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Christmas season has started so... why santa is actually poc, a thread! 
before I start, this is going to be based on facts and science and not just what I think and yes I know santa isn't real so I'm going to be basing him on things such as St Nicholas and other people and things that inspired him!!
if you didn't know, the idea of santa claus was inspired by saint nicolas.
Santa has been around since 1774!
The first depiction of him was done by Coca Cola in the 1930's but before we talk about santa, let's talk about st nicholas.
Santa has been around since 1774!
The first depiction of him was done by Coca Cola in the 1930's but before we talk about santa, let's talk about st nicholas.
some still celebrate st nicholas day which is December 6th. my family's tradition on St Nicholas day was getting gifts on the 6th in our stockings. I always believed it was Santa's "test run" but many interpret it differently. But St Nicholas was a real person! A saint obviously.
He was born in the 3rd century to a wealthy christian family in Patara, which is located in modern day Turkey. Since he was wealthy, he secretly gave a father 3 bags of gold so he could pay for his daughters which he was resorting to selling them into prostitution.
Every night he threw a bag of gold into the man's window but on the third night the man realized it was Nicholas who was donating the gold.
He was recognized for his love for children and generosity and was ordained as the the bishop of Myra and eventually a Catholic saint-
He was recognized for his love for children and generosity and was ordained as the the bishop of Myra and eventually a Catholic saint-
after his death.
A group of french nuns were inspired by his work in the 12th century and left stockings full of fruits and nuts on poor people's doorsteps. This tradition became popular and spread all across Europe.
A group of french nuns were inspired by his work in the 12th century and left stockings full of fruits and nuts on poor people's doorsteps. This tradition became popular and spread all across Europe.
And many modern day depictions of St Nicholas are white is was actually a man of brown or black skin! He was in fact a middle eastern man after all
so no st nick does not look like this. these are whitewashed depictions.
Now since the man who inspired Santa Claus is black, he would be right?
Many also think that Santa is Norwegian and from Norway, which would make sense for him to be white then but Santa doesn't live in Norway. He lives in the North Pole, everyone knows that. But the North Pole is all ice sheets not to mention it's melting so not the best for a-
house. But you know what place had reindeer, cold weather, and is near the North Pole? Alaska! And Alaskan natives are in fact poc. So Santa could also be indigenous!!!
But with all this historical context, why wasn't santa originally black? Well if you know anything about American history, y'all know it's racist. Any mention of a black santa claus was made fun of. the idea was not respected.
Santa Claus was brought to America by Dutch immigrants who had Sinter Klaas. And Sinter Klaas was unfortunately white washed from the original saint.
And while they don't have a black santa, it is a tradition for them to have a blackface character called black peter. Look it up
And while they don't have a black santa, it is a tradition for them to have a blackface character called black peter. Look it up
And yes there are many protesting it so don't worry, people are finally realizing how shitty it is.
In the Early 1800's he started to pop up in American culture. Santa eventually could be seen in malls, which is where this tradition came from. The salvation army (don't donate to them they're homophobic) started having people dress up as santa to bring in donations.
Other common Santa things such as riding on a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer was brought to life by the 1844 poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.
But Santa can also be traced back to biblical traditions. The Three Kings. Now before we get into this, Jesus was not white he was from the middle east, so his family and him were black. Just look it up I don't have time to explain that too.
But if you know anything about the birth of Jesus, a month or so after his birth he was given gifts by the Three Kings. This gift giving tradition is traced back to this. In certain cultures Santa Claus doesn't give them gifts but the three kings instead. tbh it makes more sense.
but again these kings were from the middle east so therefore were brown or black.
So in a historical and scientific sense, Santa Claus would be anything but white from who he was inspired by, where he lives, not to mention it makes minorites and black children feel appreciated. But it's okay to see Santa as black, brown or white. he can be all races.
santa can be latino, he can be indigenous, he can be asian. he can be whoever you want him to be! he is a fictional person however. But for the love of God, it doesn't matter if a black man plays santa at the mall!!! we have bigger issues to worry about.
so Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Kwanzaa, or if you don't celebrate at all, just remember you matter and have a great day!!!
sources: https://therealblacksanta.com/history-of-santa/
https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/magazine-38231159
https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/magazine-38231159
end of thread
