Chocolate letters with Zwarte Piet imagery pulled from UvA and HvA
UvA and HvA’s catering company Cormet has removed all chocolate letters from its cafeterias in response to a complaint from an UvA student that the images of Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) on them are racist.
‘A week ago I saw the chocolate letters at the cash register in the E-building of Roeterseiland,’ says Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage student Paul Kisner (27). ‘I want the UvA to be an inclusive place. One without racism. I believe that as a white person it is my responsibility to help make the academic world more inclusive.’ Chocolate letters are commonly given as gifts during the Dutch tradition Sinterklaas. His helpers, the Zwarte Piet (Black Pete), have for the last couple of years been embroiled in controversy and debate in the Netherlands, as many argue the depiction of a black servant is racist.
Diversity officer
Kisner emailed the catering company Cormet and the new diversity officer Anne de Graaf expressing his concerns. ‘The diversity officer was happy that I got in touch,’ says Kisner, and Cormet responded that they would look into it. A day later the chocolate letters were removed from all the cafeterias of the UvA and HvA and replaced with chocolate letters from Dutch chocolate brand, Tony Chocolonely.
Cormet manager Nicole Nijenkamp has not responded to questions as to why the letters were removed. A spokesman of the UvA says: ‘Some people were disturbed and therefore Cormet has been asked not to sell the chocolate letters anymore.’
