Santas of Color- surprise! Can't find any

[meshaliuknits]

Yes. Fairyland in Oakland almost always has a black Santa. And occasionally an Asian one.

[redwino]

I haven't noticed any in my city but dd is only 17 months so I wasn't paying attention before last Christmas. I grew up in the black church so there were always black Santas at church events. The Santa at the local HBCU is always black. They do a tree lighting and concert every year but I don't think many families attend. My aunt has colored all the Santas in her Christmas decorations brown since the 80's. She also colors any other characters brown if they are white but she's usually able to find non-white elves and angels.

I'm reading Nurtureshock and the chapter about race talked about children being exposed to a black Santa. It was difficult for both white and black children to accept a black Santa at first but eventually most came around to it. I called bullshit on the whole section when the author claimed a six-year-old black boy told Santa to pull down his socks to prove he was black all over. 6 you black kids know that black people are black. A Santa suit won't change that. I'm kind of hate reading the book.

[NinaSimone]

I have never seen any black Santas here in Philly, not even growing up. DD does not like people dressed in character/costume and flips out any time she sees a Santa, so I haven't had to search much for a black one anymore.

[barcelonagirl]

We have a black angel and Santa figurines all through the house but I haven't taken them to see a black Santa in person.

I'm going to do that this year. I know there's a really well known guy in NYC but the lines are crazy long.

[meshaliuknits]

Sept 1, 2016 10:28:30 GMT -5 redwino said:

I'm reading Nurtureshock and the chapter about race talked about children being exposed to a black Santa. It was difficult for both white and black children to accept a black Santa at first but eventually most came around to it. I called bullshit on the whole section when the author claimed a six-year-old black boy told Santa to pull down his socks to prove he was black all over. 6 you black kids know that black people are black. A Santa suit won't change that. I'm kind of hate reading the book.

That's weird. It doesn't really make sense. Unless this Santa had dipped his face in something.

My daughter has accepted black Santas without question despite most media not supporting it. And she likes to point out who has brown skin like me an who has pink skin like her. I figured all kids saw was the red suit and promise of presents.

My son snatched the offered candy cane, yelled what he wanted as he ran last year. I doubt that was because Santa was black. Hopefully he'll brave up this year.

[barcelonagirl]

Sept 1, 2016 10:28:30 GMT -5 redwino said:

My aunt has colored all the Santas in her Christmas decorations brown since the 80's. She also colors any other characters brown if they are white but she's usually able to find non-white elves and angels.

Your auntie is my mother. But the white kids always freak out a little around Christmas time at my black Christmas

[andwhat]

I haven't been able to find a non-white Santa either. But I think that is because the malls we frequent are the 'Santa has to have a real beard' types and they would probably freak the fuck out over a non-white Santa. But I think even PG Plaza had a white Santa. But I really cannot remember.

[callie]

I searched on Facebook to find one in my area last year. I searched #blacksanta and finally came across a mall about 40 mins from my house.

[meshaliuknits]

I love that picture of Alex.

[barcelonagirl]

OMG the Princess obsession is hitting my house hardcore right now. It's all Ariel all the time. Luckily Disney is promoting Elena pretty well so everyone keep their fingers crossed for me lol

[sfy]

Sept 1, 2016 12:18:18 GMT -5 cubed said:

I haven't seen one here either. I should have asked for a black Santa when we went to the Macy's in NYC last December since they supposedly have Santas of different ethnicities.

There are a few. Stonecrest, West End, probably South DeKalb also.

NinaSimone, there is usually a black Santa at Cheltenham mall, also. Not sure about the Gallery, but it wouldn't surprise me.

This might be obvious (or maybe not), but they are going to be in the malls that serve predominantly AA populations.

[orangeblossom]

None in my area that I know of. I took pictures with a black Santa growing up.

My mother actually collected black Santa figurines and dolls. I hope I'm able to put them up this year.

[sfy]

Sept 1, 2016 13:01:28 GMT -5 @barefootbarista said:

Sept 1, 2016 12:44:42 GMT -5 sfy said:

There are a few. Stonecrest, West End, probably South DeKalb also.

NinaSimone, there is usually a black Santa at Cheltenham mall, also. Not sure about the Gallery, but it wouldn't surprise me.

This might be obvious (or maybe not), but they are going to be in the malls that serve predominantly AA populations.

We don't really have one. Shopping centers, yes, but not malls. We really only have 3 (actually one is in a town over), and 2 or 3 outlet malls.

West End Mall isn't really a mall, either, despite the name. A shopping center might have one, too.

[NinaSimone]

Right after I posted it thought they may have one at Cheltenham, that would make sense.

[redwino]

Sept 1, 2016 11:20:03 GMT -5 meshaliuknits said:

Sept 1, 2016 10:28:30 GMT -5 redwino said:

I'm reading Nurtureshock and the chapter about race talked about children being exposed to a black Santa. It was difficult for both white and black children to accept a black Santa at first but eventually most came around to it. I called bullshit on the whole section when the author claimed a six-year-old black boy told Santa to pull down his socks to prove he was black all over. 6 you black kids know that black people are black. A Santa suit won't change that. I'm kind of hate reading the book.

That's weird. It doesn't really make sense. Unless this Santa had dipped his face in something.

My daughter has accepted black Santas without question despite most media not supporting it. And she likes to point out who has brown skin like me an who has pink skin like her. I figured all kids saw was the red suit and promise of presents.

My son snatched the offered candy cane, yelled what he wanted as he ran last year. I doubt that was because Santa was black. Hopefully he'll brave up this year.

I shook my head through the whole narrative because I believe most kids would react like your children. The Santa section was a narrative with no related studies so I concluded the author made it up to fluff up the race chapter.

[05heel]

I can't even lie, I don't push the sit on Santa's lap thing too hard. It just weirds me out. Luckily my daughter isn't too interested either, so I haven't had to worry about it too much. I'd love to see a black Santa though.

[05heel]

Sept 1, 2016 13:50:30 GMT -5 @barefootbarista said:

Sept 1, 2016 13:44:51 GMT -5 05heel said:

I can't even lie, I don't push the sit on Santa's lap thing too hard. It just weirds me out. Luckily my daughter isn't too interested either, so I haven't had to worry about it too much. I'd love to see a black Santa though.

Yeah, I don't want them to sit on his lap, but it'd be nice to have pictures with him! Standing with him, showing him a toy in a book, something.

oh, my daughter has sat in his lap when he comes to daycare, so I'm not morally opposed or anything. It's just my own weird issue I guess. I didn't like it when I was little either, so I'm surely projecting quite a bit.

[sunshine608]

The Mall West End in Atlanta has Kente Claus. He's there until 8pm on Christmas even which makes me laugh every time I hear it on that commercial because its barely a mall. My FIL works in the mall so we do our best to avoid it, but I will probably take DS there at least once.

I have such mixed feelings about Santa- we plan to not mention it and see what happens. Our nephew picked it up from school and we went along with it, but we never told him anything about Santa.

[nsuhomer]

There was a black as well as a Latino Santa at a mall in the LA area last Christmas.

[meshaliuknits]

Sept 1, 2016 13:30:46 GMT -5 redwino said:

Sept 1, 2016 11:20:03 GMT -5 meshaliuknits said:

That's weird. It doesn't really make sense. Unless this Santa had dipped his face in something.

My daughter has accepted black Santas without question despite most media not supporting it. And she likes to point out who has brown skin like me an who has pink skin like her. I figured all kids saw was the red suit and promise of presents.

My son snatched the offered candy cane, yelled what he wanted as he ran last year. I doubt that was because Santa was black. Hopefully he'll brave up this year.

I shook my head through the whole narrative because I believe most kids would react like your children. The Santa section was a narrative with no related studies so I concluded the author made it up to fluff up the race chapter.

To further support our theory that this chapter was full of it, I just spent hours watching kids accept race & gender bends of well known characters without question.

I call shenanigans!

[orangeblossom]

Sept 4, 2016 22:11:28 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

Sept 1, 2016 12:48:57 GMT -5 orangeblossom said:

None in my area that I know of. I took pictures with a black Santa growing up.

My mother actually collected black Santa figurines and dolls. I hope I'm able to put them up this year.

LOL, our holiday seasons, during my childhood weren't complete with out the annual buying of the white Christmas figurines, and sitting around the table, as a family, coloring over their faces and hands with Crayola brown markers. The nativity (including Baby Jesus), the Angels, Santa's, didn't matter. Everyone but Frosty the Snow Man, got some magic marker melanin in our house. 

Man, I love my mom. She was not fucking around! 

That is hilarious.

[ceceliamarie]

Do you have a Nordstrom near you? Our local store has a white, black and an Asian Santa. You can call closer to the holiday season and they will tell you the schedule of your desired Santa.

[spaghettisquash]

Sept 1, 2016 11:40:35 GMT -5 andwhat said:

I haven't been able to find a non-white Santa either. But I think that is because the malls we frequent are the 'Santa has to have a real beard' types and they would probably freak the fuck out over a non-white Santa. But I think even PG Plaza had a white Santa. But I really cannot remember.

Depending on how far you want to drive, Security Square and Mondawmin Mall in Baltimore both have AA Santas. You might want to call for hours since I think SS shares with a white Santa.

[thejackpot]

I feel like we must have one nearby but I haven't ever sought out Santa really. I do have black Santa ornaments and figurines.

[orangeblossom]

Sept 5, 2016 13:55:59 GMT -5 spaghettisquash said:

Sept 1, 2016 11:40:35 GMT -5 andwhat said:

I haven't been able to find a non-white Santa either. But I think that is because the malls we frequent are the 'Santa has to have a real beard' types and they would probably freak the fuck out over a non-white Santa. But I think even PG Plaza had a white Santa. But I really cannot remember.

Depending on how far you want to drive, Security Square and Mondawmin Mall in Baltimore both have AA Santas. You might want to call for hours since I think SS shares with a white Santa.

Yup, that's where I got mine taken as a kid. Brings back memories.

[DesertMoon]

Our Santa last year was west Asian, Indian or Sri lanken. I thought it was cool, because I haven't seen a Santa with any flavour till that one.

[newnamesameperson]

Sept 11, 2016 20:52:51 GMT -5 DesertMoon said:

Our Santa last year was west Asian, Indian or Sri lanken. I thought it was cool, because I haven't seen a Santa with any flavour till that one.

I would have gotten my picture taken with him if I saw that. 


I've only once seen a non-white Santa, he was ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.  Beyond that never. 


 

[DesertMoon]

Sept 11, 2016 21:43:51 GMT -5 newnamesameperson said:

Sept 11, 2016 20:52:51 GMT -5 DesertMoon said:

Our Santa last year was west Asian, Indian or Sri lanken. I thought it was cool, because I haven't seen a Santa with any flavour till that one.

I would have gotten my picture taken with him if I saw that. 


I've only once seen a non-white Santa, he was ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.  Beyond that never. 


 

We did! Both my kids were wailing because Santa still scared them but it was a cute picture. I love crying Santa pics!