Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) questioned the Smithsonian National Museum of American History director on Tuesday regarding materials that link politeness to white supremacy.
The exchange highlights a growing conflict between congressional Republicans and federal cultural institutions over the ideological framing of American history and social norms.
During a House Committee hearing on July 21, Gill asked Dr. Anthea Hartig to explain why the museum's materials describe being polite as a component of white supremacy. "Can you help me square why your organization says that being polite is part of being a White supremacist?" Gill said.
Hartig said she was not familiar with the specific passage referenced. She said the text was part of a mass action tool kit that the museum did not develop.
Other Republican members also challenged the museum's current direction. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) noted that gender and sexuality are highlighted by the museum. These challenges are part of a broader effort by Republican members to contest educational materials they describe as promoting extremist viewpoints.
Some reports indicated the hearing also touched upon exhibits involving transgender themes and specific cultural icons, though transcripts from the session focused primarily on the link between politeness and racism.
“"Can you help me square why your organization says that being polite is part of being a White supremacist?"”
This confrontation reflects a larger legislative push to oversee how federally funded museums curate social and political narratives. By targeting specific definitions of 'white supremacy' and 'politeness,' lawmakers are attempting to redefine the boundaries of acceptable academic and curatorial discourse within national institutions.
