Last week, the Mall Of America announced that they would be hiring Larry Jefferson, a black veteran, to play Santa Claus during their annual “Santa Experience.” While many were excited at the idea that Santa Larry would be bringing much-needed yuletide cheer to all during an awful 2016, the racists of the Internet unleashed their anger at the fact that there’s a black man playing a fictional character.
“St. Nicholas is white,” a commenter wrote at the bottom of a Minnesota CBS article about Santa Larry. “And the big deal is the double standard. White people get stabbed by blacks for cultural appropriation, last I checked they claimed to have a monopoly on hair braiding so keep their hands off Santa.”
A Yahoo user wrote of Santa Larry, “No…this is political correctness gone too far. Can you imagine a “white” Jesse Jackson or a “white” Muhammad Ali?” while a Facebook user commented, “I bet he climbs down chimneys and steals people’s presents.” Of course, the N-word and other racial epithets were thrown around, and the Minneapolis Star Tribune had to turn off their comments on the article, because things were getting too heated.
Others defended Jefferson, writing that since Santa is not real, he can’t be a designated color. They’re absolutely right; aside from the trademark round tummy like a bowl full of jelly, rosy cheeks, big white beard and naturally sweet disposition, Santa can be whatever color you want.
All these racists mad like “Well Santa isn’t black” SANTA ISN’T EVEN REAL https://t.co/ReCO2lCKen
— 💤 (@tortiachips) December 3, 2016
Santa, like Jesus, is black.
— rob delaney (@robdelaney) December 4, 2016
White people getting mad over a black Santa at the mall of America is the most 2016 thing I’ve ever heard.
— tess (@that1mum) December 4, 2016
white people are offended at a black Santa…y’all gonna be blown away when you find out where Jesus is from…
— ? ???? (@levantina_) December 4, 2016