theGrio

Back to the Top

Main menu

Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • Music
    • The Dish
  • Health
    • Ask Dr. Ty
    • Black Men’s Health
    • Black Women and Breast Cancer
    • Back to School Health
  • Living
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Living Forward
    • Books
  • Politics
    • Perry on Politics
  • Sports
  • News
    • Good News
  • Opinion

News

'Chocolate Santa' leaves a bad taste in some mouths

by theGrio | November 12, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Comments
Print
VIDEO – Garyville, Louisiana man calls himself the “Chocolate Santa,” but he’s considering a name change after some recent serious concerns.

A Garyville, Louisiana man calls himself the “Chocolate Santa,” but he’s considering a name change after some recent serious concerns.

Although the man who has called himself “Chocolate Santa” has been around for 39 years, delighting children in the metro area around the holidays, some people don’t think the name is appropriate.

Critics of “Chocolate Santa” say they were shocked when some children brought home fliers from the St. John Child Development Center bearing his name. They said children don’t see a person’s race and it should not be brought into the school.

“Color shouldn’t matter,” said Tonia Marzilla, aunt of one of the students.

Chocolate Santa said he was the one who put the word “chocolate” on the flier, not the school.

The superintendent of schools said that, after looking into the matter, the statement made on the flier created by the photographer was inappropriate. He said that the district, as a whole, advocates respect and academic excellence and he regrets that anyone was offended.

The principal of the school said he is considering canceling next week’s visit.

  • Katt-Williams-arrested-for-burglary.jpg
    Next Story:

    Black comedians crack up under Hollywood pressure

  • VIDEO – A United Airlines pilot was removed from an aircraft, suspended by his airline and now faces up to two years in a U.K. prison if convicted on criminal charges…
    Previous Story:

    Pilot arrested in London, accused of drinking before flying

Filed in: News, Top Stories, Video | Related Topics: Christmas, Controversy, Louisiana, Santa, School
  • Learn about our User Panel

    Read More
  • New Stories on theGrio

    • HPV vaccine cut infection by half in teens HPV vaccine cut infection by half in teens
    • Real-life ‘Snakes on a Plane’ incident Real-life ‘Snakes on a Plane’ incident
    • Obama renews calls for nuclear reductions Obama renews calls for nuclear reductions
    • Serena’s Steubenville remarks stirs controversy Serena’s Steubenville remarks stirs controversy
    • Rihanna hits fan with microphone
    • Lolo Jones’ bobsled joke backfires
    • Former gold medalist sprinter suspended amid probe
    • Is Kanye getting a pass for sexism?
  • What Your Friends Are Reading

  • More from theGrio

More Stories on theGrio

Top News

Politics

  • US First Lady Michelle Obama waves after her husband US President Barack Obama delivered a keynote address ahead of the G-8 summit at Waterfront Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland on Monday, June 17, 2013. (AP Photo/ Paul Faith, Pool)

    First lady inspires youth of Ireland

  • Obama rejects Bush comparisons

  • White House threatens veto of bill with food stamps cuts

  • Polls: Obama ratings start to slip

» Read More in Politics

Business

  • This May 1, 2013 file photo shows Jay-Z at "The Great Gatsby" world premiere at Avery Fisher Hall in New York.  (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, file )

    With Samsung, business is booming for Jay-Z

  • Jay-Z announces new album

  • Dunkin' Donuts: Workers who endured racist rant will be 'honored'

  • Greene Scholars seeks to place black youth in STEM jobs

» Read More in Business

Living

  • People come out of their homes to a flooded street after Hurricane Katrina hit the area with heavy wind and rain August 29, 2005 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Katrina was down graded to a category 4 storm as it approached New Orleans. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

    Climate change vs. black America

  • Serena Williams works teeny bikini on Miami Beach

  • Daughter inspires mom's natural hair care company

  • Dad to son: A secret to get ahead

» Read More in Living

Inspiration

  • Ethel “Ellie” Hylton

    Woman graduates with highest GPA at Harvard

  • Adele honored by Queen Elizabeth II

  • Man finds father through Facebook

  • South Africa's interracial couples

» Read More in Inspiration

Entertainment

  • Scott Disick in 'Yeezus' promo video

    Scott Disick plays 'American Psycho' for Kanye

  • Cosby pays tribute to his late son

  • Beyoncé, video game company settle lawsuit

  • New film explores 'How to Make Money Selling Drugs’

» Read More in Entertainment

News

  • At the end of a violent weekend in Chicago, an officer fatally shot a 15-year-old boy police say turned a weapon on officers in Englewood. (Photo courtesy of NBC Chicago)

    Chicago teen fatally shot by cops

  • Officers allegedly sell inmates drugs

  • Trayvon Martin case haunted by Emmett Till

  • Woman sentenced to death at 16 is freed

» Read More in News

Main menu

Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content
  • Politics
  • Living
  • Video
  • Inspire
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • News
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with TheGrio
  • About
©2013 NBCUniversal
Powered by WordPress.com VIP