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What Color is Santa?

  • Dec. 18th, 2013 at 11:32 AM
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peacetraveler22
santa

Who said Santa is white? I believe he should be whatever you imagine. A slow news cycle in the American press this week and controversy erupted when a black writer suggested that American Santa should no longer be depicted only as a white man. The idea sent a blonde haired, blue eyed news reporter on a conservative news channel into a frenzy. You can read the article and watch video of the controversial news segment here.

This morning I encountered a black Santa on my way to work. In fact, I know this guy very well. For the past ten years, he stands in the same spot on Constitution Avenue in Washington, DC selling newspapers every morning. I've learned a lot about him over the years, sitting at the traffic light on my daily commute. I wonder how many people simply ignore him, thinking he's homeless? For me, it's a great reminder to never make assumptions about others based on appearance or skin color. He's led a very interesting life. A former employee of Harley Davidson, a motorcycle enthusiasts and overall good Samaritan. Today he greeted me with a big hug and Starbuck's gift card. Spreading holiday cheer and kindness. A beautiful way to start the day!

Of course, others say Santa is bad no matter the color but I don't agree with them. Life without imagination and curiosity is some type of prison sentence. Who wishes to strip all sense of wonder, anticipation and excitement from young children during the holiday season? Perhaps it's because I'm not religious and celebrate Christmas in a completely secular way but Santa should live on, in every color imaginable. What do you think? Do you let your kids believe in Дед Мороз?

I've been busy with holiday season preparations and travel to the wonderful State of Tennessee, but promise some new and interesting stories soon. I even visited Moscow! :))
moscow

How are your holiday preparations coming? Are New Year's trees up yet?

Like the content of my blog? Please vote here, where I'm nominated for best LJ blog of 2013. Thanks to those who have already voted.

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( 74 comments — Leave a comment )
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siberian_cat
Dec. 18th, 2013 05:00 pm (UTC)
Not only Santa is black, he is also a...

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peacetraveler22
Dec. 18th, 2013 07:45 pm (UTC)
And where do you find these? :))
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notabler
Dec. 18th, 2013 05:01 pm (UTC)
Not much joy in Christmas without children around. I don't celebrate it a lot, just cook a roast (not only turkey, anything)
and glass of wine (not necessarily champagne). We are a bit too old and most of excitement already gone. We in Lithuania almost forgot about Дед Мороз, since they got their Christmas back to celebrate and got Kalėdų Senis (Christmas granddad or similar). Since Independence Lithuanians enjoy 2 Christmas (catholic and orthodox), but New Year is still very important, much more than in West. They saved very interesting traditions for Christmas. I remember how a very brave Lithuanian friend invited me at SSSR time to celebrate Christmas properly. I was amazed
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peacetraveler22
Dec. 18th, 2013 07:51 pm (UTC)
It's a distinction in the West that Christmas is celebrated by everyone and not perceived solely as a religious holiday. I guess if you're a believe this is a negative thing, but it's a festive time of year to be around family and friends. I agree it's not the same without children, but I have such a huge family that lack of young children is never a problem. There are always plenty of them running around at all gatherings. I didn't know about Kalėdų Senis, thanks! It's always interesting to read about traditions in other countries.
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yarowind
Dec. 18th, 2013 05:57 pm (UTC)
>>Who said Santa is white?

History!:)


>>Do you let your kids believe in Дед Мороз?

Already not:)
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Alex Winter
Dec. 18th, 2013 06:12 pm (UTC)
в детстве если кто-то играл деда мороза, мне было пофиг, какой он национальности, хотя подразумевается, что это дед славянской наружности. не нравилось только, если дедом морозом был старшеклассник или просто кто-то, кто не мог дать басу.
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peacetraveler22
Dec. 18th, 2013 07:56 pm (UTC)
In America, it's always strange to see a skinny Santa. He's meant to be big, fat and jolly with rosy cheeks and a big beard.
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mybathroom
Dec. 18th, 2013 06:18 pm (UTC)
>>Do you let your kids believe in Дед Мороз?
Of course! My son has been writing letters to him and every year Ded Moroz sent gifts. Once, when my son was small, a friend of mine play a role of the Ded Moroz. My son was very impressed. It's good when there is a place for miracles in the life.
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peacetraveler22
Dec. 18th, 2013 08:01 pm (UTC)
Yes Denis ,I agree. It's always good to believe in miracles. :) We have the same tradition here, where children send letters to Santa and starting a few days before Christmas, you can even track Santa's location through NORAD - http://www.noradsanta.org/. It's fun to look at the map with my nephew and see what Santa enters North America!
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barabaan
Dec. 18th, 2013 06:19 pm (UTC)
Color of the Santa? Does it matters indeed? Lets make Christmas and New Year happy of the bullshit.
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peacetraveler22
Dec. 18th, 2013 08:05 pm (UTC)
Why does it matter?
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south_of_broad
Dec. 18th, 2013 06:33 pm (UTC)
It's the prime example of the reverse racism. Why can't this old kind guy, who brings the toys to the kids all over the world, be white? Why it is so important for the liberals to disempower every single tradition and believe that people have had for so many generations? We don't celebrate Christmas, we don't have a Christmas tree, children don't say the Pledge of Allegiance, now Santa. So if Santa is not white, why don't they , who says so, come up with another idea. They invented Kwanzaa after all. As to Meghan Kelly - they supposed to pronounce her the person of the year.- if that wasn't for her nobody would even know about this ridiculous subject.
Santa is white, sorry, libs. He lives on the North Pole and no black can survive there. Simple, see!
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peacetraveler22
Dec. 18th, 2013 08:04 pm (UTC)
He lives in the North Pole and no black can survive there! :)) Well, it is in fact true. Black people don't like cold weather. I actually like this news reporter. She was a former lawyer and sometimes has interesting analysis; however, I almost never agree with her viewpoint. And you like Bill O'Reilly also? :)
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onkel_hans
Dec. 18th, 2013 06:47 pm (UTC)
The founder of Christianity, Paul once wrote to the Romans: There are no Greek nor Jews.

And this is how we doody:
IMG_1056-1
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onkel_hans
Dec. 18th, 2013 06:52 pm (UTC)
And by the way, there is no Christmas nor Santa in Russia.
In my term of service in Moscow I every God forsaken year congratulated the Russians with Christmas and always their reply was "What is this?"
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peacetraveler22
Dec. 18th, 2013 08:08 pm (UTC)
I understand, but they have a festive New Year's celebration with decorations, light displays, trees, etc. Creates the same type of festive atmosphere, well as festive and joyful as Russian can be. :)
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19victor71
Dec. 18th, 2013 09:55 pm (UTC)
Perhaps it's because I'm not religious and celebrate Christmas in a completely secular way

===
Я иногда представляю Иисуса, как будто он попал на современный праздник Рождества.В образе обычного небогатого человека, например как ваш чернокожий на фото. Праздник, на котором о его жизни большинство людей ничего не говорят. Подарки, украшения, семейное застолье, дети ожидают веселья. Это всё прекрасно, но думаю, он бы опечалился как ребёнок, о котором забыли гости и родители.
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peacetraveler22
Dec. 19th, 2013 03:01 am (UTC)
Jesus would weep about many things in the modern world! If you're a religious person then I understand the aversion to Santa Claus and all the other secular parts of Christmas, including the massive commercialization of the holiday.
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fareastener
Dec. 19th, 2013 04:18 am (UTC)
Hi, Shannon.

I hope, my 12yr daughter believe in russian Father Frost, but ain't really sure.

Your joke about Moscow is good :) Which ones have you been? Idaho, Vermont, Indiana, Main, Ohio, Texas, Wisconsin, Iowa?

Oh... you wrote about trip to Tennessee - is it Moscow, which is near Memphis?



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qi_tronic
Dec. 19th, 2013 08:44 am (UTC)
The most famous of them is the one in Idaho.

Because of this:

www. moscow. com

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andrey_kaminsky
Dec. 19th, 2013 05:04 am (UTC)
Санта такой, какой он есть
Certainly, it is possible to meet Santa in the U.S. I think John Steinbeck knew Santa. Anyway, he is quite aptly described in Steinbeck's novel "In dubious Battle" as Joy, who was shot dead at a railway station. I read this book after me and Santa lost contact and therefore i didn't ask him why did Steinbeck describe such a sad ending. If anything is able to kill Santa, then this is vodka:) And yet, Santa has a very negative attitude to charges for the use of copyright. Everyone can fasten Santa's beard without risk to be sued. Therefore, if you are a lawyer, it is very difficult to meet the real Santa:( But life goes on and anything can happen!)
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peacetraveler22
Dec. 19th, 2013 02:31 pm (UTC)
Re: Санта такой, какой он есть
In the U.S. we have "dirty" Santas that invite grown women to sit on their laps and reveal deepest desires and wishes. It seems Americans like to look at almost anything in a perverted, sexual sense. Naughty elves, Santa, Mrs. Claus, etc. all part of humorous Christmas comics and memes.
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Re: Санта такой, какой он есть - (Anonymous) - Dec. 19th, 2013 05:15 pm (UTC) - Expand
jack_cracker29
Dec. 20th, 2013 02:39 pm (UTC)

…Granma got runover by a reindeer
fetching firewood on Christmas Eve
you may say here’s no such thing as Santa
but as for me and grandpa, we believe…

Y’all know the tune, altogether now..!

Whether Santa is black white or purple, who knows or gives a flip, it’s all in the eyes of the beholder. If you grew up in the ‘hood your Santa was a stoned old nig (as in hoodspeak) from the floor below in your projects apartment. If you Megan Kelly, your Santa was an Irish uncle reeking of booze. ;)
As long as it means something good to you, what does it matter. Kids need to know to be humble, generous to less fortunate and kind to weaker and smaller beings…
Merry and Happy Y’all, HO-HO-HO!
;))

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peacetraveler22
Dec. 20th, 2013 03:19 pm (UTC)
"As long as it means something good to you, what does it matter..." On this point we agree. The fact that it was even a major topic of discussion is absurd. But sometimes U.S. media has nothing else to focus on. Happy Holidays to you and your family!
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livejournal
Dec. 24th, 2013 11:50 am (UTC)
Какого цвета кожи Санта?
User balury referenced to your post from Какого цвета кожи Санта? saying: [...] Автор записи: Переводчик: Оригинал записи: http://peacetraveler22.livejournal.com/61832.html [...]
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anna_sollanna
Dec. 24th, 2013 02:09 pm (UTC)
Your black Santa is a very cute guy, thank you! And what state is your Moscow situated in? ;)
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peacetraveler22
Dec. 24th, 2013 02:10 pm (UTC)
There are several cities named Moscow in America, but this one is in Tennessee. I'll write a report about it. :)
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