#pakjesavond seems a good opportunity to share this piece by my Maastricht colleague Darian Meacham on #BlackPete. Judging from my fresh, but first-person experience as a parent of school kids, there's still a long way ahead of us

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/darian-meacham/black-pete_b_4397371.html

In Holland there's a crazy "tradition" of black petes and Sinterklaas.
White peole painting their face pitch black to ENTERTAIN THE CHILDREN.
Being Dutchies there are protest lately against it and a compromise was reached; the #roetveegpiet translated to the soot stained pete.
Last week riots broke out against protesters and advocates of human rights in a deeply religious town, VERY violent.
A comedy show reacted:
(translation available @ settings)
#BlackPete #Staphorst

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X47GU6wVtDE