{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreiegw2pdtuvx52t4gkyfsi2u2skhh27sdkxcdid6hb3sgmo5xnom5a",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:oznbnvgr7dmvddiyvr7dih52/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnaxoasntix2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreif2hcsi2mk4puyzlqizsbbeknxza3sxbmfc7t7hk2o3hgsxeyye6e"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/png",
    "size": 3178748
  },
  "path": "/news/charles-dickens-guidance-offence-woke",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-01T19:18:01.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "British exam board axes George Orwell's debut novel but adds 'poorly researched feminist attack'",
    "Plaid Cymru accused of 'cultural extremism' and 'rewriting history' in bid to decolonise museums",
    "Safety fears as woke church welcomes biological men into women's toilets",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nA museum has been branded \"ludicrous\" after staff were told Charles Dickens would \"cause great offence today\".\n\nStaff at Rochester's Guildhall Museum have been given guidance on how to respond to visitor queries about the author's opinions on race and empire, despite the institution having received no complaints on the matter.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe advice instructs employees to acknowledge the celebrated Victorian author held views that \"can cause great offence today\" and to distance the museum from any positions deemed \"particularly upsetting\".\n\nMedway Council, which operates the museum, said the purpose was \"not to diminish his importance, but to ensure staff are equipped to address historical issues accurately and sensitively where they arise in conversation with visitors\".\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe guidance concerns the museum's permanent \"Making of Mr Dickens\" exhibition, inaugurated by Queen Camilla in 2022.\n\nShane Waterman, a historian who has led tours of Rochester for 10 years, branded the museum's approach \"ludicrous\".\n\nHe told the BBC: \"Comparing his views from 170 years ago to today is really ludicrous.\"\n\nMr Waterman argued Dickens was considered progressive during his lifetime, noting his advocacy for the poor and his liberal political outlook.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe historian suggested many of the author's controversial statements are frequently quoted without proper context, particularly those concerning his son Walter's being sent to India in 1857.\n\nMr Waterman added: \"Time moves on, we learn from things.\"\n\nHe maintained Dickens' private correspondence reflected a father's anxieties during a turbulent period rather than representing his broader legacy.\n\nAn internal memo circulated to museum staff outlined specific concerns regarding the author's stance on the British Empire.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * British exam board axes George Orwell's debut novel but adds 'poorly researched feminist attack'\n  * Plaid Cymru accused of 'cultural extremism' and 'rewriting history' in bid to decolonise museums\n  * Safety fears as woke church welcomes biological men into women's toilets\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIt said he believed it was \"the best way to make the world more like white, middle-class England\".\n\nThe document also noted Dickens \"made a link between race and moral worth\" in portions of his writing.\n\nMuseum officials highlighted the author's response to the Indian Mutiny of 1857, during which thousands of British people lost their lives, and Dickens demanded retribution.\n\nThe guidance acknowledges \"today we reject his views\" whilst noting during Dickens' era, prominent figures advocated for \"the universal worth of all people and cultures, regardless of race or background\".\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nResidents of Rochester, a town that inspired locations in Great Expectations and The Mystery of Edwin Drood, rallied behind the literary icon.\n\nLorna Povey said: \"I just think it's all gone a bit mad, to be honest,\" arguing against judging historical figures purely through a contemporary lens.\n\nSue Knight and Christina Smith dismissed the guidance as \"silly\", suggesting it risked undermining something that partly defines the town.\n\nMs Knight said: \"Things he was writing about are still relevant today, and Dickens is a big part of what the high street celebrates.\"\n\nGB News has reached out to Medway Council for further comment.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Museum’s Charles Dickens guidance branded ‘ludicrous’ as staff told iconic novelist would ‘cause great offence today’"
}