Amsterdam awards 2 anti-blackface activists for making Sinterklaas party more inclusive

Two members of the activist group Kick Out Zwarte Piet were awarded the Andreas Medal for their efforts to make the Sinterklaas celebration in Amsterdam more inclusive. Jerry Afriyie and Raul Balai received their medals on Sunday from Amsterdam Deputy Mayor Touria Meliani.

Afriyie and Balai were at the forefront of making Sinterklaas celebrations more inclusive. In 2012, they spoke to then-mayor Eberhard van der Laan about the use of blackface makeup in the children’s party. This ultimately led to a joint approach to changing Zwarte Piet’s appearance. Pieten with soot marks on their face, instead of blackface makeup, are now standard at almost all Sinterklaas celebrations in the country.

According to the municipality, the two have not only advocated for change but also furthered the dialogue by contributing to social awareness about racism and inclusivity. The municipality also praised them for their impact extending beyond the capital. On December 5, the Netherlands Gets Better Foundation, which includes KOZP, will cease operations because all its goals have been achieved. The foundation urged all Dutch people to “take up the baton” and continue the fight for a Sinterklaas celebration where everyone is welcome.

The Andreas Medal is for individuals who have made a significant contribution to Amsterdam's social, cultural, community, or economic well-being. Their efforts must have been visible nationwide, and they must have volunteered for a social cause for at least ten years.