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I spotted these people “blacked up” and selling chocolate bars at a railway station in the Netherlands recently. I was taken aback because this would generally be considered racist in the UK. But is it racist behaviour in other cultures and situations?
There are a number of definitions of racism, see the Childline definitions and wikipedia.
My own concern is that the sales staff from Droste Chocolates have not only blacked up their faces but they are dressed as simpletons, possibly clowns. This reinforces my impression that there is an element of “having fun at the expense of another group”. A different impression would be given if they were dressed as Grace Jones clones, say. This is strange marketting from a company that aspires to sell high quality chocolate. It is a big name Dutch company that has an effect named after it.
Filed under: Europe • Netherlands • (4) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink • Bookmark or Share
Gosh, thanks kipperfrog. That link explains a lot!
Don’t they represent Zwart Piet, helpers of St Nicholas (Sinterklaas)?
Yes, exactly! I had never heard of him before.
That’s a funny coincidence, I was just reading this..
http://www.kimhongunplugged.com/2009/11/is-sinterklaas-racist.html
and then I saw your post too!