I'm sorry, but I just have to say this (as a black man): any time black people feel the need to be offended by something like this, and ask that it be changed so that they make themselves feel better, they have degraded themselves more than any other race of people could ever possibly have done. If you don't have the self-confidence to see yourself as you should, don't make it other peoples' work. A self-actualized person of colour would see this as nothing more than a tradition that means something to a people who have the right to maintain their traditions. That is all. As for people who feel they seek the higher moral ground speaking on behalf of black people, trust me: you are adding no actual value whatsoever.

@dannyeden6244

8 жыл бұрын

dude i love your comment its a tradition here thats diying off very quickly now. maybe because we get more and more foreign people here and they are intimedated by it and i always like the zawrte piet more then the creepy guy with the beardatleast they smile all the time

People shouldn't stop doing things because they offend someone.They must stop doing things as soon as they realize that they are acting silly. People who are offended don't have the right to censor anyone, but they have the duty to educate them to show how theirs actions are harmful. These were my 2 cents.

I love this type of documentary. I hope more of them come to youtube.

It all starts with a character who is black. OK? He's Black Pete (Zwarte Piet). This character is hugely popular, and does good things. He brings presents for the children, and gives them sweets. So we have a very positive character, who is black. Then we discover that some people want to ban the positive black character that all the children love. So maybe there is some racism involved. What's wrong with being black? Imagine if Santa Claus's elves were all, say, Chinese, and someone decided that we couldn't continue with Chinese elves, because if the elves come from a particular race, and if Santa Claus is in charge of them, then they must be slaves. After all, Chinese history is full of slavery - especially if you look hard enough.

Fascinating discussion. I love Djox's comment about everyone being racist & disciminatory and that your task is to judge your own judgement.

Not going to comment on the subject but just to say I'm really enjoying these videos as a new arrival to Amsterdam. They all seem like lovely, open-minded, interesting people. Thanks for putting these together.

If Sinterklaas would have been black and the Pieten would have been white, no one would say anything about it. I think complaining about things being racist is somewhat of a trend that has picked up over the last few years. But hey, I'm white so what would I know about racism... Back when I was a kid I was scared of Sinterklaas, but I loved Zwarte Piet, because he gave us candy, I feel so racist now :(

@ljcadg9543

9 жыл бұрын

Menno C. Same! I actually prefered Zwarte Piet over Sinterklaas considering they were the ones to make the presents, bring the presents, bring and make the candy and to actually give them. I remember that a community of Dutch expats (in which I was included) organized a Sinterklaas event with Zwarte Pieten in a restaurant and we sat on Sinterklaas' lap, one by one. When it was my go I was so scared I asked for a hand from one of the Zwarte Pieten when I did. Idk why, I was just freaked out by Sinterklaas. xD

@nvwest

7 жыл бұрын

The last line is me

8:18 Why the fuck are you comparing Zwarte Piet to crack???

I lived in Amsterdam for several years, it's not racist, to me he's a moor who helps Sinterklaas. People who object are making something out of nothing.

It's just for the children. Please don't complain.

This is a great commentary on culture itself, not Zwarte Piet. The person from the US can see nothing but racism in the practice. No surprise there. The Dutch struggle to balance individual freedom of expression against broader society. No surprise there. The Polish woman is very pragmatic - there's more important things in the world to worry about. Like Djox said "That's the thing... culture."

zwarte piet, is a fictional character, with a lore, not a history! the lore is that saint nicholas, a rich person, heard that 2 people wanted to marry, but because the man didn't had money, he couln't afford the dowry. so sint nicholas pushed a sack of money down the chimney. a couple of people saw him doing that, went up to him the next day and said, you made that couple very, very happy, and we want to help you create more of this joy. you have the wealth to buy presents and throw money around, and we have the strenght to get up these roofs and throw it down the chimney. and so on the birthday of saint nicholas, they decided, they are going to give everyone in the city a present. so they got presents and stored it in spain. why, idk. just cause its lore. but then saint nicholas got called to amsterdam to prepare for a chrismas speech, and so saint nicholas and his helpers decided, hey, why don't we just do it in Amsterdam then. and that is the story(as far as i know). so lets quit this endless debate. and yes we were one of the last country's to abolish slavery, and no i am not proud of any of that, at all!! we are aware of our legecy, and we are ashamed of what happened. we are. but, will somebode please think of the children!

Wonderful videos, keep them coming!

who cares if its black, yellow or green, just be happy...

My friend is in this. Well done.

Jovanka is empathic and intelligent. I appreciate her thoughts.

What a fantastic video. There is a whole world of controversy out there and here I am in NYC not paying any attention. They've stopped arguing about nativity scenes in the US and I was having withdrawals.

I love Jovanka and Michele!!! Thank youuuuu for speaking honestly!

Black Peter is not a slave or racism! He does not get whipped, is not being treated as a lesser human being because he is black and shouldn't be reason to be associated with racism! #BPaintRacist

@alivrelima7578

9 жыл бұрын

***** I take your point but racism nowadays is far more than physical violence

It's only offensive for the offended

I think children are not dumb and they can just form opinions based on what they learn. Children are a reflection of a future society so, saying that "it's just for the children" is the same as underestimating them. People can grow up with any sort of vision and everything start during the childhood. Racist or not, people should consider the real meaning of Zwarte Piet, go search for the roots and origins then analyse how it's being portrayed nowadays: did it become a contemporary version of a slave? Or is it totally different, with another meaning? As I saw in another youtube video, "race is an issue in the Netherlands bigger than Zwarte Piet." The impact it may cause, the controversies it arises also count.. and we should probably review our concepts instead of keep justifying/banning a long term tradition. For me, black, white, yellow whatever colour is it.."slaves of Santa" would not sound didactic anyway, nor judging everyone as racist would be a solution.

This video begins kind of neggative towards Zwarte Piet, but I like the seccond part more. I am with bartender Laurence on this, and also: "people shouln't take offence when no offence was meant.' An argument I also hear often is: "we are open to other countries. Everybody can live here, but don't try to change our culture because you don't understand it.' And I feel you Lawrence. Perfect quote: "I don't really like it when so many dumb people say so many dumb things.' NIce video.

How about they make white Petes to hand out gifts. Take off black pain, red lipstick, and curly hair and have a sit down with the kids explaining why it was wrong to have black pete. They will still have white pete to give them candy.

@FAinab1

9 жыл бұрын

If you don't get it, than you obviously don't know anything about history. Go educate yourself. #ignorance

@Xfemke710

9 жыл бұрын

But who plays the black piet then? I'm from a very small town, and everybody knows eachother. If you say to the children: "black piet isn't black anymore" they'll be very confused and when they see a white piet they'll be like: "hey that's not a real piet!". And it's just a few people that hate on zwarte piet. There are a lot of black people that grew up with zwarte piet that love him. It's just misunderstood for a lot of people.

@kevochallen283

9 жыл бұрын

how about leaving the Dutch traditions alone.Muna Naz

De tegenstanders van het KINDERFEEST moeten dan ook tegen gebruik zijn van specerijen die wij destijds uit de kolonie importeerden, koffie, peper, knoflook, nootmuskaat enz.

Christmas elves are even worse because they actually work as slaves in a toy factory!! :P The elves don't even go around the world together with Santa Claus. It's like they are imprisoned at the North Pole.

it does not have racist intent

if they make zwarte piet nog black but brown, thats fine to me, i really dont care, as long as Sinterklaas is still a thing

no big deal should be allowed its tradition

Best part: 15:33 - 16:14

history is racist you want us to ignore history?

@chifie1143

8 жыл бұрын

+Iwan Horchner No but history should stay history... If you'd repeat whole of history today this world would be doomed.

''There is more important things in life then zwarte piet'' Exactly, stop complaining about something that only effects a country that doesn't view it as offensive. Black face is part of american history leave ours alone.

I wonder if people would toss and turn on their fainting couches if zwarte piet were Muslim...

@alexysq2660

6 жыл бұрын

+Wyowanderer777: i LOVE your mention of "Fainting Couches"; SO, Marvellously, 'Bespoke'...!

Political correctness is killing the world.

I like this video, I don't see what dutch people would lose if "Piet" would be all the colours that humanity comes in, or an unrealistic colour because it's a figure from a fairytale for kids. I do however clearly see why this would hurt black people...

@kevochallen283

9 жыл бұрын

It's not your country so you have no right to tell the Dutch people that they need to change their traditions. It's people lie you that are ruining this world.ValsinarbAselp

What's more racist: black Pete or the KKK? I think a color, even a skin color, does not have anything to do with racism. But hé, I never liked this childrens festival anyway, not even as a kid. First parents lie to their children Sinterklaas and Black Pete really exist and when they get older the parents admit they have been lying all those years. I felt betrayed. So for my sake, please change the whole stupid festival if others are offended in anyway. It's not worth fighting over and the kids do not care at all which skin color black Pete has. It's the grown-ups who make a lot of fuzz about it.

Silly discussion which is in fact a diversion to all the very real bad things including slavery going on in the world right now. Also ... a racial stereotype all the little kids think is a REALLY nice guy, and is like your best friend. So if it is considered a racist "tool" it would be counterproductive.

Basically it's racist but who cares this is our country and is a American I can't argue with that. But my thing is that they have to lie about the origins because I know it's wrong. They dress in blackface in Columbia during carnival season I didn't like that but it's not my culture so I have no say so.