Racial tensions flared Saturday in the Netherlands’ city of Gouda. Gouda, home of the famous Dutch cheese with the same name, celebrated the arrival of Sinterklaas (aka Saint Nicholas & Santa Claus). The Dutch Santa Claus walked with not one but two newly designated sidekicks; “Cheese Pete” and “Cookie Pete.”

Traditionally, black-faced sidekick Black Pete is part of the Dutch Saint Nicholas celebrations. According to the Associated Press:

“Around this time of year, Saint Nicholas visits hundreds of villages in Belgium and Holland, arriving by steamer or on his white horse to the delight of shrieking children across the two countries. The Black Petes do everything from carrying presents to throwing sweets at the children and generally prancing about until Saint Nicholas day on Dec. 6.

Black Pete has evolved over the years. A quarter century ago, Black Pete was a scary character, carrying a big bag to hold naughty children and a whip to punish the disobedient. Promoting him in recent years as a happy-go-lucky sidekick full of quirky madness has helped him to compete in popularity with Saint Nicholas himself.”

The city of Gouda, anticipating this year’s Black Pete backlash, introduced the “Cheese Pete” and “Cookie Pete” substitutes in hopes of reducing public protests. However, 90 demonstrators were arrested by Dutch authorities during Saturday’s Saint Nicholas festivities.

Is Black Pete a Christmas tradition worth keeping? Is Black Pete a racist caricature, or is it Santa’s harmless sidekick? The protests against Black Pete are not a new phenomenon. Around this time last year the UN reviewed the racist claims. Its special UNESCO agency told the Dutch their Santa Claus traditions will not be interfered with by the UN.

Protestors claim the black-faced Black Pete is a racial stereotype that reflects negative undertones associated with Netherlands’ colonial past. Black Pete has become an emotionally stirring debate on which the Dutch government has yet to officially comment.

What do you think? Is it time to end the Black Pete Christmas tradition?

[Photo Credit: Wikimedia]