Father Christmas is ‘too white’ and has no right to judge if children are naughty or nice, says woke museum

Santa Claus has been dragged into the culture wars after a museum declared the festive symbol was ‘too white’ and should stop judging children’s behaviour.

Brighton and Hove Museums made a surprising intervention ahead of Christmas, arguing that Santa Claus should be ‘decolonised’ for the sake of diversity and claiming his traditional role reinforces damaging ideas about power, authority and Western superiority.

The allegations were revealed in a blog post published on the museum’s website; In this paper, it has been argued that Santa’s familiar naughty and pleasant routine promotes a ‘Western dualism’, portraying the bearded gift-giver as a global moral judge.

‘For many children, the story of Santa Claus is as much a part of Christmas as the gifts and Christmas dinner,’ the post said.

‘But there are problems with the tale of a white Western Santa Claus who judges the behavior of all children.’

Museum chiefs went further, questioning Santa Claus’s right to consider children according to different cultures and traditions.

‘As she visits each country, she determines whether children deserve gifts based on whether they are ‘naughty’ or ‘nice,’ the blog added.

‘But who decided that Santa Claus should be the judge of children’s behavior in every community? For example, how might one evaluate Indigenous children’s practice of their own cultural traditions?

‘Told this way, the story presents Santa Claus as the ultimate authority of all societies. ‘This asks us to accept colonialist assumptions about cultural superiority.’

The museum suggested that parents should actively ‘challenge the colonial gaze’ by abandoning the idea that Santa Claus ‘rewards children based on the Western ‘naughty/nice’ dichotomy’.

‘Focus on cheering up children of all backgrounds rather than judging them,’ the post advised.

Instead, families were encouraged to reinvent Santa as a symbol of ‘cultural exchange’ rather than discipline.

‘Instead of judging Santa Claus, let him learn about different cultures’ was recommended.

‘Stories can show him that he is living his own traditions. Emphasize cultural exchange over evaluation.’

Even Santa’s workshop has not escaped scrutiny, with the museum arguing that the man in red should abandon his traditional leadership role.

Involve people from all over the world in ‘Santa’s’ workshop. This accepts global input. Make Santa work with the elves in the factory. ‘This makes him and the elves seem equal.’

And in another twist, the blog came up with the idea of ​​replacing Santa Claus entirely.

Alternatively, Santa Claus can be ‘Mother Santa’.

The document states that ‘An inclusive adaptation could include many Santas from different regions.’

‘Include a few Santas too. Patriarchy and colonialism walked hand in hand. Show the next generation that men don’t have to be responsible.’

The post concluded: ‘The aim is to move away from the narrative of colonial domination. Instead, tell a story that emphasizes cultural diversity, exchange and respect.’

The suggestions were met with ridicule; critics called the document ‘ridiculous’ and accused the museum of competing for the title of ‘Grinch of the Year’.

Lord Young, founder of the Free Speech League, said: Telegram The museum had adopted a cheerless tone.

Even Santa’s workshop hasn’t escaped scrutiny as museum suggests man in red should abandon traditional leadership role

He said: ‘I don’t think children in non-Christian countries would object to Santa blowing up their chimneys and giving them presents.

‘Is this museum suggesting they leave a note saying, ‘I’m sorry, but this is a decolonized fireplace and red-clad white supremacists are not welcome?’ If so, it should rename itself the Museum with Full and Ugly Faces.’

Alka Sehgal Cuthbert, director of Don’t Divide Us, was equally harsh.

The idea that ‘Santa Claus’ needs to be decolonized is laughable. It also shows that there are no limits to what ideologues in cultural institutions can do to undermine our sense of belonging to a common past and culture.

‘It is boring, tedious and intellectually futile for museums to play with this pseudo-radical, anti-Western politics. This is not culture; This is playground politics where there should be no public funding or official approval from mindless museums. But the museum might win Grinch of the Year.’

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove Museums sought to downplay the debate, insisting the public was “free to participate or not”.

They said: ‘This blog post was written as part of our Culture Exchange work in 2023.

‘Our role as museum educators is not to tell people what is right or wrong, but to help audiences look at history and culture from multiple perspectives and create opportunities for discussion and debate, just as we do when interpreting art, objects and historical sites.’

The Daily Mail has approached Brighton and Hove Museums for comment.