The Dutch Christmas Tradition of Black Pete

To say that Santa Claus is a big deal during Christmastime in the US is an understatement. At least for the next couple of weeks, Santa rules.  But there’s a guy in The Netherlands giving Santa Claus a run for his money. His name is Black Pete. He brings presents and candy to the children of the country. Which means that every year, all over the Netherlands, grownups dress up as Black Pete — by putting on blackface, an Afro wig, bright red lipstick, and big hoop earrings.  And then they hand out treats. Roger Ross Williams is an Academy award winning American filmmaker.  He’d never heard of Black Pete — until he married a Dutch man and moved to Amsterdam, just before Christmas. What do you do when you’re an African-American man living in a country full of people who dress up in blackface at Christmastime?  You pick up a camera. Roger Ross Williams’ documentary is called “Blackface.”