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Dutch Sinterklaas Debate Continues
KOZP protests against remaining instances of racially insensitive depictions of Sinterklaas' helpers in the Netherlands, despite the widespread adoption of roetveegpieten.
Dutch
Netherlands
Human Rights ViolationsNetherlandsGender IssuesProtestRacismTraditionSinterklaas
Nos NieuwsNtrKozp (Kick Out Zwarte Piet)Sinterklaascomités
Jerry AfriyieSumeyye ErsoyEdwin BoomstraBart Kester
- What are KOZP's future plans and their reasoning behind them?
- KOZP, after ten years of activism, will disband next year. Their current efforts are focused on the remaining locations that haven't adopted fully inclusive Sinterklaas celebrations, emphasizing the need for societal change.
- How have different municipalities responded to KOZP's concerns?
- Several towns initially planned on using blackface pieten but changed their plans to roetveegpieten after conversations with KOZP. Others, already using roetveegpieten, were surprised to be included on KOZP's list of problem areas.
- What is KOZP's position on the current situation and their planned actions?
- KOZP (Kick Out Zwarte Piet) is protesting the continued use of roetveegpieten in some areas, citing elements like lipstick and earrings as still being racially insensitive. They're targeting towns that haven't fully embraced a racism-free Sinterklaas celebration.
- What are KOZP's specific demands concerning the depiction of Sinterklaas' helpers?
- KOZP's demands include eliminating red lipstick, earrings, and afrop wigs for pieten and removing imagery of Zwarte Piet from signs and banners. They aim for a representation that avoids racist caricatures.
- What is the current status of the portrayal of Sinterklaas' helpers in the Netherlands?
- The Sinterklaasjournaal, a Dutch children's program, features roetveegpieten (soot sprites) instead of the traditional blackface Zwarte Piet. This change, implemented in 2019, aims to address racial concerns.