It Took Too Long for a Dutch Court to Rule "Black Pete" a Racist Caricature

Good job, law.

A Dutch court finally decided that Zwarte Piet ("Black Pete"), Santa's Sambo-esque helper, is offensive. This is progress, apparently. 

According to the Associated Press, there's been a debate in the Netherlands about whether or not Black Pete (Black fucking Pete, people) is racist: 

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"Harmless." Right. Anyway, the court determined that his appearance, in addition to his demeanor—a smiling, buffoonish servant—created a negative stereotype. But, as a Slate article revealed, many of the Dutch who don blackface to portray him get pissed off whenever the character's racist overtones are mentioned: 

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Ignorance never prospers. Should we even celebrate the right thing being done?

[via Associated Press and Slate]

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