Let’s think about this for a second.
Santa Claus just is White.
How does that make you feel? I can tell you one thing. If it doesn’t make you want to shatter something against the wall, you and I probably shouldn’t be friends. Well, maybe not a wine glass. That would be a terrible thing to waste. Especially if there’s wine in it.
Yes, when I was a little kid and my innocence did not allow me to distinguish people of different races, my Santa Claus was white. Now that I’m an adult, my Santa Claus looks more like a Mastercard with racially indistinguishable interest rates. I don’t think little kids care what race their Santa is. I’m sure they won’t care after they set their eyes on that shiny new toy. Heck, they’ll even like a green Santa when The Grinch is on TV.
Does it really matter the race of the person when they’re breaking into your house and wiping out your milk and cookie stash? Apparently it does on Fox News.
That statement up there was what Megyn Kelly, a Faux News anchor, said on the air. It was in response to this article on Slate.com, where the writer, Aisha Harris, comically writes that a jolly husky white-beared Santa should be replaced by a penguin. Her point is actually compelling. I encourage you to read it. But back to the comedy. It gets better.
For all you kids watching at home: Santa just is White. Santa is what he is…Jesus was a white man too…Just because it makes you uncomfortable doesn’t mean it has to change! – Megyn Kelly
I’m sorry. But was that message for the white kids who would be scared if a Black Santa Claus would come in place of their beloved White Santa? You know, those same kids who hug other kids no matter their race because they’re not bigots? Or better yet, are you talking to kids who are up past their bedtime? If we are talking about adults who behave like spoiled children, probably.
Let’s forget for a moment that most of the depictions we have of Jesus today were painted by artists in Europe during a time that most Europeans were white. Let’s forget about that. Instead, let’s play a game of “reality.” Where does the historical Jesus come from? You know, the real one. The one that even is mentioned in the Koran? Megyn, let me tell you…and sit down for this one…THE MIDDLE FREAKING EAST. Do you know what people there look like? The vast majority aren’t white. Shocker, I know. But wait, don’t get up yet.
Megyn–I’m gonna let you in on a little secret. Santa Claus isn’t real. It’s okay if you’re upset. I, too, was sad when I found out at the ripe age of 9. It’s okay if you still believed in him until today. You must have suffocating and equally as ignorant amazing parents who have bought you presents all your life and put them under the tree for you. They also eat those cookies and milk you set out for your “white” Santa Claus.
Interested in hearing this to believe it? Enjoy.
Oh, and Megyn? I hope “your” Santa leaves you a lump of coal this year. And I hate to break it to you…but coal is, you guessed it. Black.
Breenah says
I LOVED how he said “You know Jesus wasn’t born in Bethlemen, PA, right?” I was cracking up the first time I saw that.
Lisette says
Hahaha I didn’t even catch that! Now I have to watch it again!
Michael says
I can’t watch the video since I’m at work but this is just outrageous. The first thing is who cares what race “Santa” is, but the most obvious thing, as you said – SANTA ISN’T REAL! I mean it’s just insane. The depths of ignorance of some people never fails to shock.
Lisette says
Oh Michael, you HAVE to watch it. The best part is her “apology” for people not understanding “humor.” #smh
Madi says
I don’t even understand why the race of Santa needs to be addressed. A. He’s a fictional character, as sad as that is. B. Why can’t everyone have their own Santa… What if I don’t want a fat Santa? What if I want my Santa to be fit? I hate that people are so closed-minded and feel the need to label everything.
Also, on the Jesus front… I wonder why no one realizes that Jesus probably looked a lot more like the race that we all jump to label “terrorists” instead of us.
Sorry for the rant comment. I agree with you. Merry Christmas! ;)
Lisette says
No, you’re absolutely correct on both accounts!
The reason the race card was addressed on Fox News is because the network is a bunch of racist bigots. Don’t get me started. I hate that network with a passion.
Nicole says
It’s ironic that you posted this, I was going to do a post about this myself, but it ended up being so rage filled that I didn’t think it was a good post for this time of year….I think it’s insane that anyone is putting a color on something/someone imaginary. Santa is whatever each of us visualizes that he is…that teacher should be ashamed of her actions and I question why someone like her is even allowed to be around children.
Lisette says
Oh she wasn’t a teacher, she’s a news anchor. But one could debate the difference in this situation haha.
Trust me, I have a few choice words I chose to keep out of this post. I despise Faux News.
Nicole @ Treasure Tromp says
My favorite part about all of this is that MK was SO determined to make everyone else look bad for not getting her “joke”. I die. Also, you should read Jackie’s post about how Santa is Korean: http://www.jadeoak.com/2013/12/santa-is-korean.html. the best.
Lisette says
Yes! She’s ridiculous.
Also I read Jackie’s post and it reminded me of my preK experience. We had two Santas. One was a white male and the other a black female. The black female was Ms. Diana, my teacher. I never saw anything out of the ordinary in that situation (neither the duplicate Santas or their race/gender) and I continue not to see the problem. I attribute it to growing up in NYC but I’m a really accepting person.
Thanks for stopping by!
Holly H says
It cracks me up when people insist Jesus was white. Um no. Not likely!
Kerry says
Sometimes you just have to shake your head at ignorant people. It is such a shame that a fictional character has to be labeled. Really?! P.S. I made the pumpkin PB dog treats this weekend and the pup loved them!
Lisette says
I’m glad they liked it!
And yes it is ridiculous.
Brittany Ruth says
She’s clearly an idiot. Who would make such sentiments on National TV.
theKatrinaM says
Don’t you just love Faux News? I swear they only hire 3 grade level educated people. Wait using the term educated may be offensive to the actual word. Moving on.. I found out Santa was my mom when I was around 7. I never left cookies because let’s face, apartments don’t have a chimney. Also there isn’t a need for one when you live in SoCal.
Where in the middle east do you see anyone looking like a blond haired blue eyed surfer? I’ll wait!….. I actually offered to send her a bible and she declined that gesture.
I would love to see her reaction when she finds out that not only was Jesus a Jew but he’s a Socialist. It’s in the bible, the same book she refused yet use for her political views.
That who channel is a joke.
Megan C. Stroup says
Faux News??? Ha! How have I NOT heard that one before? I love it. I actually studied journalism in college, and we studied Fox News so many times for examples of what not to do. Sheesh.
theKatrinaM says
No? Never? OMG! I thought everyone heard about the “Faux” instead of Fox. hehe I still don’t know how the executives of that station haven’t figured out why they are a running joke in general. She’s still allowed on television after vomiting that non-sense yet Martin Bashir was forced to quit?
This should be a nation wide college curriculum for journalism, on what not to do.
Lisette says
I’ll take it one step further. Let’s make high schoolers study this. Not everyone makes it to college. This way we will educate most of the population.
Lisette says
If so many people study Fox News as examples of what NOT to do, why hasn’t anything changed?
Anna says
I used to be very religious, but am pretty much the farthest thing from it now. I mention that only because I grew up believing things I saw and heard every single week in church, like, you guessed it….Jesus’ whiteness!! When I started drawing my own conclusions about things I’d previously simply “believed to be true”, one of the first questions I asked was, “how was Jesus from the Middle East, but looks like he’s of European descent?”. Religion or no, it just doesn’t make sense!
Rachel G says
It’s always scary to me when people try to make arguments based on Jesus was white or (and I’ve seen this one!) English is the language Jesus spoke. That’s just so weird….
And I think the “real” Saint Nicholas of the stories was European, so probably white…but Santa Claus himself doesn’t even exist…
Lisette says
What?! English is the language he spoke?! :::head desk:::
Megan C. Stroup says
Oh man, I can’t believe this even needs to be an argument. You’re the second blogger I follow who has posted about this, and luckily you both had very tolerant viewpoints about Santa Claus. Also, I love that if someone were to see a Middle Eastern man today, they would most likely not refer to him as “white.” But Jesus? Definitely white. It’s ridiculous. Thanks for posting about such an important subject!
Kellee says
I heard about this on the radio the other morning… What a jackass!!!! Wasn’t Jesus supposed to be from the middle east? Not Germany!
Jo-Anne says
You know I have never given it any thought as to why we think Santa is white or why we think Jesus is white but hell does it really matter what colour their skin is it is who they are and what the represent that is important…………..
Susanne says
Great post!
We had a similar discussion in the Netherlands about Sinterklaas and his helpers being ‘black’. They aren’t necessarily black, they are just covered in soot for climbing in and out of chimneys… It wouldn’t matter if they were white or green or blue or black or orange for that matter, children would still love them and the holiday just as much. Skin color shouldn’t really matter when it comes to holidays, because that is different everywhere you go. And just because you look different, is doesn’t mean you are different. Everyone is the same.
Lisette says
Great points! The holiday spirit doesn’t come in different colors, so why should it matter what colors we are?
Amanda says
So dumb that this even made the news in the first place. Leave kids be for crying out loud.
Kym says
Oh my GOODNESS this story is unreal. Are they not trained on how to speak to the public? I love your response to this and I secretly hope it ends up on her desk!
Oh and PS – Merry Christmas!! xo
Krystal says
Ignorant people make me so mad. In this day and age it amazes me with all the resources out there and some people still choose not to educate themselves on a topic before they speak. Completely ridiculous.
Krystal
P.S. I just came across your blog today and I love it!
Patricia says
Santa will be Melanesian at our house. :)