This year, the Mall of America, the largest shopping center in the U.S., is making history by introducing its first-ever Black Santa. Enter Larry Jefferson, a professional Santa who embraced the festive spirit after retiring from his military career in 2014. “I love making people smile, especially during the holidays when many are going through tough times,” he shared with The Huffington Post.
Jefferson’s journey as Santa began at the tender age of 12 when he dressed as Santa to cheer up his ailing father. Years later, he donned the Santa suit again to bring joy to his nephews during a difficult Christmas. “It’s no big deal. I’m still Santa. I just happen to be a Santa of color,” he remarked, emphasizing that representation matters. Children deserve to see a Santa who looks like them, which helps them connect with the holiday spirit.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. One woman expressed that she had been waiting 25 years to meet a Black Santa, while families traveled for hours just for their kids to experience the joy of meeting him. A spokesperson for the Mall of America stated, “We’re looking to have a Santa for everyone,” and hinted at future diversifications, including potential Latino and Asian Santas. After all, joy knows no bounds!
This inclusive approach comes in stark contrast to previous debates around Santa’s racial identity, including a notable moment when a news anchor reacted with disbelief to the suggestion that Santa’s race could be diverse. But why not? Santa is a mythical figure, and he can embody whatever we choose.
Jefferson recalls a touching interaction at a Texas party where a child approached him, surprised to see a brown Santa. “Yes, I am brown. And Santa comes in many different colors,” he replied. “There needs to be more Santas of color, because this is America, and kids need to see a Santa that looks like them.”
In conclusion, the Mall of America’s introduction of a Black Santa not only enriches the holiday experience but also offers children a chance to see themselves reflected in the magic of the season. For more insights on becoming a parent, you can check out this informative blog post, or consider resources like Make A Mom for home insemination kits. And if you’re curious about the success rates of insemination methods, WebMD offers excellent information on the subject.