header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
December 21
1910 - Newhall (Auto) Tunnel opens, bypassing Beale's Cut [story]
Newhall Tunnel


The Real Side | Commentary by Joe Messina
| Monday, Dec 16, 2013

joemessinamugThe left is outraged that Megyn Kelly, a right-wing conservative nutjob who works at Fox, shows her ignorance by claiming Santa Claus is white.

Sure, let’s skew history to make the “progressives” feel better. Unfortunately, you can’t change truth just because it makes you feel bad.

A young lady recently wrote a piece describing how Santa, being white, made her feel bad and alienated her from the other kids because she was black. Well, we can’t change the truth, and no matter what, we will never make everyone feel good.

There are many stories about the origin of “Saint Nick.” He might have been a Turkish, Greek or Nordic Bishop Nicholas, a Christian (a bunch of ACLU lawyers’ heads just exploded). Bishop Nicholas later became Saint Nicholas because of the many miracles attributed to him.

The bishop apparently paid the dowry of three young ladies from the same family to keep them from being sold into prostitution and slavery. He also saved three men from being put to death and was known for gift-giving in all forms. After he died on Dec. 6, sometime in the 300s A.D., a tradition of gift-giving started in celebration of his life.

Kids would put their cleaned-out shoes by their beds at night to see what Saint Nick had brought them that night.

Saint Nick and the gift-giving went through many gyrations over the years, but the transformation from Saint Nick to Santa Claus, his large size, red suit and red cheeks didn’t happen until he came to America. The legend we know today, and all that goes with it, has been piled on by retailers over the years.

The reality is that the man who was Santa was white. And if he was actually from Turkey, he might have had olive -colored skin.

A young child feels bad because she is black and Santa is white? Who taught her that white people can’t or don’t love blacks, Asians, brown skin or whatever term you want to use? What a great way to keep racism alive in America. To borrow a phrase from another well-known Joe, “What a bunch of malarkey.”

Yes, Virginia, Santa is most probably white. And guess what? He delivers presents to kids of all colors, sizes, shapes and languages, in all countries and of all faiths. Yes, believe it or not, Christians aren’t the only ones who celebrate Christmas. Yes, Virginia, he loves all kids and all peoples.

Progressives, get over yourselves and stop spreading division.

Now, as for Jesus Christ, that’s another issue. Jesus is neither black nor white. He probably had deep, olive-colored skin. Jesus was a Jew, and in His day the Jews in that area were not quite brown, not quite white. But, He was not black. And what does His skin color matter anyway?

When it comes to Christ, He came for all. Color doesn’t matter, size doesn’t matter, IQ doesn’t matter. He came to save all. He loves all. What have we done to our children when the thing that bothers them the most is the skin color of a “role model” or “famous” person?

What’s next? The Easter Bunny? The Great Pumpkin? Can we please lighten up and help our kids understand that not everything that’s uncomfortable is bad? Pull the good from the situation and enjoy it.

Guess what, Virginia? If you have to have a black-skinned role model, you have many to choose from. Ask your mommy and daddy to sit on the couch and show them to you. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Booker T. Washington and Colin Powell, to name a few.

Yes, Virginia, Santa is most likely white, and it’s OK because skin color is not what matters. The love, the sharing and the joy that this Christmas season brings is what matters. And that comes in all colors.

 

 

Joe Messina is host of The Real Side (TheRealSide.com), a nationally syndicated talk show that runs on AM-1220 KHTS radio and SCVTV [here]. He is also the current president of the Hart School Board. His commentary publishes Mondays.

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

5 Comments

  1. George says:

    Jesus was not white…how do I know? If people are racist today, they were even more racist 1,000 years ago…had Jesus been white, the Bible translators would have trumpeted it in the Bible we use today. Most likely, they removed any mention of his skin color even if it was in the original gospel because, they would never have been able to convert pagan Europe to Christianity if they went around saying that Jesus was not white.

  2. Marilyn Boron says:

    Color didn’t count much then, but Roman Power did
    to those they conquered. Ethiopians, who are dark
    skinned, were not looked down upon either, and one
    rode in a royal carriage while traveling in Israel. Every Season seems to have its discrimination subject; right now it is the words
    MERRY CHRISTMAS! Just whose idea is that?

  3. Henry says:

    Santa Claus has no country. He’s a fictional character and St. Nicholas was only one of the theoretical contributors of his personality. St Nicholas was not Santa as we know him today. So again, Megyn Kelly apologists, please stop trying to define with certitude what skin color a made up guy should be. It’s not that he isn’t white, because obviously he is. The point is that he “can be” black and any other color we want to envision him. He’s a concept. He’s an idea of goodness and generosity that should not be considered the exclusively the domain of “whiteness”.

  4. Henry says:

    BTW Joe,

    Why is it so important to you that neither Santa nor Jesus ever be considered black? Is it really about historical accuracy? You acknowledged rightly that their race really didn’t matter only after assuring yourself and everyone else that neither could be black. Santa is a fictional character so he can be portrayed any way anyone wants(see Battlestar Galactica: I thought Starbuck worked well as a woman). I agree that Jesus’ color is irrelevant. It would not change my beliefs if it were revealed that he was definitely white. I think that is the point of this discussion; would it effect the beliefs of some white people (FOX news watchers) if they found out that Jesus was definitively black?

  5. Dave says:

    I don’t think “the left” is outraged as much as they are just totally amused by Mygen Kelly’s ill advised commentary. Interesting that she’s now trying to make the claim that “Humor is a part of what we try to bring to this show, but sometimes that’s lost on the humorless,” Funny but I’ve always viewed what little I’ve seen on Fox News as humor. http://www.deadline.com/2013/12/fncs-megyn-kelly-to-return-to-show-address-santa-clausjesus-controversy-tonight-video/

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Friday, Dec 19, 2025
There's no better way to celebrate the season than with toys, treats, and rollercoasters. My annual Foster Youth Holiday Party is one of the most special traditions we do each year
Wednesday, Dec 10, 2025
I'm overjoyed to share that as of this week, several Altadena residents have moved back into their newly-rebuilt homes in time for the holidays.
Wednesday, Dec 3, 2025
As we wrap up this incredible year with JCI Santa Clarita, my heart is truly overflowing with gratitude. This chapter has shown up in such wonderful ways, and I’m so proud of everything we’ve created together.
Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025
It’s hard to believe that our city will turn 38-years-old as of Monday, Dec. 15.
Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025
As we wrap up another year, I find myself reflecting on how extraordinary and eventful 2025 has been for our city.
Wednesday, Nov 26, 2025
Today, my team and I set out to four different sites across the Fifth District for our 8th Annual Day of Giving.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1910 - Newhall (Auto) Tunnel opens, bypassing Beale's Cut [story]
Newhall Tunnel
1892 - Benjamin Harrison establishes 555,520-acre San Gabriel Timberland Reserve (Angeles National Forest). First forest reserve in California, second in U.S. [story]
map
The Saugus Union School District Governing Board of Trustees elected Matthew Watson as 2026 board president at the Tuesday, Dec. 16 organizational meeting.
Watson Elected SUSD Board of Trustees President
Los Angeles–based painter Jasimen Phillips is a featured artist in the city of Santa Clarita’s “Pop Culture” exhibition, currently on view at the Newhall Community Center through March 25, 2026.
Phillips Examines Evolving Relationship with Technology in Exhibit
The Gibbon Conservation Center in Saugus is requesting donations, including memberships and gibbon adoption sponsorships to reach a matching goal of $15,000.
Gibbon Center Needs Donations to Meet $15K Match
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees failed to complete its annual organizational vote to elect a new board president during its meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
COC Board Fails to Elect New President in Deadlocked Vote
There's no better way to celebrate the season than with toys, treats, and rollercoasters. My annual Foster Youth Holiday Party is one of the most special traditions we do each year
Kathryn Barger | Keeping Up With Kathryn
The Canyon Theatre Guild’s production of "A Christmas Story," adds shows due to high ticket demand. Shows have been added on Sunday, Dec. 21 and Monday, Dec. 22.
CTG ‘A Christmas Story’ Adds Shows, Dec. 21-22, Due to Demand
The city of Santa Clarita will present its latest art exhibition, “Pop Culture,” on view at the Newhall Community Center now through March 25, 2026.
City Presents ‘Pop Culture’ Art Exhibit at the Newhall Community Center
This week’s Foothill League matches resulted in the Saugus boys getting a firmer grip on first place, and the Saugus girls slipping into second place. Meanwhile, holiday tournaments are bringing both wins and losses from non-league teams, with more on the way.
Foothill League Soccer: Saugus Boys, Hart Girls Leading
1970 - Snow day in Santa Clarita Valley [photos]
Saugus train station
Do you have a passion for swimming and a desire to make an impact in your community? The city of Santa Clarita is seeking individuals with strong customer service skills and a commitment to community engagement to join its lifeguard team.
Applications Are Open for the Summer 2026 Lifeguard Season
Santa Clarita Valley residents need to put down the yule log and refrain from all residental wood burning fires on Friday, Dec. 19.
Dec. 19: No Burn Day Alert Issued for SCV, South Coast Air Basin
U.S. Rep. George Whitesides (D-Aqua Dulce), announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for California’s 27th Congressional District: the “MathViz” team led by local Academy of the Canyons student, Gautham Korrapati.
Whitesides Announces 2025 Congressional App Challenge SCV Winners
The Mardi Gras Madness 1K/5K/10K, set for March 1, in Santa Clarita, is more than a race, it’s a celebration of health, community and giving back. Now through Wednesday, Dec. 24, take $10 OFF race registration with promo code WINTER10 at checkout.
March 1: JCI Santa Clarita Holds Mardi Gras Madness 1K/5K/10K Runs
Theatre Extempore will present the all time classic musical The Fantasticks, 8-10 p.m. Jan. 9-11. 15-18 at The MAIN.
Jan. 9: Premiere of ‘The Fantasticks’ Presented by Theatre Extempore
West Ranch High School senior Braulio Castillo (17) never did any long-distance running before high school, but what he has accomplished in that demanding discipline since taking it up is impressive. And, so far his senior year, it is phenomenal.
West Ranch Runner Going the Distance
Powerlab Studio will hold its grand opening and ribbon cutting 4:30-5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8 at 28110 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia, CA 91355.
Jan 8: Powerlab Studio Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting
B2 Entertainment will have a Cookies With Santa event, 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21 at 21516 Golden Triangle Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Dec. 21: Cookies With Santa at MB2 Entertainment
The College of the Canyons soccer programs will be hosting 'Friday Night Footy,' small-sided pick-up games, running on Friday evenings Jan. 2 through June 26 at the COC Soccer Facility.
Jan. 2-June 26: Cougars Soccer Programs to Host ‘Friday Night Footy’
College of the Canyons sophomore pitcher Nichole Muro will continue her academic and athletic career at Cumberland University after signing with the Phoenix softball program.
Muro Signs with Cumberland University Softball Program
College of the Canyons men's basketball won its fourth straight contest in an 80-72 affair at Napa Valley College on Monday afternoon, Dec. 15 as freshman Julius Washington led all scorers with 20 points.
Cougars Win Fourth Straight 80-72 at Napa Valley
Canyons women's basketball snapped a five-game losing streak with a 60-44 win over Diablo Valley College during the final day of action at the Napa Valley Storm Surge tournament on Saturday, Dec. 13.
Canyons Finishes Tourney Weekend with 60-44 Win Over Diablo Valley
SCVNews.com