“Representation Is Not Liberation,” Says Red-Nosed Reindeer Community

NORTH POLE, NH— Political and cultural discord characterized the air in the North Pole this past Tuesday, when, in response to recent criticism on the lack of Black elves, Santa Claus pointed to the long-time appointment of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer as leader of his legendary reindeer fleet. “I’m not racist, Rudolph got a red nose,” the famed CEO of Santa’s Workshop said in a statement on behalf of the company.

Almost immediately Claus faced intense scrutiny, with members of the red-nosed reindeer community calling Rudolph a “well-known coon,” and “basically not even red-nosed at this point.” Red Hampton Jr., son of famous red-nosed reindeer activist Red Hampton, even gave a public speech attacking the claims, where he advised Santa to “come down to the South Pole where it’s really happening at” and “…maybe hire some actual brothers. Instead of a mixed ass reindeer who grew up in the North, went to Yale, and whose regular-nosed ass dad works on the board of [Santa Claus’] workshop.”

Rudolph has spoken out against the backlash, calling himself, “as red-nosed as any deer in the North or South.” He cited the enormous amount of visibility he’s given the community which was “…once literally unknown to the entire rest of the world,” his blue-nosed wife, and the yearly Favorite Songs list he curates which “regularly showcases and champions the artistry and excellence of red-nosed reindeer across the diaspora.”

The red-nosed reindeer community is not satisfied with his response, though. On his point that he’s given them a lot of recognition, there are critiques that “representation does not equal material liberation or gain,” and that some didn’t even necessarily want to be known in the first place. “In what world is getting a bunch of people to know a song about us, but none of our actual struggles, a ‘win’? How ‘bout you tell the rest of the world we need water! Jobs! Investment in our neighborhoods!” Red Hampton Jr. said in his speech. “I’m not anti-Rudolph, I’m just pro-revolution.”

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