Al Jazeera: Should the Dutch ‘Black Pete’ tradition be abolished?
Many children in the Netherlands have grown up with the image of Black Pete, a helper for St Nicholas, an equivalent of Santa Claus.
The character is highly controversial, as the figure is usually portrayed by a white person wearing blackface makeup with exaggerated lips and an afro wig.
Black people say it is a racist caricature, but defenders say it is a harmless tradition.
In a year of Black Lives Matter protests, is it time to give up this divisive figure?
Presenter: Imran Khan
Guests:
Mitchell Esajas – Activist at the Anti-Black Pete Movement
Tracy Bibo-Tansia – Political scientist and activist focusing on gender and race
Patrick Vernon – Cultural historian
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