In Holland on Dec 5th the figure of Sinterklaas appears. This man has helpers who give out gifts to children. The helpers are called 'Zwarte Piet' - Black Pete in English - and are usually white people with blacked up faces, highlighted red lips, and big earrings. Whether or not this tradition is racist has been the subject of ongoing debate; for a summary there have been recent articles in The New Yorker, The Economist, and most major newspapers.
I suggest that this is a tradition that is rooted in racism and continues to promote it. Here are the common arguments against my position:
- "It's an old tradition that has been going on for centuries". This is not relevant to whether the tradition is racist. Historical precedent is meaningless here. Slavery was a tradition with a long history. Likewise pogroms against Jews, denying the vote to women, ritual stoning to death of adulterers, etc.
- "As an outsider you're in no position to comment". In fact outsiders are often the best observers. My own flaws - so hidden from me - are most often pointed out to me by others. As with individuals, so with societies. Frequently the scrutiny of the outside world brings unpleasant practices to light. An analogous argument could be used equally poorly with outside condemnation of FGM, for example.
- "You don't hear Dutch people complaining". For a start, some do (and have received abuse and death threats for their efforts). Second, people may be afraid to raise the issue as it's such a widely accepted tradition. And of course the majority, the most vocal, and most powerful are all white, and thus unlikely to feel belittled and marginalised by the tradition.
- "Dutch black people don't mind". Really? Some have raised objections to the spectacle. And just because they don't rally against it doesn't mean that they are happy about it.
Two thought experiments can help with traditions that might be racist:
First, would it be possible to institute this tradition today? Or has culture moved on to a point where initiating it would be impossible?
Second, what if the races were changed? How about if Black Pete was in fact Jewish Pete, with a cartoonish big nose, skullcap and star of David? Or if Black Pete was Brown Pete - a caricature of an Indian?
Cultural change is painful. It's a jumpy process, not one of smooth transition. But cultural identity can be retained without the need to cling on to outdated racist traditions. It's time for Zwarte Piet to go.
I suggest that this is a tradition that is rooted in racism and continues to promote it. Here are the common arguments against my position:
- "It's an old tradition that has been going on for centuries". This is not relevant to whether the tradition is racist. Historical precedent is meaningless here. Slavery was a tradition with a long history. Likewise pogroms against Jews, denying the vote to women, ritual stoning to death of adulterers, etc.
- "As an outsider you're in no position to comment". In fact outsiders are often the best observers. My own flaws - so hidden from me - are most often pointed out to me by others. As with individuals, so with societies. Frequently the scrutiny of the outside world brings unpleasant practices to light. An analogous argument could be used equally poorly with outside condemnation of FGM, for example.
- "You don't hear Dutch people complaining". For a start, some do (and have received abuse and death threats for their efforts). Second, people may be afraid to raise the issue as it's such a widely accepted tradition. And of course the majority, the most vocal, and most powerful are all white, and thus unlikely to feel belittled and marginalised by the tradition.
- "Dutch black people don't mind". Really? Some have raised objections to the spectacle. And just because they don't rally against it doesn't mean that they are happy about it.
Two thought experiments can help with traditions that might be racist:
First, would it be possible to institute this tradition today? Or has culture moved on to a point where initiating it would be impossible?
Second, what if the races were changed? How about if Black Pete was in fact Jewish Pete, with a cartoonish big nose, skullcap and star of David? Or if Black Pete was Brown Pete - a caricature of an Indian?
Cultural change is painful. It's a jumpy process, not one of smooth transition. But cultural identity can be retained without the need to cling on to outdated racist traditions. It's time for Zwarte Piet to go.
