@Trausti It is not the same as "Blackface". It is not created to mock anyone, never was. Zwarte Piet is seen as an helper, almost an authority figure. Like a policemen that answers to the king. These days Zwarte Pieten are the smart and funny ones that make sure the birthdays of the old fragile (little bit senile) Sinterklaas go smoothly...
The origin stories are:
-It started because Sinterklaas lives in Spain, so his helpers came from Morocco.
-Sinterklaas is originaly from Turkey, so his helpers are too.
-The helpers used to be naughty Dutch kids whom were taking away to Spain, and grew up in the hot Spanish sun.
-These days it is supposed to be from chimney dust.
And that's why they're black. Ofcourse the USAmericans had to be all over it because they can't deal with their own racism troubles...
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@Trausti It is not the same as "Blackface". It is not created to mock anyone, never was. Zwarte Piet is seen as an helper, almost an authority figure. Like a policemen that answers to the king. These days Zwarte Pieten are the smart and funny ones that make sure the birthdays of the old fragile (little bit senile) Sinterklaas go smoothly...
The origin stories are:
-It started because Sinterklaas lives in Spain, so his helpers came from Morocco.
-Sinterklaas is originaly from Turkey, so his helpers are too.
-The helpers used to be naughty Dutch kids whom were taking away to Spain, and grew up in the hot Spanish sun.
-These days it is supposed to be from chimney dust.
And that's why they're black. Ofcourse the USAmericans had to be all over it because they can't deal with their own racism troubles...