The black Santa controversy

This week a bulletin board in Foster Quad asked the question, “Can Santa Claus be a black man?”

It further posted, “If Santa is a black man, would you let him come down your chimney?” “If Santa Claus is a black man, wouldn’t he only visit the ghetto?”

The messages were intended to start a discussion about existing racial stereotypes.

But the execution of the bulletin board was misguided and justly sparked outrage.

The bulletin board was removed Monday evening, and Mark Land, IU’s associate vice president of public affairs and government relations, issued a statement.

“(We) apologize if the images offended anyone — that clearly wasn’t the intent,” he said.

Though the bulletin board was taken down, the effects of its message still remain, and they bring an even larger issue. We are not in a post-racial America.

The simple fact that the question “Can we have a black Santa Claus” was asked shows how racist our society still is.

The sad reality is that some still find the idea of a black Santa Claus scandalous. In all of the holiday stories I’ve ever read, Santa’s race was never mentioned.

So why is it outrageous for Santa to be a non-white member of society?

IU needs to foster racial discussions that teach acceptance and understanding,
whether it’s about a black Santa or something less holiday-themed. Additionally, the
University should allow for better avenues for minorities to voice their opinions since they are overshadowed by the majority.

The possibility of minorities gaining a larger say seems slim, though.

IU’s freshman class has a 19 percent minority enrollment. That means out of the 7,604 students that became Hoosiers this year, only 1,445 are minorities.

The 19 percent doesn’t stand close to the actual population of the United States.

About 37 percent of the United States is considered a part of the minority population.

Racial stereotypes are more than just numbers, though. You can walk through the halls of Ballantine and hear racial slurs being tossed around in multiple conversations.

These slurs are unfounded and perpetuated only by their use.

As a public education institution, IU has a responsibility not only to make every race a part of its culture, but to also expand the student body’s notions on what race truly is — not to further disseminate ignorance.  

A colorblind society can’t be achieved until the idea of a black Santa becomes a societal norm.

Let’s hope our future holidays on campus can better encompass all races of Hoosiers at IU.

­— andlzimm@indiana.edu
Follow columnist Andrea Zimmerman on Twitter @AndreaLZimm.