Brighton museum's decolonised Father Christmas sparks backlash
Blog from Brighton and Hove Museums proposes 'Mother Christmas' and a global, culturally diverse Santa, drawing sharp criticism from cultural commentators and watchdogs.
A Brighton and Hove Museums blog sparked a contentious debate about Father Christmas, arguing the festive icon is 'too white' to judge whether children are naughty or nice. The post contended that Santa's traditional naughty-and-nice routine reinforces a Western binary and positions him as a global moral arbiter.
It questioned Santa's right to assess children across different cultures and traditions, asking who decided that a white, Western Santa should judge children in Indigenous communities or others around the world. The post floated an inclusive alternative, suggesting Santa become 'Mother Christmas' and to reframe the narrative as cultural exchange rather than discipline. It urged stories where Santa learns about different cultures, and even pitched reimagining Santa's workshop as a global collaboration that includes people from around the world.
Reaction to the post was swift and derisive. Critics called it laughable and accused the museum of vying for 'Grinch of the Year.' Lord Young, founder of the Free Speech Union, told The Telegraph the museum had adopted a joyless tone and quipped about a decolonised fireplace. Alka Sehgal Cuthbert, director of Don't Divide Us, condemned the idea as an attempt by cultural institutions to rupture shared heritage, calling it 'faux radical' and saying the movement should not receive public funding.
A museum spokesman sought to downplay the row, saying the post was written in 2023 as part of Culture Change work, and that museum educators aim to help audiences view history from multiple points of view and to foster discussion and debate, just as they do when interpreting art, objects and historic places. The Daily Mail has approached Brighton and Hove Museums for comment.
Experts say the episode highlights ongoing tensions over representation in public museums and the balancing act between inclusive programming and preserving traditional cultural icons. The post is part of broader debates about how holiday narratives are framed and how institutions address colonial legacies, especially as museums seek to expand voices and perspectives in public programming.