Almost no kid in the netherlands ever thought that way tbh honestly i hope they just get it over with and go with soot covered piets cuz they go through a chimney that would fix it all. As in soot/ash spots over them instead of a full black face. Cuz these days that whole discussion is ruining it for children just change it and move on done.The intent doesn't matter and ignorance isn't an excuse. The fact that people are willing to hide behind tradition to celebrate something larges swathes of people (people who suffered and are still suffering the unbridled effects of colonialism and racism) are still harmed by should tell you that sometimes it's not about how you feel. I believe you recognize that.
If it were up to "tradition" we would still have slavery and caste systems too.
That would satisfy everyone.