Flight of the Bigot

In Holland there is no such thing as discrimination based on race (that is skin color). A law suit brought forward with the aim of seeking monetary compensation for 'race' discrimination is a waste of time. To win a case - never mind getting compensated - takes undeniable evidence of direct discrimination. That is, the bigots have to be ignorant enough to say something insulting and explain that they mean it that way or for them to repeat it, and the victim has to be smart enough to have a willing witness (or recording device) at hand. The few times that this has happened the victim might have won the case, but the little monetary compensation clearly shows what a waste of time the law suit has been.

No Black Pete List

Personally, I boycott all the stores that have Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) on display. If the owners of the store do not have the decency to not offend me as a customer, then they are in no need of my money. I am not paranoid about it, if I discover the display too late, or if I am dependent on one item from that store, I will not throw a tantrum. I will just make sure that I figure out where else to find the article. Thus, I protest with my money.

Article 1 of the Dutch Constitution

Article 1
All persons in the Netherlands shall be treated equally in equal circumstances. Discrimination on the grounds of religion, belief, political opinion, race or sex or on other grounds whatsoever shall not be permitted.

Article 1 of the Dutch Constitution stands for equality before the law and the prohibition of discrimination. However, when it comes to Sinterklaas en Zwarte Piet (Santa Claus and Black Pete) the Dutch act as if article 1 only applies to the white Dutch. They consider their blatant exhibition of racism in the form of their blackfaced Petes - and thus ridiculing Black people as a whole - as their constitutional right, instead of a violation of other people’s human rights. Especially the Black Dutch from the former Caribbean colonies are not entitled to equality before the law nor can they successfully claim protection against discrimination.

About No Black Pete

Thank you for visiting this site on racism in Holland (the Netherlands). The Dutch celebrate slavery in the form of adding Black Petes (blackfaced white people called 'Zwarte Piet') to their celebration of Santa Claus (Sinterklaas).