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Madrid ends 'blacking up' post-Christmas tradition Madrid ends blacking up of characters in post-Christmas tradition
(35 minutes later)
Anti-racism campaigners in Spain and the Netherlands were celebrating on Thursday after two long-criticised traditions involving white faces being painted black were abolished.Anti-racism campaigners in Spain and the Netherlands were celebrating on Thursday after two long-criticised traditions involving white faces being painted black were abolished.
In Madrid, authorities promised to find a black person to play the role of Balthazar in this year’s post-Christmas Three Kings cavalcade, putting an end to a nearly four-decade tradition for the city’s biggest street parade. In Madrid, authorities promised to find a black person to play the role of Balthazar in this year’s post-Christmas three kings cavalcade, putting an end to a nearly four-decade tradition for the city’s biggest street parade.
“This change is much more than just anecdotal,” Socialist city councillor Mar Espinar said on Wednesday. Her party has spent years championing changes to the event. “Given the increasingly large community of colour in our city, it seems absurd that this role continues to be represented by a person with their face blackened.”“This change is much more than just anecdotal,” Socialist city councillor Mar Espinar said on Wednesday. Her party has spent years championing changes to the event. “Given the increasingly large community of colour in our city, it seems absurd that this role continues to be represented by a person with their face blackened.”
In recent years, various groups across Spain have joined in the push for change, including the more than 60,000 people who signed a petition last year urging Madrid city council to drop the practice. “It is senseless and unnecessary in this day and age for king Balthazar to be a white man painted black,” argued the petition.In recent years, various groups across Spain have joined in the push for change, including the more than 60,000 people who signed a petition last year urging Madrid city council to drop the practice. “It is senseless and unnecessary in this day and age for king Balthazar to be a white man painted black,” argued the petition.
Over in the Dutch city of the Hague, meanwhile, the school board said elementary schools would no longer use Santa helpers with painted black faces, another holiday tradition that had caused considerable offence. Over in the Dutch capital of The Hague meanwhile, the education board said elementary schools would no longer use Santa helpers with painted black faces, another holiday tradition that had caused considerable offence.
The move, which came after the United Nations called last month for the “Black Pete” practice to be modified to avoid reflecting negative stereotypes, is the broadest measure against the practice, and will affect more than 160 schools, Reuters reported.The move, which came after the United Nations called last month for the “Black Pete” practice to be modified to avoid reflecting negative stereotypes, is the broadest measure against the practice, and will affect more than 160 schools, Reuters reported.
A majority of Dutch people reject any suggestion that “Black Pete”, typically played by white people in blackface, is racist. But many others disagree. Starting this year, schools in The Hague will begin phasing out the use of blackface, curly hair wigs and red painted lips, with the changes to be completed within three years. They will be replaced with visually neutral Santa servants. A majority of Dutch people reject any suggestion that Black Pete, typically played by white people in blackface, is racist. But many others disagree. Starting this year, schools in The Hague will begin phasing out the use of blackface, curly hair wigs and red painted lips, with the changes to be completed within three years. They will be replaced with visually neutral Santa servants.
In the past Madrid city council, led by conservative People’s party mayor Ana Botella, had argued that the Spanish capital’s tradition was not rooted in racism but sheer necessity. Since the country’s return to democracy after the death of Franco, the city has used local politicians to play the role of the kings. “If there was a black councillor then we would have a black king, “ Botella explained to media. In the past Madrid city council, led by conservative People’s party mayor Ana Botella, had argued that the Spanish capital’s tradition was not rooted in racism but sheer necessity. Since the country’s return to democracy after the death of Franco, the city has used local politicians to play the role of the kings. “If there was a black councillor then we would have a black king,” Botella explained to reporters.
With the recent election of mayor Manuela Carmena and her leftist coalition Ahora Madrid, those pushing for change found a more receptive council.With the recent election of mayor Manuela Carmena and her leftist coalition Ahora Madrid, those pushing for change found a more receptive council.
“This Christmas, the cavalcade of the Three Kings will be a bit more natural in Madrid,” the city said in a statement on Wednesday. “In a nod to the integration and acceptance of the diversity that increasingly characterises Madrid, King Balthazar will be represented this year by a black person rather than someone characterised as such.” “This Christmas, the cavalcade of the three kings will be a bit more natural in Madrid,” the city said in a statement on Wednesday. “In a nod to the integration and acceptance of the diversity that increasingly characterises Madrid, King Balthazar will be represented this year by a black person rather than someone characterised as such.”
Madrid joins a growing list of Spanish municipalities who have taken action to address the controversial practice. But campaigners continue to push for changes across the country, in cities likes Almería and Pamplona, or in Marbella, where retired Dutch footballer Ruud Van Nistelrooy made international headlines in 2013 after posting a photo of himself onTwitter painted black to play the role of Balthazar as he visited a local hospital.Madrid joins a growing list of Spanish municipalities who have taken action to address the controversial practice. But campaigners continue to push for changes across the country, in cities likes Almería and Pamplona, or in Marbella, where retired Dutch footballer Ruud Van Nistelrooy made international headlines in 2013 after posting a photo of himself onTwitter painted black to play the role of Balthazar as he visited a local hospital.
“Black Pete”, typically played by white people in blackface, has become the focus of heated debate in the Netherlands. A majority of the Dutch reject any suggestion that the tradition is racist, but opponents say it is offensive. Starting this year, schools in The Hague will begin phasing out the use of blackface, curly hair wigs and red painted lips, with the changes to be completed within three years. They will be replaced with visually neutral Santa servants. Black Pete, typically played by white people in blackface, has become the focus of heated debate in the Netherlands. A majority of the Dutch reject any suggestion that the tradition is racist, but opponents say it is offensive. Starting this year, schools in The Hague will begin phasing out the use of blackface, curly hair wigs and red painted lips, with the changes to be completed within three years. They will be replaced with visually neutral Santa servants.
Many European winter gift-giving celebrations include a dark-faced sidekick accompanying St Nicolas (Santa Claus). The appearance of Black Pete is usually attributed to a popular book published in the mid-1800s. Many European winter gift-giving celebrations include a dark-faced sidekick accompanying Saint Nicolas. The appearance of Black Pete is usually attributed to a popular book published in the mid-1800s.
About 6% percent of the Dutch population is of African or Afro-Caribbean descent, a legacy in part of the European Union country’s colonial history. About 6% percent of the Dutch population is of African or Afro-Caribbean descent, a legacy in part of the country’s colonial history.
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination called last month for the elimination of aspects of Black Pete reflecting negative stereotypes. Last year, an Amsterdam court found that Black Pete was offensive, but the decision was overturned by the country’s highest administrative court. The UN committee on the elimination of racial discrimination called last month for an end to aspects of Black Pete reflecting negative stereotypes. Last year, an Amsterdam court found that Black Pete was offensive, but the decision was overturned by the country’s highest administrative court.