When Mandela, my symbol of Anti-Apartheid, died three years ago on the 5th of December, Sinterklaas celebration Day in Holland, I saw this as a sign that the (white)Dutch would start to understand how painful Black Piet, the helper of Sinterklaas, is for the black people living amongst them.
To the contrary, the Dutch are today more willing than ever to polarize the community by insisting to hold on to this symbol of tradition for them, totally ignoring the fact that the other side of this symbol is reminding others of their slavery background installed by the Dutch in their former colonies. All that we ask is please adjust Piet, not to abolish this childrensparty.
It saddens me that all those who dare to stand up are bullied badly like as kill the messenger. The media makes us believe that about 80% of the Dutch want to hold on to tradition and today some make Piet blacker than ever.
Yes we never commented before on this feast and celebrated it heartily because the vast majority of us was unaware and here and now we become aware and therefore ask for understanding. Let us Unite!