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Smithsonian Director Grilled Over Mickey Mouse, ‘White Supremacy’ Exhibit Claims

The director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History faced tough questioning from House Republicans Tuesday over exhibits and educational materials they said promoted controversial views on race and…

Andrew PowellJul 22, 20262 min read

Brandon Gill Politics Racism Smithsonian U.S. News

The director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History faced tough questioning from House Republicans Tuesday over exhibits and educational materials they said promoted controversial views on race and American culture.

According to Fox News, Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, focused part of his questioning on Mickey Mouse and an exhibit discussing the history of the character's first appearance in "Steamboat Willie."

"Is Mickey Mouse racist?" Gill asked Director Anthea Hartig during a hearing.

"Mickey Mouse is not racist," Hartig replied.

Gill then pointed to language in a Smithsonian exhibit describing "Steamboat Willie" as representing "vestiges of long-standing traditions of blackface minstrelsy."

"Would you describe that as racist?" Gill asked.

Hartig began discussing what she called the character's "historical trajectory" before responding that Mickey Mouse is "rooted in minstrelsy."

When Gill asked whether those alleged racial overtones were problematic, Hartig said it was not her role to make that determination.

Gill also questioned Hartig about the MASS Action Toolkit, a resource for museums that references the 2014 police shooting in Ferguson, Missouri, and the Black Lives Matter protests that followed.

The Republican lawmaker cited sections of the toolkit that discuss "objectivity" and politeness in the context of White supremacy culture.

He asked Hartig how the material's language could be reconciled with the Smithsonian's work.

"Can you help me square why your organization says that being polite is part of being a White supremacist?" Gill asked.

Hartig said she could not immediately recall the specific passage.

Gill then asked whether objectivity was important.

After Hartig largely agreed, Gill pointed to the toolkit's discussion of objectivity as another characteristic associated with White supremacy culture.

The 2017 version of the toolkit stated that objectivity could include suppressing emotions during decision-making, relying on linear thinking, and becoming impatient with people whose reasoning does not appear logical.

It also argued that museums have historically presented themselves as objective because their dominant norms reflected the views of most museum employees.

When Gill asked whether that characterization concerned her, Hartig responded, "It's not our toolkit."

Gill countered that the Smithsonian had promoted the toolkit for years. Other Republican lawmakers also questioned Hartig about exhibits and materials they said included sexually explicit imagery and other controversial content.

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