During a House committee hearing on July 21, 2026, Anthea Hartig, the director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, faced inquiries from Republican lawmakers regarding certain exhibits they labeled as 'woke.' Questions included whether Mickey Mouse could be considered racist and the implications of a toolkit discussing 'objectivity' as a feature of White supremacy. Hartig stated that Mickey Mouse is not racist but acknowledged the historical context of the character, referencing its ties to minstrelsy. When pressed about the toolkit's characterization of politeness as a trait of White supremacy culture, Hartig noted that it was not her role to determine the validity of such claims. The discussion highlighted concerns over the portrayal of historical narratives within museum exhibits.
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Smithsonian Director Responds to Questions on Exhibits Characterized as Woke
Anthea Hartig, director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, was questioned by House Republicans about exhibits they deemed 'woke.' Key topics included the characterization of Mickey Mouse and the implications of a museum toolkit discussing objectivity in relation to White supremacy. Hartig responded to the inquiries, emphasizing the historical context of the exhibits.
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WATCH: Smithsonian director pressed on woke exhibits: ‘Is Mickey Mouse racist?’
Smithsonian Director Responds to Questions on Exhibits Characterized as Woke