by: Kofi Dadzie
Santa Claus, a key figure for Christmas, has been a topic of debate regarding his true color of skin. The issue of his race is primarily whether he is black or white. It seems that everywhere you look from Fox News to Albuquerque, New Mexico that people have clear opinions of the race of St. Nick. Megyn Kelly of Fox News came under fire in the past week for saying that Santa Claus and Jesus were both white.
The debate of the race of Santa has even become an issue in schools, as an Albuquerque teacher has been put on paid leave for telling a black student dressed as Santa that Santa Claus was white. The teacher reportedly asked the student, “Don’t you know Santa is white? Why are you wearing that?” The two incidents occurred in the same week and have shown that the problem of race in holidays and religions is still prominent
On the point of Santa’s race, political correctness and sensitivity have definitely played a role in the nationwide debate. Kelly responded to the outrage over her remarks by saying just that, and that she is personally being targeted for her affiliation with Fox News. Kelly went on to say, “Race is still an incredibly volatile issue in this country, and Fox News and yours truly are big targets for many people.”
Kelly was not the only one with an opinion on the race of Santa Claus. The next week, Don Lemon, a CNN anchor, displayed a multi-cultural Santa panel with each Santa saying their opinion on the race of St. Nick. The Latino Santa made the compelling argument that, “kids enjoy Santa overall,” and not simply based on his race.
Race has been such an issue in the past that it is a sensitive topic in America, which is why the argument Santa’s race has been such an outspoken topic. But few seem to grasp that Santa Claus is a symbol of generosity and care. He’s the physical embodiment of the Christmas spirit, and that the debate on the race of such a character defers from his actual meaning in Christmas. Santa is a symbol and that is what he shall remain, the debate of his race defeats his purpose, generosity and care to all. Keep race out of it.
Works Cited
“Breitbart.com.” Breitbart News Network. Web. 20 Dec. 2013.
Freeman, Hadley. “Black, White or Imaginary? Santa’s Race Has the US in a Christmas Kerfuffle.” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 18 Dec. 2013. Web. 20 Dec. 2013.
“The New Republic.” Megyn Kelly scandal and Santa Claus race not religion. Web. 20 Dec. 2013.
“Teacher Who Said Santa Is ‘white’ placed on Paid Leave.” Fox News. FOX News Network. Web. 18 Dec. 2013.
Sources:http://www.newrepublic.com/article/115938/megyn-kelly-scandal-and-santa-claus-race-not-religion
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/12/17/teacher-who-said-santa-is-white-placed-on-paid-leave/
