The largest mall in America is doing something that nobody expected, they are adding some color to their Santa Claus. Does it make a difference?
The Mall of America in Minneapolis has hired Santa Larry Jefferson from Dallas to be the official Santa Claus for the popular Santa Experience.
Santa’s suite is perfect down to the gold “Santa” belt buckle. His beard is a fluffy natural white and he has a wonderfully hearty “HO, HO, HO”!
In every way, Mall of America found the perfect Santa, but there is one minor change to tradition.
The Mall of America Santa Claus is black.
As expected, there are a lot of different opinions about a black Santa Claus online.
Some are very excited and think it is a good update of traditions.
As a father of a Black child I am very happy to see this. Way to go MOA.
Black Santa Coming To The Mall Of America https://t.co/Erc6frUys7— Trumpin4America (@daneincalif) December 1, 2016
Some are not so excited.
I actually feel bad for the guy. Libs treating him like a science project; 'Black Santa Coming To Mall Of America' https://t.co/u7qDc1Jdyb
— RivalThoughts (@RivalThoughts) December 1, 2016
The owner of the Santa Experience is Landon Luther and he met Jefferson at a Santa Convention in Missouri. Of the 1000 participating Santa Claus’, only one was not white. That is the one that Landon hired.
How does Santa feel about it? “It’s no big deal, I’m still Santa. I just happen to be a Santa of Color,” said Jefferson.
To the kids, it isn’t a big deal, unless the kid is also black. For the children of color, their Santa Experience could be a little more special this year, and there is nothing wrong with that.
How do you feel about a black Santa? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
