Ban 'racist Black Pete' Jesse Jackson writes Dutch PM Rutte

[webfact]

Ban 'racist Black Pete' Jesse Jackson writes Dutch PM Rutte

By Anthony Deutsch

 

FILE PHOTO: Reverend Jesse Jackson speaks to protesters who gathered to memorialize George Floyd, who died in Minneapolis police custody, at the scene of his arrest in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Adam Bettcher

 

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - U.S. civil rights leader Jesse Jackson has written Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte asking him to end the use of the pre-Christmas character "Black Pete," which Jackson called a racist relic of colonialism.

 

"I am writing to urge you to heed your moral conscience and do what you believe and know to be right," Jackson wrote to Rutte in a letter sent via the Dutch Embassy in Washington that was received in The Hague on Thursday.

 

The debate about Black Pete has gained momentum in the Netherlands in recent weeks as tens of thousands of anti-racism demonstrators protested the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and discrimination at home.

 

In the Dutch tradition, St. Nicholas arrives on Dec. 5 bringing gifts to children accompanied by numerous "Petes", clownish servants usually portrayed by white people in black face paint wearing frizzy wigs and red lipstick.

 

Rutte said in 2013 that "Black Pete is just black and I can't do much about that". But this month, he said his attitude had undergone "great changes" after meeting people, including "small children, who said: 'I feel terribly discriminated (against) because Pete is black'."

 

The prime minister added his government was not planning any legal action on the matter, but that "I expect in a few years there will be no more Black Petes."

 

Rutte's office confirmed it had received the letter, but had no additional comment.

 

Supporters argue that Black Pete is not meant to portray black skin colour, but chimney soot. Several large Dutch cities have replaced Black Pete with "rainbow" Petes in recent years, but the practice is still widespread.

 

"Black Pete cannot be separated from the very offensive tradition of black face in the United States. The December 5 tradition of Black Pete is seen as an offensive relic of colonial times," Jackson wrote.

 

"I believe with your moral leadership the good people of the Netherlands will respond positively to ban the offensive and racist Black Pete, for good. The whole world is watching," he said.

 

(Reporting by Anthony Deutsch; Editing by Peter Cooney)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-06-19

 

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[yuyiinthesky]

17 minutes ago, webfact said:

Supporters argue that Black Pete is not meant to portray black skin colour, but chimney soot.

Black Pete racist? Utter nonsense! Chimney soot is not racist, or is it now?

[Denim]

Next up , a change of name for the White House.

 

Suggestions on a post card.

[BobBKK]

Pathetic Jackson again.

[jvs]

Yes i am wondering where this will all end,every one is offended or feeling discriminated against!

I grew up with 'not white Pete'it is part of Dutch culture,leave it alone.

Just wondering what would happen if a well adjusted non white Dutch citizen wants to play black Pete?

They would have to paint him white?

 

[NanLaew]

I think Black Pete should be abolished.

 

Then the Dutch people can move on... and build a statue memorializing him.

[Jingthing]

Jesse Jackson is right about this but change is going to have to come from the Dutch themselves. 

[Susco]

When they gonna ban that white supremacist Santa Claus ?

 

Oh wait, I'm sure they are working on that.

Edited June 19, 2020 by Susco

[jvs]

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Jesse Jackson is right about this but change is going to have to come from the Dutch themselves. 

Why do you think JJ is right about this?

It is about a Dutch cultural childrens event,nothing to do with slavery.

Sure some one will feel offended,easy to do!

Grow up and get over it!

[vogie]

The cartoon movie of Aladin voiced over by the late Robin Williams is currently being screened by Sky Movies and carries a warning for sensitive viewers, "this film has outdated attitudes, language and cultural depictions which may cause offence today" Something gotta change.☹️????

[faraday]

1 hour ago, Denim said:

Next up , a change of name for the White House.

 

Suggestions on a post card.

Rainbow Unicorn....?

[robblok]

13 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Jesse Jackson is right about this but change is going to have to come from the Dutch themselves. 

The guy is wrong has no clue about this practice. I certainly am not racist never saw this as racist. Its just a tradition for kids. When we get older we know its not real. People can get offended about anything but this certainly has no racist meaning. Its a kids holiday for crying out loud. 

 

It has no relation to real black people at all, the stuff they wear is based on the clothes worn by nobility in the 16th century. They are spreading candy. So much for discrimination. 

 

If you want to fight discrimination go after real stuff, there is enough of it.

[baansgr]

Uncle Ben is going also....

[Susco]

Also banned in The Netherlands and other European countries.

 

Edited June 19, 2020 by Susco

[bendejo]

Will Arnold Schwarzenegger have to change his name?

 

 

[robblok]

Just for those people from other countries who have no real clue about this holiday its for little kids. 

 

We believe that the old guy is really on his horse riding on the roofs with his helpers distributing candy and presents. (positive role). The old guy in the story is forgetful and his helpers often more intelligent. So the white guy is set apart as being not that competent and the black helpers solving the problems. Guess who comes out looking good.

 

Kids love to meet both of them and are happy and adore all of them (how is that a negative thing). As we get older we learn the truth that this is all a made up story and we forget all about it. Just when we get kids we dress up again to make them laugh and happy with this tradition. 

 

There is no link to actual black or white people, its a fictional story based on a saint and his helpers. We don't try to emulate anything just have a feel good story for the kids every year something happens and the Saint is usually the one forgetting things while the black helpers safe the day. The kids are waiting each night to see more of the story on the TV. 

 

I get racism but sometimes people get offended by nothing. I am usually all against racism but then I am talking about true stuff like people with non Dutch names getting not invited to internships and that kind of bad stuff. If you want to adres racism go for real issues like that. Those are things that are real and should be worked on. 

[robblok]

7 minutes ago, bendejo said:

Will Arnold Schwarzenegger have to change his name?

 

 

They actually defaced one of his statues recently. Crazy IMHO.

[Bender Rodriguez]

1 minute ago, robblok said:

Just for those people from other countries who have no real clue about this holiday its for little kids. 

 

We believe that the old guy is really on his horse riding on the roofs with his helpers distributing candy and presents. (positive role). The old guy in the story is forgetful and his helpers often more intelligent. So the white guy is set apart as being not that competent and the black helpers solving the problems. Guess who comes out looking good.

 

Kids love to meet both of them and are happy and adore all of them (how is that a negative thing). As we get older we learn the truth that this is all a made up story and we forget all about it. Just when we get kids we dress up again to make them laugh and happy with this tradition. 

 

There is no link to actual black or white people, its a fictional story based on a saint and his helpers. We don't try to emulate anything just have a feel good story for the kids every year something happens and the Saint is usually the one forgetting things while the black helpers safe the day. The kids are waiting each night to see more of the story on the TV. 

 

I get racism but sometimes people get offended by nothing. I am usually all against racism but then I am talking about true stuff like people with non Dutch names getting not invited to internships and that kind of bad stuff. If you want to adres racism go for real issues like that. Those are things that are real and should be worked on. 

sadly in Holland, Belgium, France,  most racists people are BLACK & ARAB against the native white working population   (ja ik spreek Nederlands)

[robblok]

Just now, Bender Rodriguez said:

sadly in Holland, Belgium, France,  most racists people are BLACK & ARAB against the native white working population   (ja ik spreek Nederlands)

Not sure if I agree that they are racist against white people. I have no problems with the blacks and arabs. Not at all with those holding a normal job and contributing and paying taxes. Live and let live is my motto. I only have a problem with black's whites and others that live of welfare and don't try to get out of that cycle. 

 

Just a different view and yes there are arabs that are highly racists some blacks too. But i doubt its a majority just like the majority of white people are not racists. I seen the post of those arabs and blacks i just see them as their version of right extremists. You got idiots on both sides. 

[vogie]

12 minutes ago, bendejo said:

Will Arnold Schwarzenegger have to change his name?

 

 

Yes, from now on he will be known as Brian Schwarzenegger.

[H1w4yR1da]

I'd better not show Jesse Jackson my collection of Robertson's Jam gollywog lapel pins.

[Frenske]

The Netherlands used to be relaxed and easy-going multicultural society. Now some people feel offended over something that happened hundreds of years ago. How do you create racism? Divide a country in black and white and there it is. Don’t start a fire where there isn’t one.

Btw black Peet is the good guy and seen as a hero by the Dutch kids

Edited June 19, 2020 by Frenske
incompleet

[Jingthing]

46 minutes ago, robblok said:

The guy is wrong has no clue about this practice. I certainly am not racist never saw this as racist. Its just a tradition for kids. When we get older we know its not real. People can get offended about anything but this certainly has no racist meaning. Its a kids holiday for crying out loud. 

 

It has no relation to real black people at all, the stuff they wear is based on the clothes worn by nobility in the 16th century. They are spreading candy. So much for discrimination. 

 

If you want to fight discrimination go after real stuff, there is enough of it.

You can't see it because you grew up with it. 

Often outsiders have insights natives are blind to. 

[robblok]

11 minutes ago, Frenske said:

The Netherlands used to be relaxed and easy-going multicultural society. Now some people feel offended over something that happened hundreds of years ago. How do you create racism? Divide a country in black and white and there it is. Don’t start a fire where there isn’t one.

Btw black Peet is the good guy and seen as a hero by the Dutch kids

Yes strangely that is not mentioned by so many. I mean the white guy is forgetful makes a mistake and the black guy comes to safe the day. They are both worshiped by kids. Not sure how that is a bad thing. 

 

I said it before plenty of real racism going around. Go after that. It is funny how an American a country that has shown it has enough racism of its own has to go after a Dutch holiday. 

[robblok]

Just now, Jingthing said:

You can't see it because you grew up with it. 

Often outsiders have insights natives are blind to. 

Yea JT something you just read about a bit you know more as someone who has grown up with it. Great excuse. Ill say it again, the black guy is painted as the hero and saves the day. You have no clue about the stories or how it is celebrated.

 

You see some stories painted by the media by a black extremist like Jessy Jackson who has a history of going after things for his own financial gain while you have no clue what is actually done in the Netherlands. 

[ThailandRyan]

59 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Interesting to learn that chimney soot results in thick lips. 

Try to sell your excuses to someone else. 

Thick Lips really?, I know that Botox Does, so do we ban that as well, just like banning the Brazilian Butt Lift.  Where does the insanity stop?

[ThailandRyan]

11 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

You can't see it because you grew up with it. 

Often outsiders have insights natives are blind to. 

If everyone wants to do the right thing, based upon outsider insights, then maybe the US should give back the land taken from the Indians, the Spanish, The French, the English.  Maybe all of Europe should return to what it was prior to all of the wars, and claiming of land and empire building.  China to return land to those it conquered and even Russia to become what it was prior to the Czars.  Maybe all of those who came from slavery should also return to where there ancestors came from.  Like I said before when will all of the insanity stop?  Just a question, not a troll, nor is it 

[Jingthing]

Some background on this. 

 

The article mentions an aspect that perhaps most Dutch can't see but Americans can. 

 

The influence of racist minstrel show types of racial exaggerated stereotypes. Yes the blackface, exaggerated lips, etc. 

 

These minstrel show type representations of black people have been taboo in the USA for decades. 

 

But alive and well in Black Pete. Dutch go ahead and do what you want up to you of course but to try to continue to portray this as totally innocent I call BS.

 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/12/black-pete-christmas-zwarte-piet-dutch/

 

 

 

[Orton Rd]

2 hours ago, Denim said:

Next up , a change of name for the White House.

 

Suggestions on a post card.

Built by slaves- tear it down now!

[robblok]

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Some background on this. 

 

The article mentions an aspect that perhaps most Dutch can't see but Americans can. 

 

The influence of racist minstrel show types of racial exaggerated stereotypes. Yes the blackface, exaggerated lips, etc. 

 

These minstrel show type representations of black people have been taboo in the USA for decades. 

 

But alive and well in Black Pete. Dutch go ahead and do what you want up to you of course but to try to continue to portray this as totally innocent I call BS.

 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/12/black-pete-christmas-zwarte-piet-dutch/

 

 

 

Yes JT you as an outsider knows best. While you always seem to use your jewish background and experience to back your Israel stories up. Strange that when its about you you seem to know it better but discredit what other people live and experience.