America: Michelle Lu

Hi there!
My name is Michelle Lu and here are some of my opinions on Zwerte Piet, some questions for any of you, and a little spiff about me.

Zwarte Piet:

I was very shocked when I first learned about the Zwarte Piet tradition! After we watched a video of several people being interviewed in Amsterdam regarding how Zwerte Piet came about, I immediately thought of how many racist connotations are associated with the holiday. The "black slaves" and how they came to Spain to help Sinterklaas is the main shock factor for me. However, at the same I can understand why for many, the holiday isn't meant to be racist. It is just simple tradition and people don't associate black people with the slaves. It's a tradition made for the children.

However, I know that if an event like this occurred in America, huge controversies would break out! At the same time though, thinking about our Christmas tradition, we have elves that help Santa Claus, and all the elves appear to have fair skin which could also connote racism where Santa discriminates against other races.

This is the article I was skimming through to try to get a better understanding of what is exactly happening regarding Zwerte Piet. Check it out!

http://www.newstatesman.com/world-affairs/2014/07/dutch-court-has-ruled-black-pete-offensive-how-did-it-take-so-long

Which provokes me to ask any of you what you think of Zwarte Piet or even Christmas. In addition, how do you compare your values and views with both the Dutch culture and American culture? Do you feel that some aspects of American culture fit you better than those of Dutch culture? If so, what? Also just curious, what do you think about American food? Only if you want/have an answer :)

Okay, now a little about me:

I am currently a freshman attending the University of Michigan. I was born and grew up in Dayton, Ohio. I am currently studying Biology: Ecology and Evolution, French, Slavic, and Dutch: Amsterdam Culture.

I don't know what I want my major to be yet; however, I think I want to go to a Physician's Assistant school after my studies at the University of Michigan.

I love arctic animals of all kinds, and I love puppies, especially huskies and labs!

This is a picstitch of my senior prom. 

This is my sister and I at a Maroon 5 concert (my favorite band) 

This is my boyfriend, Alex, and I on vacation together this past summer at Myrtle Beach.

High school graduation photo with my family and my best friend. The blond girl, Laura, is one of my best friend's since I was 7 years old!