A major British museum has ignited a fierce festive culture war by declaring that Father Christmas is 'too white' and his traditional role is a colonial relic that needs urgent 'decolonisation'.
Museum's Startling Festive Intervention
In a blog post published on its website, Brighton and Hove Museums argued that the classic Santa narrative reinforces damaging ideas about Western superiority. The post, written in 2023 as part of its 'Culture Change' work, claimed the familiar tale presents Santa as a 'global moral judge' imposing a 'Western binary' of naughty and nice on children worldwide.
'For many children, the story of Santa Claus is as much a part of Christmas as gifts and Christmas dinner,' the museum acknowledged. 'But the tale of a white, Western Santa who judges all children's behaviour has problems.'
Proposals to Reinvent a Festive Icon
The museum's educators proposed a radical overhaul of the Santa story. They urged parents to challenge the 'colonial gaze' by abandoning the concept of Santa rewarding children based on behaviour. Instead, they recommended focusing on bringing joy to children of all backgrounds.
The suggestions for change included:
- Transforming Santa into a symbol of 'cultural exchange' who learns about different traditions rather than judging them.
- Reimagining Santa's workshop to include people from around the world as equals, with Santa working alongside the elves.
- Floating the idea of replacing Father Christmas with 'Mother Christmas' or having multiple Santas from different regions.
'Patriarchy and colonialism went hand in hand,' the blog stated. 'Show the next generation that men don't have to be in charge.'
Backlash and Accusations of 'Grinch' Behaviour
The proposals were met with immediate derision and scorn from critics and free speech advocates. Lord Young, founder of the Free Speech Union, told The Telegraph the museum had adopted a 'joyless' tone, sarcastically questioning if children should leave notes in their chimneys rejecting 'white supremacists dressed in red'.
Alka Sehgal Cuthbert, director of the campaign group Don't Divide Us, was equally scathing. 'The idea that Santa Claus needs to be decolonised is laughable,' she said. 'This playing at faux radical, anti-West politics by museums is boring, tedious and intellectually vacuous.'
Critics accused the museum of competing for the title of 'Grinch of the year' and attempting to rupture the public's 'sense of belonging to a common past and culture'.
Museum Defends 'Discussion' Stance
In response to the growing row, a spokesman for Brighton and Hove Museums sought to downplay the controversy. They insisted the public was 'free to agree or disagree' with the blog's content.
'As museum educators, our role is not to tell people what is right or wrong,' the spokesman said, 'but to help audiences look at history and culture from more than one point of view and to create opportunities for discussion and debate.'
The museum affirmed this approach was consistent with how it interprets art, objects, and historic places. The debate continues as the festive season approaches, highlighting the deepening cultural divides in contemporary Britain.
