The Daily BuzzNova Scotia MLA Joachim Stroink under fire for blackface photo
If there's one thing we've learned from Ted Danson or bad Halloween parties, it's that blackface is never, ever a good idea.
And being seen with someone in blackface? Probably not that good an idea, either.
Apparently Nova Scotia politician Joachim Stroink missed the memo.
Stroink, a Liberal MLA from Halifax, has deleted a Twitter photo of himself sitting on the lap of Zwarte Piet, or "Black Pete," during a Dutch Christmas event Sunday night.
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According to a traditional Dutch song, Zwarte Piet is a servant to St. Nicholas. But in recent years, the character has been revised to be black from chimney soot as he delivers toys to children who leave their shoes out overnight.
Before Stroink managed to delete the post, the Twittersphere indulged in their pound of flesh.
Some traditions need to be retired. Cringing at #NovaScotia MLA @joachimstroink posing with "black peter" #nspoli pic.twitter.com/jBIY63NtC4
— Suzanne MacNeil (@esooze) December 2, 2013
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?! "@joachimstroink: Giving some love to Zwarte Piet and Sinterklass. http://t.co/XJELKjbrPo" — Mick Sweetman (@MickSweetman) December 2, 2013
@joachimstroink Traditions are also a great way to spread racist sentiment.
— Matt Neville (@mypublicoffice) December 2, 2013
On the first day of Advent, newly minted Halifax Chebucto MLA thinks it's okay to sit on Black Peter/Zwarte Piet's lap. Sigh. — Abad Khan (@AbadKhanNS) December 2, 2013
@joachimstroink I'm Dutch too. I love Sinterklaas, but we've got to let Zwaarte Piet go. Surely you can see how this could offend. #nspoli
— Ben Diepeveen (@BenDiepeveen) December 2, 2013
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