A Toxteth centre hosted its Christmas grotto with a black Santa in the hope it would represent diversity this festive season.
Toxteth 's Caribbean centre's Christmas grotto had a Black Santa (Father Christmas) visit the children. The Black Santa represented Christmas and diversity in storytelling.
There has been controversy caused by Black depictions of characters in films that have been traditionally white. Whether they are fictional mermaids or the symbolic Father Christmas. However, it's not what colour they are, it's what they represent that matters most to children.
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Caribbean storyteller Addae G, who dressed up as Santa, told the ECHO : "My mission is to inspire the world by telling contemporary stories that reflect the multi-cultural growth and future we want to build for ourselves and future generations. As professional Santas, we should be a symbol of festive joy who reflect and delight whichever community we serve.
"With all that’s going on in this country, particularly in marginalised communities, I want to break barriers and offer heroes and role models through storytelling. My mission is to celebrate diversity, the joy of giving and the magic of good."
The Caribbean Centre was packed with families from all backgrounds who were there to take part in the festive fun and enjoy the occasion on Sunday, December 18. To the children Santa is Santa and the colour of his face is not an issue. Parents had a different reaction.
Thyra, 25, took her four year old son Rahmir and said: "It’s great we can go to our local centre and create these special moments as I never experienced a Black Santa when younger. Even though children don’t see colour it will change the way they see the world and how black people are actually a part of society in a positive way not just the negative things portrayed”.
Rahmir told the ECHO and had words for his mum too: "I love the Caribbean. It was wonderful and great because I took the pictures with Santa and I really couldn’t wait. He even told me I was on the good list mum, so you can’t change it."
Caribbean board member Alan Crawford said: “Liverpool 8 is a multicultural area and to see the look on the faces of children visiting a Santa who looks like them is pretty special.
“It’s important to see role models they can identify. It helps to challenge the way we as a society tend to centre whiteness or treat white as default.
“That’s just as important for white children too, experiencing positive images and representation of people of colour, especially outside of music and sport. This can help to educate a generation of children less likely to hold racist or prejudicial beliefs or bias”
For information on bookings visit: www.myblacksanta.uk or Instagram @Myblacksantauk
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