I learned about this from these two /. avatars:
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — The Soapbox
CrystalRaindrops — 3 years ago(January 02, 2023 01:48 AM)
I learned about this from these two /. avatars:
https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/data.filmboards/christmas/102.jpg
https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/data.filmboards/christmas/105.jpg
Zwarte Piet, also known in English by the translated name Black Pete, is the companion of Saint Nicholas in the folklore of the Low Countries. The earliest known illustration of the character comes from an 1850 book by Amsterdam schoolteacher Jan Schenkman in which he was depicted as a black Moor from Spain.
Those portraying the traditional version of Zwarte Piet usually put on blackface and colourful Renaissance attire in addition to curly wigs and bright red lipstick.
The Dutch are rapidly turning against the use of blackface for a popular festive character, with young people in particular saying it has no place in modern society, a survey showed Friday.
Zwarte Piet, or Black Pete, is the sidekick of Sinterklaas, or Saint Nicholas, whose feast day is celebrated in early December with presents and family celebrations – but his appearance has met increasing opposition.
Only one third (33 percent) of people now believe that Piet should sport his traditional costume of a jet-black painted face, red lips, an afro wig and large gold earring, the survey of 1,457 Dutch adults by I&O research said.
Six years ago when the first survey was carried out 65 percent of Dutch believed that the character should remain in blackface, the researchers said.
Support has even decreased from last year's 38 percent, the researchers said.
Four percent said the character should be completely abolished while 55 percent said his appearance should change – whether gradually or immediately to a so-called 'Chimney Pete' with soot smears on the cheeks, or to no skin paining at all.
Protests by anti-racism campaigners have become a yearly occurrence during parades to mark the "arrival" of Sinterklaas in the Netherlands in November.
While there has been a noticeable increase in soot-smeared Piets in recent years, characters in full blackface can still be seen dancing through major cities.
Zwarte Piet is also traditional in neighbouring Belgium.
The survey said young Dutch people were especially opposed to the blackface tradition, with support dropping from 34 percent in 2018 to 19 percent this year in the 18-34 age group.
"I used to think nothing strange about Zwarte Piet, but in retrospect it is quite strange," the survey quoted one unnamed young adult as saying.
Dutch people with heritage from the Netherlands' former Caribbean and South American colonies were also strongly opposed, with 25 percent in favour of Zwarte Piet and 17 percent in favour of complete abolition.
Support also divided along political lines, with a large majority (79 percent) of voters for the far-right parties of anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders and pro-Kremlin Covid conspiracist Thierry Baudet wanting to keep the character in blackface.
The Netherlands has recently been reckoning with its history as a colonial and slave-trading power, and is reportedly set to make a formal apology for slavery later in December. -
hungryinconway — 3 years ago(January 02, 2023 02:26 AM)
He was in really poor health. I remember on numerous occasions that he made some weird posts describing having strokes or something, thinking he was going to die, and asking if he should go to the hospital, instead of, you know, just going. Some people probably thought he was trolling but turns out he wasn't.
The Lion does not give a fuck. Bring. More. Sheep. -
WarrenPeace — 3 years ago(January 02, 2023 02:09 PM)
I think you were just posting an unusual story to be sharing something based on an avatar that piqued your curiosity.
You rarely, if ever, get political and do all you can to avoid arguments and confrontation.
Though sometimes I think you may subliminally suggest something left wingish in what you share.
To me this black face looks a lot more tame and not meant to mock as others have.
Though I do wonder why they don't have a black person instead.
Are there not enough and they can't find one?
"Please vote to preserve the unique character of Warren…" - Robert Duvall -
CrystalRaindrops — 3 years ago(January 02, 2023 08:06 AM)
The earliest known illustration of the character comes from an 1850 book by Amsterdam schoolteacher Jan Schenkman in which he was depicted as a black Moor from Spain.
Who were the black Moors of Spain?
The Moors were Muslims who invaded Spain and part of France in 711 AD, in the very early days of Islam.
Beginning in the Renaissance, “Moor” and “blackamoor” were also used to describe any person with dark skin.
Schrodinger's Cat walks into a bar, and doesn't. 
