Black Santa
12.19.5
Politically correct.
It almost seems like a contradiction in terms sometimes, doesn't it?
Friday morning I watched a co-worker make a phone call to the Aurora Mall. He was trying to ascertain whether the traditional "White Santa" would be there that night, or if the newer "Black Santa" would be. Apparently both versions now take turns asking the children of Aurora what they would like for Christmas.
It was actually a rather entertaining conversation. He seemed to have dialed the phone before it had really occurred to him what he was about to ask. "Uh, yes...I was just calling to find out..."
The words stuttered to a halt, then a moment of silence.
"To find out if," he continued in a slightly less exuberant voice, "If, uh...how do I put this? Um...I understand that you have...different 'versions' of Santa, and..."
It continued on like this for a while. It was quite possibly the most awkward few minutes of conversation I've ever heard in my life. I suppose he had good reason to approach the question with caution. These days it seems people can take offense to anything. For a man to express a preference to a white Santa over a black Santa could be seen by some as actually being racist.
Frankly, I think the whole thing was ridiculous. Not his conversation. I might have done the same thing. What's ridiculous about it is the fact that black Santa even exists in the first place.
Santa is white.
This isn't an issue of opinion. Santa is a specific character created a long time ago. He is fat. He is old. He has a beard. He wears a suit of red. When he laughs his belly shakes like a bowl full of fucking jelly, and he...is...white.
The logic in creating a black Santa seems flawed in its entirety to me. The concept of racism is based around the idea that each race is not equal. To create a black Santa implies that a black child cannot relate to a white Santa. That right there is an almost racist philosophy. It seems to convey to children that, "Yes Virginia...race does matter."
It all seems like a step backwards to me. I can't help but think about the old days of segregation when I hear about it.
The whole thing is about as petty and unnecessary as requesting a black Donald Duck at Disney World.*
But I suppose this isn't what the holidays are all about. I shouldn't be going on about racism when there are so many other things that make Christmas what it is.
For example...religious intolerance.
This year has sparked a national debate over the stupidest thing imaginable: The words "Merry Christmas."
Apparently there are people out there who are honestly offended by the term "Merry Christmas." They prefer the God-free version, "Happy Holidays." Some Christians, on the other hand, are offended by the usage of this potentially blasphemous phrase.
What I'd really like to know is when we, as a society, became so sensitive that anyone really gives a fuck about such things. Here's my advice...
- To the "Happy Holidays" camp: Christmas is a real day. Whether you believe in Jesus, Buddha, or no God at all...Christmas does indeed exist. Get over it.
- To the "Merry Christmas" camp: Guess what? Christmas is a holiday. There are also other holidays besides yours. It is perfectly accurate to call this time of year "the holidays."
I just think it's high time that both sides did the world a favor and shut the fuck up, because the simple fact is this:
If you have the ability to be pissed off about the semantics behind how somebody wishes you a joyous season...
THEN YOU'RE MISSING THE FUCKING POINT!
God bless us...every one.
*By viewing this entry you agree to never request a black Donald Duck at Disney World.
The bottom line is that Santa is a fictional character who is well-known for his appearance. While you and I know that he is not real, millions of parents around the country let their kids believe that he is. When these kids go to the mall, they expect to be seeing the real Santa. Why ruin that entertaining little fantasy by seeing a Santa that doesn't look like the "real" one they've come to know from 99% of the pictures and drawings they see? It seems like their fun is potentially being ruined, just because of the idea that a black child cannot possibly relate to a white Santa.
Now, my issue with it isn't mainly about race...it's about the costume. I don't see a black Santa as being any different than a Santa who doesn't have a beard, or has red hair, or is wearing a green suit, or is a woman, or is a midget, or is skinny. It has nothing to do with my disliking any of those people, it's just a matter of fitting the qualifications of the job, which in this case is simply being nice and looking the part.
I don't necessarily think my point of view is a strictly "white" one either, as before I wrote this, a black co-worker I discussed the subject with actually agreed with me.
Essentially, my point is this: I don't feel that it's offensive or racist to want a white Santa, because it actually serves the purpose of keeping kids believing in him. On the other hand, requesting a black Santa seems to be rooted in the idea that black and white people can't completely get along.
Imagine going to, say, a comic book convention and finding that all the black superheroes (which there really aren't enough of) were being played by white actors...not because they couldn't find actors that were the same race as the characters, but because they felt that the white clientele wouldn't be able to "relate" to black actors. That would obviously be pretty messed up, but it seems like the same thing to me...
I understand that there's an obviously disproportionate amount of white characters to black characters when it comes to things like this. I just don't know if I think the proper solution is to confuse the issue for kids by occasionally changing the generally accepted race of a pre-existing character.
You very well might disagree with me, which is certainly alright. Once again, though, I do appreciate the comments. It's interesting to see just how differently people can see things.
OH AND ONE MORE THING. ALWAYS REMEMBER WE AS PARENTS ARE THE ONES THAT ARE RESPONSABLE FOR HOW OUR KIDS LOOK AT COLOR. THEY COULD CARE LESS IF SANTA WAS GREEN. yOU ARE LOOKING AT THIS THROUGH THE EYES OF AN ADULT. I COME FROM A FAMILY WHERE WE HAVE WHITE AND BLACK PEOPLE IN IT BECAUSE OF MARRIAGE . I HAVE WATCHED MY CHILDREN GROW UP WITH THERE WHITE COUSINS WHO HAVE NEVER EVEN NOTICED THAT THEY WERE ANY DIFFERNET FROM EACH OTHER. tHEY HAVE TO BE TAUGHT THAT IN "YOUR OPINION IT WOULD BE RIDICULOUS TO TAKE A PIC WITH A BLACK SANTA" SO LIKE I SAID IS PERSONALITY TRAITS LIKE YOURS THAT SHAPE THE MINDS OF THE CHILDREN THAT WE RAISE. I DONT THINK THAT CHILDREN TAKE THE ISSUE SO SERIOUSLY ABOUT WHAT COLOR SANTA IS , ITS THE PARENTS AND THE PEERS THAT INFLUENCE THE WAY OUR CHILDREN LOOK AT THE WORLD. AND IN A WAY..................
YOUR MY PRIME EXAMPLE
Cutaia has explained this matter in his journal entry as well as his comment to you.
I myself have grown up with black and white generations. Yes, it doesn't mean anything because we were taught that it doesn't. He's just making a point that when a character is a certain way and children know it to be a certain way.. then it should be that way(It's called routine). It seems that you're getting mad because you think it's over race.
If this was a different entry about a green action figure that now comes in purple.. you probably wouldn't have left a comment.
The fact that santa is a different way because people would feel more comfortable that way is... wouldn't that seem more racist?
I mean it's kinda funny that word still exists.
So I don't think we should be teaching our kids anything other than that racism shouldn't exist anymore, santa isn't real, it's not jesus's birthday.. and christmas is about giving and loving one another and your neighbor. I think they'd like that Christmas alot more.
p.s.
Please don't type in all capitols.. it makes you seem ignorant.
P.S. you make the statement about how christmas is about loving and giving , well if your black neighbor wants a black santa, then what the hell is wrong with giving them one.
Peace to you anyway because i have better things to do than argue with you and brain about black santa. Just trying to give Brain a liitle input about the situation. We learm from each other thats why i liked this webiste because i liked some of the points that he made but fuck it and your insults...... im out