Dutch Campaign Says 15-Year Fight Largely Curbed ‘Black Pete’ Blackface

After 15 Years, Activists See Major Shift on 'Black Pete'

The Dutch figure known as 'Black Pete' — a helper to Sinterklaas who traditionally appears with a darkened face, afro-style wigs, exaggerated lips and creole earrings — has long divided opinion in the Netherlands. For some, it remains a cherished part of Saint Nicholas Eve on December 5; for others, it is a painful caricature rooted in colonial-era racism.

Origins and Campaign

In 2010 Jerry Afriyie founded Kick Out Zwarte Piet (KOZP) and the organisation Nederlands Wordt Beter ('The Netherlands Is Improving') to challenge the tradition and press for three goals: better teaching of Dutch colonial history in schools, an annual commemoration for victims of slavery and colonialism, and the removal of blackface from official Sinterklaas celebrations.

Public Debate and Tactics

KOZP staged peaceful protests whenever Sinterklaas parades featured Black Petes, and activists sometimes faced hostility from supporters of the traditional costume, including being pelted with eggs and targeted with fireworks. The campaign drew international attention and intensified following the global 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstrations, prompting broader public reflection.

'Around this time of year, you would pass hundreds of Black Petes, hundreds of white people in blackface. Today, it is different,' Afriyie said in Amsterdam, noting that many children now prefer the simpler name 'Piet' instead of 'Zwarte Piet'.

Political and Cultural Response

Public officials and organisers have increasingly shifted Sinterklaas events toward more inclusive portrayals. Even Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who had previously defended the tradition with the remark 'Black Pete is just black', urged the practice to change as the debate grew.

An Ipsos poll shows support for keeping the traditional Black Pete has fallen to 38 percent, down from 65 percent in 2016. Many municipalities now stage inclusive Sinterklaas arrivals, and some performers have adopted a 'modern Pete' look — using soot smudges rather than full blackface, colourful wigs and sequins.

Remaining Resistance

Resistance persists. Far-right politicians and some anti-immigration demonstrators have used defence of the traditional costume as a rallying point, and private celebrations often continue to feature blackface. Supporters argue the practice is about fun for children rather than racism; opponents say the imagery is a racist caricature tied to colonial servitude.

Afriyie stresses that while substantial progress has been made, the broader struggle against racism and reckoning with the Netherlands' colonial past continues. 'I think that this country has made a huge step in fighting racism. But we are not there yet,' he said.

What This Means

• KOZP's long-term advocacy has helped shift official practice and public opinion.
• The debate remains culturally and politically charged, with changes uneven across private and public events.
• The discussion ties into broader conversations about historical memory, inclusion and how traditions evolve.