinterklaas as this means candy and
presents. What’s not to like about that when you’re a child? For us adults it’s fun to see all this as we remember
how it was for us when we were little. Every adult also knows someone who has helped as a Zwarte Piet
or Sinterklaas. These are roles that are taken very seriously as we have fond memories of this tradition.
Especially of Zwarte Piet who always was fun to be around, especially as that was the person you could
get candy from (they often carry really big bags filled with candy).

Foreigners are often shocked at how Zwarte Piet looks. Especially with the blackened faces and red lipstick
that’s used for the Zwarte Piet costumes, it’s very reminiscent of the racist blackface. For foreigners
visiting my country this is often quite shocking and people are complaining that this is a racist tradition.
But when you say that Zwarte Piet is racist to a Dutch man or woman you often just get a confused look.
For most of us it’s not racist towards those of colour. It is like saying to an American that Santa’s
elves is a derogatory tradition that mocks those with dwarfism. That would earn you an equally
confused look from the American you said it to.

The discussion in The Netherlands about the tradition being racist is still going on. I will not go into that.