Black Peter protests in Gouda (1 Viewer)

[Christo]

90 arrested amid protest over ‘racist’ Dutch ‘Black Pete’ festivalDutch police have arrested up to 90 people as protesters clashed at a traditional ‘Black Pete’ festival in Gouda. Demonstrators view the celebrations as racist due to the character’s traditionally blackened face and Afro wig.

On Saturday, "Sixty people were arrested for demonstrating in unauthorized areas, and 30 for disturbing the peace" during children’s festivities, police spokeswoman Yvette Verboon told AFP.

The demonstrators in Gouda were divided into two camps, both for and against the ‘Black Pete’character. “Arrests were made on both sides," Verboon said.

Scuffles between people supporting and protesting the historical Christmas figure began when Saint Nicholas came out on to the balcony of the main square and protesters held up a banner, saying:"Black Pete Racism".

The racial debate has been gaining traction in the Netherlands. Many have argued that the traditional Christmas figure, known as Saint Nicholas’ sidekick, is a colonial racist stereotype. Black Pete’ is usually played by a white person, who paints his face black, lips bright red and dons an Afro-style wig.



"Some black kids feel hurt at this time of year," said one protester. "It's a real shame that in a civilized country, in 2014, you still have to defend equality,” a man at the procession who gave his name as Knoledge told AFP.

Meanwhile, supporters of ‘Black Pete’ argue that the figure is part of their cultural heritage, making him an integral part of Christmas celebrations. In terms of blackened faces, they adopt the view that Black Pete just came out of the chimney after delivering gifts, which is why his face is pitch black.

"This is how I celebrate, how my grandmother and grandfather and parents celebrated, and I don't think it's racist,” said one of the supporters of the tradition.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte expressed deep disappointed at the violence. "Everyone can talk about Black Pete's color but you can't disturb a children's party like that," he told NOS.

Earlier, Rutte said the community should resolve this issue, not politicians. "Personally, I think he can stay black. But this is a matter for the community. It is not a task for politics.”

Local policymakers have been discussing the idea of trying out other Black Pete versions, including orange, yellow and even rainbow.

http://rt.com/news/205935-dutch-christmas-festival-arrests/

I likes me some gouda.

 

[koby925]

The Kardashians think this protest is no Gouda.

 

[Hilts]

http://thyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/BlackPete44.jpg

 

[cstu]

Black Pete’ is usually played by a white person, who paints his face black, lips bright red and dons an Afro-style wig.



"Some black kids feel hurt at this time of year," said one protester. "It's a real shame that in a civilized country, in 2014, you still have to defend equality,” a man at the procession who gave his name as Knoledge told AFP.

Meanwhile, supporters of ‘Black Pete’ argue that the figure is part of their cultural heritage, making him an integral part of Christmas celebrations. In terms of blackened faces, they adopt the view that Black Pete just came out of the chimney after delivering gifts, which is why his face is pitch black.

 

[3C's]

Black Pete’ is usually played by a white person, who paints his face black, lips bright red and dons an Afro-style wig.



"Some black kids feel hurt at this time of year," said one protester. "It's a real shame that in a civilized country, in 2014, you still have to defend equality,” a man at the procession who gave his name as Knoledge told AFP.

Meanwhile, supporters of ‘Black Pete’ argue that the figure is part of their cultural heritage, making him an integral part of Christmas celebrations. In terms of blackened faces, they adopt the view that Black Pete just came out of the chimney after delivering gifts, which is why his face is pitch black.

Guess the chimney gives him a perm too.

 

[Mr. Retukes]

http://thyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/BlackPete44.jpg

Wow. I feel sorry for all the people who consider those images to be a fond childhood memory.

"bij de nikkers" indeed.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Sounds pretty cheesy to me.

 

[mquinnjr]

I had a woman I worked with from Belgium tell me about her kids being visited by Sinter Klaas, they leave their shoes out and get treats if they are good. I asked if they got coal if they were bad. "No, you are visited by Zwerte Piet, he is for the bad children." What's that I ask, having never heard of this. "He has the black face!"

I google it, and , racism alive and well in Western Europe.

 

[otello]

We get coal here.

http://www.maciverinstitute.com/2012/12/coal-is-racist/

 

[SacramentoBob]

http://thyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/BlackPete44.jpg

Wow. I feel sorry for all the people who consider those images to be a fond childhood memory.

"bij de nikkers" indeed.

Part eight originally published under the title Oki Doki and the s and the s and Oki Doki.

 

[cstu]

I had a woman I worked with from Belgium tell me about her kids being visited by Sinter Klaas, they leave their shoes out and get treats if they are good. I asked if they got coal if they were bad. "No, you are visited by Zwerte Piet, he is for the bad children." What's that I ask, having never heard of this. "He has the black face!"

I google it, and , racism alive and well in Western Europe.

"Were you go this year?"

 

[HellToupee]

if the character is so important why not have a black man play black pete?

some of these petes are creepy

 

[Fennis]

if the character is so important why not have a black man play black pete?

petes

cutest pete locally, top pete at the rally

 

[Tom Servo]

Western Europeans are racist? You don't say....

 

[HellToupee]

when was last time some entertainer appeared inblack face here? 70s maybe?

 

[Mr. Retukes]

when was last time some entertainer appeared inblack face here? 70s maybe?

Ted Danson, 1993, Julianne Hough, 2013

 

[HellToupee]

when was last time some entertainer appeared inblack face here? 70s maybe?

Ted Danson, 1993, Julianne Hough, 2013

Forgot about Danson . Whoopi & him weren't thinking straight there.

 

[HellToupee]

Australia

In October 2009, a talent-search skit on Australian TV's Hey Hey It's Saturday reunion show featured an Australian tribute group for Michael Jackson, the "Jackson Jive" in blackface, with the Michael Jackson character in whiteface. American performer Harry Connick, Jr. was one of the guest judges and objected to the act, stating that he believed it was offensive to black people, and gave the troupe a score of zero. The show and the group later apologized to Connick, with the troupe leader of Indian descent stating that the skit was not intended to be offensive or racist.[119]

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Lik ye ballen niet,

sagt swarte Pete.

 

[Mr. Retukes]

This was a popular TV show in England in the 1970s.

videos

 

[Henry Ford]

Australia

In October 2009, a talent-search skit on Australian TV's Hey Hey It's Saturday reunion show featured an Australian tribute group for Michael Jackson, the "Jackson Jive" in blackface, with the Michael Jackson character in whiteface. American performer Harry Connick, Jr. was one of the guest judges and objected to the act, stating that he believed it was offensive to black people, and gave the troupe a score of zero. The show and the group later apologized to Connick, with the troupe leader of Indian descent stating that the skit was not intended to be offensive or racist.[119]

I can't even imagine the look on Harry Connick, Jr.'s face watching that.

 

[GoFishTN]

Australia

In October 2009, a talent-search skit on Australian TV's Hey Hey It's Saturday reunion show featured an Australian tribute group for Michael Jackson, the "Jackson Jive" in blackface, with the Michael Jackson character in whiteface. American performer Harry Connick, Jr. was one of the guest judges and objected to the act, stating that he believed it was offensive to black people, and gave the troupe a score of zero. The show and the group later apologized to Connick, with the troupe leader of Indian descent stating that the skit was not intended to be offensive or racist.[119]

I can't even imagine the look on Harry Connick, Jr.'s face watching that.

Now you don't have to imagine.

 

[Fariq]

Gouda, gowda. I can't stop saying words!

 

[jon_mx]

So this is not a celebration of black penises?

 

[El Floppo]

Mmmmm.. smoked gouda.

 

[HellToupee]

Australia

In October 2009, a talent-search skit on Australian TV's Hey Hey It's Saturday reunion show featured an Australian tribute group for Michael Jackson, the "Jackson Jive" in blackface, with the Michael Jackson character in whiteface. American performer Harry Connick, Jr. was one of the guest judges and objected to the act, stating that he believed it was offensive to black people, and gave the troupe a score of zero. The show and the group later apologized to Connick, with the troupe leader of Indian descent stating that the skit was not intended to be offensive or racist.[119]

I can't even imagine the look on Harry Connick, Jr.'s face watching that.

Now you don't have to imagine.

oof