Skip to main content

What Color is Your Santa?


Christmas time in New York is always a fun time. The animated Christmas windows, decorations, and the smell of roasted peanuts on the streets is always a treat. Macy's after the Thanksgiving Day Parade becomes a human sea of eager shoppers looking for the quick sales.  Another Macy's tradition is on the top floor called Santa Land. If you've never been, its a treat.  You meander through a constructed area with Christmas trees, trains, and elves. At the end of the path you can take a picture with Santa Claus. My wife used to do this when she was younger.  This time the excursion to Santa Land turned out to be a lot different.

We received word as we were in line that there was a African American Santa or for our reading, a Black Santa.  There was a secret code that all the elves knew to get a picture with him. We had to ask for 'the special'. We had to wait a little longer for 'our' Santa to prepare.  We're not sure why, but have assumptions. As the elves ushered us in, we saw Santa patiently waiting for us.  The elf took pictures of us as Santa asked what we wanted for Christmas. We got our family picture and walked some more through the largest department store in the world.

SKKKRRRRRRRR!!!! Question: Why were other families able to take pictures with the other Santas while we had to wait? Was Black Santa taking pics with other people? Why were the elves scouring around to accommodate and help us take a picture with Black Santa? All of these questions flowed through our heads as we headed back home.
We were comfortable taking a picture with Black Santa. In fact, it was comforting to know that Macy's made arrangements like this.  My boys are of age that they don't believe in Santa at all. My oldest even mentioned that it would have been okay to take a picture with a regular (Caucasian) Santa.  It was not a big deal to them or me either way. The question came down to these: were African Americans alerted to Black Santa? If so, did they have a preference? Another question (you ready?): were others alerted that there was a Black Santa? If so, which did they prefer?  Please understand that I am in no way trying to start conflict. We have great relationships with all races. We were just curious as how this situation in Macy's would turn out.  If Black Santa was one of the 'regulars' taking pictures, did other families have access to him? And would they have been okay if their picture had to be with an African American? 

I am very happy that my sons have true friendships with people of all races. They have an  awareness of diversity that will take them a long way.  Yet, I know we all have our prejudices. You do. I do. We all do. In addition, Santa has always been Caucasian, which is a norm in our society.  So is Barbie, and oftentimes, even pictures of Jesus. Arguments can be passed around all over this conversation.

Here's my point. We live in a world that has become more socially and culturally conscience and diverse.  We have accepted so many nationalities, cultures and gender bases. Ideals that were once ostracized are now the norm.  And yet, we still have that 'twitch' inside of us when we experience certain things in society.  I want my boys to be aware and socially conscience of their surroundings.  This takes me being aware of what's happening.  Just some thoughts.  I hope this creates some great conversation. I'm still in training. I'm NOS...


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Before you go, I have to tell you this...

My wife and oldest son had been feverishly preparing for this for over two years. A sojourn to Egypt is what monopolized the attention of this house for about the past week. We've been packing, buying last minute items, and anticipating an almost 24-hour travel. As my wife was packing at the gorgeous time of 4:15 am, I was writing some thoughts to my son. I was giving him advice-technical, moral, physical, and spiritual advice. Even while cutting his hair last night, I was advising him. At the end of the letter, I gave him my blessing.

I wrote a letter to Paula as well. And just like the one to my son, I gave her the same type of advice, just more seasoned for her needs. And at the end of the letter, I gave her my blessing. I packed the letters away in their suitcases. They won't see them until they reach their hotel in Egypt.

I learned and was reminded of a couple of things from their upcoming experience. First, perseverance has its rewards. They stuck this program out for over…
7 comments
Read more

It's What's Best For You

I had to have a serious talk with my boys tonight.  I had been noticing some facets of their character that I did not think was necessarily wrong, but it was not what I think was the best.  So just before they went to bed, we had a Five Minute Blitz (our version of a devotional).

As many of you know, I am really working hard to build our famliy on the standards of the Bible.  Well, the backdrop for this conversation stemmed from an abbreviated Deuteronomy 10:12-13:

"And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God...to love Him...and to observe the Lord's commands that I am giving you today for your own good?"

I have been noticing that they were not giving their full potential in their everyday lives.  Yes, they are boys...young boys at that.  Yet, I know what they are capable of.  I now understand why my dad pushed me so hard.  He encouraged me (made me) to do chores, to wake up early (6am...ish as a teenager-who does that?) on Satu…
4 comments
Read more

As I Do So They Do--- Imitating Parental Habits

"I like driving with one hand.", my son says as he drives for the fourth time in his life.

How about this one: "I want to drive with my knees." 

My son hasn't been behind the wheel a full hour in his life yet, and he's talking about driving with his knees?!? Where did he get that from? Where did he understand that driving with one hand was okay or using my phone while on 495 was cool?  

In fact, where do most of the things that my children do get it from?  You guessed it...their mother!  I will not take responsibility for...okay, I'll stop.  Yes, they get their habits from me.

I know I've written about this in the post to some extent, but I believe it's worth mentioning again.  Our kids watch us like a hawk although they might not be looking at us directly.  They see and hear your habits, including the good and often bad habits.  Understanding that they see me, I gotta figure out how I need to change for their betterment.  

I read an online article w…
Post a Comment
Read more