Santa Claus is a pimp and I can prove it. The Christmas season is upon us once again. Tomorrow is "Black Friday". We're once again being inundated by the Christmas songs, ads and "spirit" on this first day of the Christmas season.
However, I find it hard to believe that Black children can realistically expect an elderly, overweight white man to come down the proverbial chimney bearing gifts hollering out ho, ho, ho. If he was a radio announcer he'd be more likely to get his head split open in my neighborhood, as opposed to some cookies and milk. Santa Claus is a pimp, he pimps us for as much money as he can get during the Christmas season and beyond, as many of us have to buy our presents on credit. He comes into our homes talking about ho, ho, ho and nobody objects. What kind of image does that leave in our children's heads. He comes and he goes like a thief in the night, leaving presents while stealing our pride in being able to provide the things our children desire through our own efforts. Santa Claus is a pimp. He takes our hard earned money faster than we can make it, and leaves us with some cheaply made toys and trinkets that may not last longer than Christmas day.
There's a large contradiction between the reality of our situation here in America and the unrealistic expectations of Black children, at this time of year, that a white man will give them presents for free merely for being good. There's an unspoken expectation that if you're bad you won't get any presents. It's unspoken, but it's in the atmosphere, in the songs that play over the loudspeakers in every store, on every radio and every T.V. station.
With this expectation in mind what parent can deny their child the pleasure of receiving these gifts that seemingly affirm the self-worth of their children. Only a parent that has properly prepared their children for the lack of Christmas gifts can withstand the Christmas onslaught. Every other red blooded parent will naturally succumb to the party line.
What I'd like to say to those parents who continue to engage in this practice is that the cheap presents we give our children are not nearly as valuable as what we lose by continuing this practice. We talk about Black pride, we talk about low self esteem, what role does Santa Claus play in the process of creating this feeling of low self-esteem and lack of pride? This is a question every Black parent should ask, if they have any concern about the welfare of their children. Why should parents provide their children with all that they need for their survival and then give the credit, not to God but, to a roly poly white man who only comes around once a year.
Food for thought! I dare say.
Next blog: The Black Madonnas, fact or fiction!
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