Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet
These two characters come into the Netherlands every December and give the country gifts and joy and they have done so for many years. The question remains though, when does tradition outweigh the change that our world has gone through? Or does it ever?
Abstract
This website details the Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas and his helper Zwarte Piet. These characters are a part of the Christmas time traditions in the Netherlands and their faces are shown and their stories are told throughout the country in the month of December. The country still goes through great lengths to celebrate these two icons- but there has been some questioning in recent years if they still should.
The controversy comes from the character Zwarte Piet, meaning Black Pete. During the time of celebration, many people will dress up like him, which includes for some dawning a face of black paint. This website goes into detail on the history of this tradition, what it is and what it means to the Dutch, and if that tradition outweighs the advances that society has made in more recent years.
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