“I don't remember seeing any on TV. It was the traditional white Santas in the red suits, and even on the old claymation TV shows and the cartoons, (Santas) were all white,” said Andre Parker, who started his journey as a Black Santa in July.
“I wanted her to be able to fully experience being a kid and all the things that come with that, which includes Santa and the Easter Bunny,” Kennedy told USA TODAY. “We're trying to make sure kids and families are seeing the things we didn't grow up seeing so they can pass that on to their kids."
“We always say, ‘if you see it, then you can be it,'” Jennings told USA TODAY. “If they can see that Santa is Black and reflects much of the population in this community, across the country and the world, it brings a different perspective, it gets rid of stereotypes.”Kennedy said for the first four years of Emily’s life until 2020, he and his wife had no complaints from their Little Rock neighbors about the inflatable Black Santa Claus decorating their lawn.
Parker, who attends public events and makes home visits as Santas, says he’s been welcomed in his community with open arms with the exception of one negative comment.
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