Eric Martin is one of the few Black Santa’s on the West Coast. The representation is important, residents say. “African American children need to see themselves here,” says one Oakland resident. Martin agrees, but he adds that when it comes to Santa, kids don’t see color. They only want to know two things: “Did you get my list? And, can you get the presents?” he says from the Fairyland amusement park in Oakland where he dons his Santa Claus suit. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES