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‘Tis the season to learn the truth about Santa Claus and, at the same time, focus on the meaning behind all of the holiday hoopla. First, let’s talk about Santa Claus and the widely-held belief that he’s white.
Remember, Megyn Kelly even confirmed it on her Fox News show back in 2013 when she said, “Santa just is white. And this person is arguing that we should also have a Black Santa, but Santa is what he is.” Kelly and her fellow panelists were discussing an article in Slate where the writer argued that since America was becoming less white, Santa should no longer appear as a white male.
Well, Megyn Kelly was wrong. Santa is not white. He’s also not Black. Actually, Santa Claus can be traced back to 280 A.D., near modern day Turkey and a monk named Saint Nicholas. While his race has been up for debate, scholars generally agree he was neither white nor Black.
The image we see as Santa Claus in the red suit, red cheeks, beard, and jolly face is actually a production of Coca-Cola. The Atlanta-based company commissioned illustrator Haddon Sundblom in 1931 to paint Santa Claus for Christmas advertisements only. Sundblom went on to create a series of impressions of the man many think of as St. Nicholas, and it all established the popular look of Santa Claus.
Now we hold him up as an icon, but in reality, he’s a figment of someone’s imagination.
Regardless of how white Santa came into the world, it’s important that all cultures have the right–some would argue they have an obligation–to make sure that their children see themselves in the characters they deem noble.
Now on to the spirit of the holidays. The season is literally about giving, being kind, being understanding, being loving, being cheerful, being open. That’s what the season is about.
