Let me be clear about one thing: some things are very important and need attention. While others, such as this, should not be an issue. I'm a huge believer in Santa and Christmas and even the Ginger Bread Man (or really anything that goes along with Christmas). As a kid I was never told what Santa looked like. Sure, I had seen him a million times at the mall and yes I have TONS of photos of my brother and I sitting on his lap; having multiple arguments as we decided what our outfits would be so our pictures would look just PERFECT! (As perfect as a photo of your crying children sitting on the lap of a man being paid hourly in a Santa suit in the middle of the mall can be). However, we were never told that "Santa IS white" and frankly, I don't care what color this man is. 1. He is fictional (I'm still upset that my parents lied to me). 2. I don't see why this is an issue, are we as a society really questioning a fictional character who is jolly, full of charisma and travels the world to give us gifts?!?! You can't POSSIBLY tell me there is nothing else in the world that we could talk about, but this issue? I don't care what Santa looks like. He could be purple or even a zebra for all I care. For years this man brought me some of my favorite gifts from my Barbie Mansion to my Barbie Jeep. I never thought about what color he was. This article by Aisha Harris is the fuel that caused the fire to racial criticism throughout the cyber world, Santa Claus Should Not Be a White Man Anymore. In her discussion with CNN Harris mentions: "The point I was trying to make was that ... the world has changed a lot over the last 50-100 years and Santa Clause is a fictional character. He is nothing like the original historical figure he was based off of anymore.We have kind of evolved him into this magical, mythical figure." She then continues to discuss how she doesn't want children to feel like Santa is always white. I think this is a fascinating concept and one I have never really took much time to think about. I am not opposed to this idea at all! If a blue dinosaur wants to come down my fireplace chimney and deliver me another Barbie Jeep, I would willingly accept it. Too often our society devours the idea of race determining power. Honestly, I think we're beyond that and my home away from home, Macy's agrees. During the Christmas time Macy's offers a black Santa per the request of guests.
As wonderful as this is (and not to open a whole new can of worms) - but why is there a Mrs. Clause, why can't Santa have a partner? Or be by himself and be independent? OR why can't I deliver gifts and be paid hourly to sit in a chair at the mall and have people pay to see me?
On that note, keep on keeping on Santa. Also, I want another Barbie Jeep.
xoxo
Very interesting.
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