Kick Out Zwarte Piet (KOZP) is a Dutch organization that campaigns against the Zwarte Piet character (IPA: [ˈzʋɑrtə ˈpit], in English: Black Pete, or Black Peter) in the culture of the Low Countries. Zwarte Piet is traditionally part of the annual Christian feast of Sinterklaasavond (in English: "St. Nicholas' Eve") in the Netherlands, Belgium, some territories of the former Dutch Empire and the Dutch diaspora[1] on the evening of 5 December in the Netherlands and 6 December in Belgium. Saint Nicholas Day is also celebrated in the Balkans, Eastern Europe, Central Europe and the Middle East. In the folklore of the Low Countries, Zwarte Piet is portrayed as the dark-skinned Spanish Moor companion to Sinterklaas.[2]
The character of Zwarte Piet is controversial, as depictions traditionally involve white actors in blackface.[3][4] Because of this, efforts are made by KOZP and some members of the Dutch public in the form of meetings, threats[citation needed] and protests to abolish Zwarte Piet from Sinterklaasavond, often met by opposition from traditionalists who generally argue that Zwarte Piet represents Dutch tradition and not racism.
- ^ "Blackface in London: What do Dutch expats think of Zwarte Piet?". Liberating Identities. 3 December 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
- ^ Bruce, David (2007). Christmas: A Candid History. University of California Press.
- ^ "Zwarte Piet: Black Pete is 'Dutch racism in full display'". Al Jazeera. 27 November 2019.
- ^ Blakely, Allison (1993). Blacks in the Dutch World: The Evolution of Racial Imagery in a Modern Society. Indiana University Press. pp. 48–49.