December 9, 2020, 8:34 am
In a reminder of how ‘people can’t have anything,’ a Black man in Arkansas man received a racist letter about his Black Santa decorations, from a white man writing as Santa Claus.
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According to channel THV11, Chris Kennedy, a Black man who has lived in North Little Rock for three years, received a disturbing letter on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the holidays.
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“I started to read and of course the first word that sticks out is negro,” he said in the news reporting concerning the letter.
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The letter reads: “Please remove your negro Santa Clause yard decoration. You should not try to deceive children into believing that I am a negro. I am a Caucasian white man to you and have been for the past 600 years. Your being jealous of my race is no excuse for your dishonesty.”
“Besides that, you are making yourself the laughing stock of the neighborhood.”
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The letter he received also included a photo of a white Santa, showing the fictional character with two thumbs down. Per the report, Kennedy said that the letter was sent through regular mail.
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“I saw that something was coming from the Lakewood Property Owners Association, but I thought it was kind of odd,” Kennedy said, noting the logo on the envelope.
However, Evan Blake, the LPOA executive director, said the letter was not from his organization and that the association wanted Kennedy to remain in the neighborhood. The LPOA provided Kennedy a membership and said the letter was racist.
“We don’t want the people that wrote that letter in the neighborhood. That’s what we don’t want,” Blake told THV11.
“It’s done my heart good to see his displays for the last three years especially given who he lives next to,” said neighbor Dennis Smith in the video reporting. “I hate it that their family’s having to go through that but we’ve been praying for him.”
Kennedy posted the letter on social media, which drew attention and messages of support: “Our neighbors have been awesome. People have dropped off cookies and notes and I’ve gotten messages from Facebook.” One neighbor even sent their own letter, writing how they look forward to the family’s Black Santa and to “not let the hate of one neighbor bring you down.”
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“I promise you there are many more of us who love your yard,” the letter continued. “You and your family are a part of this community as much as anyone else. We see you. We hear you. We stand with you. Long live Black Santa!”
“If I’m a laughing stock by trying to provide joy to other families’ children down the street going to school by having out a Santa Claus and decorating for Christmas, so be it,” said Kennedy.
*First Published: December 9, 2020, 8:34 am
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