The Madrid City Council has sent several children in the Chamartín district a video in which a King Baltasar played by a white actor wearing makeup and speaking as if he does not know Spanish correctly addresses them, promising that their majesties will leave many gifts for them. his good behavior during the last year.
In the video, which has gone viral on social media, it is clearly seen that it is a white person with painted skin and eyebrows to simulate the features of a black person, in addition to speaking with a forced accent.
Criticism is directed at the practice known as blackface, which was born with the use of theatrical makeup used by whites to caricature a black person and which was very common during the 19th century. The term blackface is used to denounce racist situations.
According to what sources from the Madrid City Council have told Efe, to make these videos, six actors were hired to play the wise men: "Five black men and one who isn't." However, they argue that the actor was chosen "based on availability" and "the last two Baltasares have had covid."
From the district of Chamartín, with around 140,000 inhabitants, the Municipal District Board has sent these personalized congratulations from the Three Wise Men to the children whose parents have requested it from December 1 to 26.
