In the Dutch version of St. Nicholas, he is accompanied by a small elf named Zwarte Pieten. As St. Nick needs help keeping track of naughty children, "Black Pete" is there to record names and whip any boy or girl who isn't up to Nick's exact behavioral standards. But Pete is gradually disappearing from the Netherlands. Not only is physical punishment abusive, but the name, "Zwarte Pete," is a reflection of Black Pete's skin color... and there are racial overtones to the character. People may argue, "But the character is a tradition." Then again, all too often, so is racism.
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