reporting guidelines


Folklore or racism? I


There is growing controversy over the Dutch Christmas character Zwarte Piet. Tony Sheldon reports


n the Netherlands, it is the time of Sinterklaas, whose arrival from Spain in November, according to Dutch folklore, marks


the start of the Christmas festivities. This white-bearded, fatherly do-gooder is helped by his diminutive and hapless sidekick Zwarte Piet, or Black Piet. Piet is often played by white people in blackface, with thick black curly hair, thick, accentuated, red lips and hoop earrings, much like enslaved Africans are supposed to have looked. While some insist that the character is an innocent part of folklore, others decry him as a racist stereotype. In recent years, Sint’s arrival in the Netherlands and Belgium has sparked heated debate about whether Black Piet should be less racist or relegated to the past. Marvin Hokstam of the NUJ’s black members council’s (BMC) moved to the Netherlands from the Caribbean in 2012. He says: “Blackface is without a doubt a racist depiction of black people which causes insult and it should require no explanation any more. “But I find it truly appalling when


journalists appear openly to choose a side in the debate. Then it is not about Black Piet but about journalism and ethics.” The worst coverage followed an


incident in 2017 when buses carrying Kick Out Zwarte Piet supporters were prevented from attending Sinterklaas’s arrival. The road was blocked by lorries, minibuses, cars and forklift trucks. Dozens of young men, some hooded, surrounded the buses, threatening and, reportedly, shouting racist abuse. Subsequently, 33 of these counter- demonstrators were found guilty of blocking the public highway. Jenny Douwes, who had urged people on Facebook to support the blockade, was found guilty of incitement. All were given community service orders, although these were reduced on appeal. However, in the media, it was the Kick


Out Zwarte Piet supporters who were described as ‘troublemakers’ and


8 | theJournalist


‘killjoys’ and said to have ‘spoiled the children’s party’. An article in a daily called the Kick Out


campaigners ‘a handful of fanatics’ and ‘extreme left activists’ whose ‘agenda was to remove icons of Dutch culture’. Kick Out campaigner Jerry Afriyie was


described as a ‘poet activist’ and a columnist said his activist talents could be put to better use in Ghana, his country of origin, referring to an Amnesty International report on the death penalty and repression of gay rights there. In a TV debate, Douwes refused to


share a stage with Afriyie, so the black man sat in the audience while the white woman was on stage. “The talk show host relegated him to the back of the bus” says Hokstam’. Questionable reporting appears persistent, with one recent news story talking of anti-black Piet activists ready ‘to clash with angry fathers’. Hokstam says: ”When I see this sort of subjective reporting, my hopes of more balanced reporting fade. It’s like


I find it truly appalling when journalists openly choose a side. Then it is not about Black Piet but about journalism and ethics


“ ”


they are consciously pitting people against each other.” Hokstam, who launched black


community publication Afro Magazine, joined the NUJ in 2018. He was pleased to find the union has a record of challenging racism, and guidelines to ensure stories are balanced and reporters not forced write things considered racist. “The NUJ is light years ahead of other unions. It is only now that the Dutch media are considering adjusting the use of offensive language.”. Today Hokstam and his BMC


colleague Martin Todd, backed by their NUJ branches, are urging journalists to adhere to professional standards. Hokstam says: “The fact that there is still debate about this in 2019 is concerning, especially when journalists and newspapers appear to take sides in favour of those supporting black Piet. “Journalists, talk show hosts, radio and TV presenters have ridiculed the campaign’s views, allowing audiences to believe minorities do not have the right to criticise Dutch traditions, no matter how offensive they consider them.”


Marvin Hokstam worked with Tony Sheldon on this article


DPA PICTURE ALLIANCE ARCHIVE / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO


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