latin american princesa {LAP}

It’s a Tokyo Thing in the Post really captures some of the most fascinating aspects of Tokyo. Check out the cool videos included with the article.

I find this point particularly insightful:

A unifying thread, if there is one, is movement.

In addition to movement, what makes this city so cool is the amazing contradictions, the extremes. Non-physical movement is generated by the dynamics between all those extremes. It’s a fascinating culture and often it’s seen as cheesy by outsiders. Those people have no idea about the depth and beauty of Japanese expression.

“Yo, you white, girl!”

On a hot June day in a Colombian fast food joint in Queens, I expressed my preference for a mocha over a cafesito colombiano con leche.

“You a little bit kinda white.”

On another occasion, I explained I was doing research for my masters degree and what cultural anthropology was all about.

“Now Colombia has everything. Cause there’s some niggers*, charcoal niggers. … And then there’s white girls. I know some Colombian white girls. And then there’s us, tanned.”

A youth explains to me the diversity that developed in Colombia since the slaves were brought over, resulting in a mixed Colombian culture.

Continue reading Black vs. white? NO! color full societies…

In The Netherlands, Sinterklaas is the the manifestation of St. Nicholas. Sint, a Turkish bishop who lives in Spain, arrives on his boat every November. He rides his white horse throughout this small Protestant country, accompanied by his Zwarte Pieten (Black Peters) and on December 5th he brings presents to all the good Dutch children. The bad children are taken away in a sack to live with Sint in Spain for a year. Doesn’t sounds like a bad punishment to me, but most certainly can be attributed to the long and difficult war for independence from the Spanish Empire and “evil” king Philip. Glad to see that after 500 years or so they can forgive and forget!!

Well St. Nick is of course also the basis for Santa Claus, Father Christmas and more. Inquisitive Dutch minds however cannot understand why Santa brings presents on Christmas. After all, Sint was a generous man who on his own birthday gave gifts to poor children and that is the “historical” basis for gift-giving. And duh of course his birthday was on Dec. 5th!

Continue reading Santa’s helpers in blackface…