By RayJaun Stelly, The Seattle Medium
Representation matters, especially during the holidays and with Christmas approaching kids are excited to meet Santa Claus to tell him what’s on their gift lists, or if they have been naughty or nice. All things considered, many cultural and diversity advocates believe that everyone should have access to a Santa Claus that represents their culture, and the Black community as a whole has embraced the notion of a Black Santa.
Because of the efforts by many local organizations in recent years like the Atlantic Street Center, the Rainier Valley Leadership Academy, 100 Black Parents and others, many kids have been able to see Black Santa Claus when taking holiday pictures, while Christmas shopping, and at other holiday themed events. And the ideology of seeing someone who looks like them being this superhero, in a sense, has shed positivity not only on kids but on the parents as well.
When asking one parent who has taken their child to visit a Black Santa Claus every year since birth about the importance of seeing a Black Santa, she stated, “it is so pivotal that these kids see that there is a iconic figure known across the world that does in fact look just like them. The importance of Black Santa Claus provides a sense of hope to not only the community, but also to kids that someone like them can in fact be an iconic figure when they grow up.”
The Black Santa movement may be new to some people, but this tradition has been a staple within the Black Community dating back to the 1960s. This movement became a symbol during the civil rights era as a form of Black empowerment, due to the portrayal of Santa only being displayed as a white man throughout the world.
This past weekend, Black Santa made appearances at the Rainier Valley Leadership Academy, a charter school in Southeast Seattle, and the Atlantic Street Center, a non-profit organization in the Central Area, where families were able to get free pictures with Santa and participate in kid-friendly activities, bringing out smiles or cries from kids who came to meet him.
“A Black boy and girl should be able to see Santa Claus being caring, joyful, and providing hope,” said one Mother, who attended the event at the Rainier Valley Leadership Academy. “They should see Santa Claus as someone who looks like them because I know how good it makes them feel and brightens up our communities more than ever.”
Sha’Quella Perine, who took her daughter to see Black Santa Claus this year, agrees and says that it is important for Black kids to be able to match reality with their imagination.
“Black Santa is important for us and our kids because it reinforces confidence in fairytales,” says Perine. “The representation of Black mystical characters and supernatural blessings, it supports the imagination of our Black children which they are very deserving of.”
Teresa Everett from the Atlantic Street Center says that it is important now more than ever for Black children to see positive images of Black people, and a Black Santa re-enforces that notion.
“Any holiday that has a Black Santa is important because the kids need to see somebody who looks like them, along with having professionals from different careers come out and talk to them,” says Everett. “These type of events lifts the possibilities and give kids the idea that they can achieve whatever they want to do.”
“When I think about my generation, we didn’t see Black Santa’s sitting in those stores, so in today’s world we want kids to have that experience,” added Everett. “I am a firm believer that when kids see people that look like them become something, it builds their confidence and connects them back to their community, it’s good for their mental health.”
“I make a point to incorporate Black Santa into our holiday plans because it’s important for my kids to realize that we do in fact have a Santa of our own,” says another mother, as she made her way into the event. “The smiles and joy I see in their faces when taking pictures and being able to engage with him up close and personal with a Santa who looks just like them is priceless.”
While some people may take sitting on Santa’s lap and taking pictures for granted, many in the African American community are taking what Santa looks like and what part of the city that their kids see him very seriously.
“I think Black Santa is extremely important, especially in the Pacific Northwest where we do not have a large Black population,” said Tre Owes. “Being able to see one of the most celebrated figures being represented in your own likeness as a Black person hits different. Representation matters and often times, us as Black people experience hardships that make the holiday season rough.”
“But having someone that looks like us and tell us that it will all be ok and bring us and our children joy is impactful,” added Owes.
The representation of Black Santa will continue this weekend in the Puget Sound Area, as the 100 Black Parents will team up with PUSH for DREAMS for a Black Santa event this Sat. Dec. 17from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Multicultural Child and Family Community Hall in Tacoma. Families must RSVP to attend, free tickets are available https://bit.ly/blacksanta2022. Refreshments and snacks will be provided in addition to activities, and free photos with Santa.
