tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1143389595794958701.post3741381104001128379..comments2019-12-01T02:00:21.308-08:00Comments on Press Pass: Sinterklaas & Zwart PietUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1143389595794958701.post-50055832384505110472007-12-02T18:26:00.000-08:002007-12-02T18:26:00.000-08:00Greg: Black Pete was not a slave. He was a Moor, a...Greg: Black Pete was not a slave. He was a Moor, a Muslim / Arab, from Spain. The Moors were (are) dark-skinned, more brown than black. Painting one's face to portray Black Pete is not in the least bit racist; it's an accepted form of costuming in the theatrical world. No disrespect is intended towards black, brown, or polkadot people. It's a coincidence that it resembles, or reminds some people, of "black face" from Vaudeville. Remember, you're in Europe now, not the USA with its racial hang-ups!<BR/><BR/>By the way, Sinter Klaas (Santa Claus) was St. Nicholas, who was from Turkey: another Middle Easterner, just like Black Pete. And yet these guys help us celebrate Christmas!<BR/><BR/>I was in Holland when I was three and I remember vividly when Klaas and Pete came to the home where we were staying. I noticed that Pete's face was black, but his hands weren't, so I knew he wasn't real; that ruined it all for me on some level and probably helped me figure out that Santa Claus wasn't exactly real ahead of schedule. <BR/><BR/>BTW, we then continued on to Germany for Christmas eve and hiked out into the forest in the snow to cut down the tree on Christmas eve. We put it up in the living room of our friends' house where we were staying and put real, burning candles all over it! Since the tree was freshly cut down and all green, it wasn't likely to catch fire. Good memories!<BR/><BR/>PS Speaking of European Christmas traditions, what I really don't understand is the "Christkind" thing in Germany! Now THAT is weird!Chris Kostmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05056622357667732064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1143389595794958701.post-66154354672580408092007-11-21T13:59:00.000-08:002007-11-21T13:59:00.000-08:00Hey Presslers! Happy Thanksgiving to you guys. Den...Hey Presslers! Happy Thanksgiving to you guys. <BR/><BR/>Dennis McMinnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1143389595794958701.post-60188574679937369382007-11-21T07:08:00.000-08:002007-11-21T07:08:00.000-08:00Happy Thanksgiving!The BatchensHappy Thanksgiving!<BR/><BR/>The BatchensLisa Smith-Batchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17344992789207537587noreply@blogger.com