Brighton and Hove Museums has come under fire for the post written by its culture change team, stating the story of a “Western Santa who judges all children’s behaviour has problems”.
The author writes that Santa is presented as “the ultimate authority of all societies” and “does not recognise the complex realities colonised people face”.
Publications such as the Daily Mail have highlighted the post and branded Brighton and Hove Museums as “woke”.
However, the organisation said the post was written in 2023 “to prompt reflection rather than prescribe how anyone should celebrate Christmas”.
The blog post states: “In the popular myth in many Western cultures, Santa flies his sleigh around the world on Christmas Eve.
“As he visits each nation he determines if the children deserve presents based on being ‘naughty’ or ‘nice.’
“But who decided Santa should be the judge of children’s behaviour in every community?
“How can he assess, for example, Indigenous children practicing their own cultural traditions?”
It also says “non-Western cultures are ‘othered’” and the story “ignores many communities’ histories and traditions”.
It goes on to offer alternatives to the traditional Father Christmas tale, such as “portraying Santa as one of many winter gift-givers”, “putting Santa to work in the factory alongside the elves” or “include some Mother Christmases”.
“The goal is moving away from a colonial narrative of dominance,” it adds.
“Instead, tell a story that emphasises cultural diversity, exchange and respect.”
A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove Museums said: “This blog post was written in 2023 as part of our Culture Change work.
“As museum educators, our role is not to tell people what is right or wrong, but to help audiences look at history and culture from more than one point of view and to create opportunities for discussion and debate, just as we do when interpreting art, objects and historic places.
“The piece about Father Christmas was intended to prompt reflection rather than prescribe how anyone should celebrate Christmas. It looks at how familiar stories are shaped, whose perspectives they centre, and how they might be explored when we include viewpoints beyond a white Western perspective.
“Encouraging curiosity, critical thinking and conversation is a core part of museum education. Presenting different ways of understanding cultural stories, including festive ones, is part of that work, and people are free to agree or disagree.
“Brighton and Hove Museums wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and hope Santa, however you imagine him, brings you something truly delightful.”
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