Prime Minister Rutte has experienced “major changes” in his position on Zwarte Piet. He now has more understanding for people who feel discriminated against by the black-painted help of Sinterklaas, he made clear in a debate in the House of Representatives following the anti-racism demonstrations in the Netherlands.
He heard first to the group “Zwarte Piet is black”, he said. It concerns the period from 2013 when the discussion flared up following a letter from the United Nations asking for clarification about the stereotypical image of Black Pete at the party in December.
To think
Rutte says he has met many people over time “with dark skin who said they felt incredibly discriminated against because Black Pete was black.” That made the prime minister think. “That is the last thing you want at a Sinterklaas party.”
He thinks Zwarte Piet will disappear in a few years. “In a few years there will be almost no Pieten black anymore.”
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