Will Montgomery Use a Black Santa Claus in Future Christmas Parades?
Could controversy soon be swirling around Montgomery’s annual Christmas Parade? Keeping with tradition, Santa Claus will ride on the very last float…but some people say he needs to go, unless the city includes more diverse Saint Nicks.
It’s an issue that was brought up during Tuesday night’s city council meeting.
Businessman and activist William Boyd says he doesn’t believe a white Santa Claus should ride in the city’s Christmas parade. He told the council he thinks the city should use either a black Santa Claus or no Santa at all.
“Last year, when we attended the Christmas parade, my daughter noticed that Santa Claus was a different color,” Boyd says. “And she asked me the question like dad, you said Santa Claus was black but that was a white Santa in the parade.”
City councilmen did discuss the subject but Boyd says he wants action.
“Take Santa Claus out of the parade because we have African, we have Chinese, we have Mexican, we have a diverse city.”
We asked some Montgomery residents what they thought.
“Snow is always white so what’s the difference whether or not, it’s the spirit of Christmas that counts,” says Michael Dickson.
“If there was a black Santa, I don’t think it’s a big deal. If there’s a white Santa, I don’t think it’s a big deal either way. I just think it’s something people are trying to make a big deal out of,” says Wade Corbett.
“It doesn’t matter to me,” says Dora Pickett. “It really doesn’t. I’m used to white anyway.”
But would the city use a black Santa? Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange says the city has a list of Santas who’d like to volunteer for the parade but none on that list are black.
“I actually called them last night and said, do we have a person that’s African American on our list and we do not,” Strange explains. “And so obviously, for this year we’re already set for that. But I’m not opposed to that. I thought he made some really good points last night.”
This year’s Christmas parade is on December 19th.
