Researchers at the University of Minnesota have issued a stark warning about what they describe as a 'whiteness pandemic' that actively fuels racism within society. The prestigious academic institution's Institute of Child Development has established a comprehensive resource website specifically designed for parents and educators, providing guidance on how to confront and reverse what they identify as the damaging consequences of 'whiteness'.
Defining the Whiteness Pandemic Concept
According to materials developed by the university's Culture and Family Lab, the term 'whiteness' specifically refers to cultural aspects rather than biological traits. The researchers elaborated that this centuries-old cultural phenomenon encompasses characteristics including colourblindness, passive attitudes, and white fragility, which they identify as covert manifestations of racism prevalent throughout the United States.
The website explicitly states: 'Naming the whiteness pandemic shifts our gaze from the victims and effects of racism onto the systems that perpetuate racism, starting with the family system.' These educational resources are primarily directed toward Caucasian individuals, as the research team contends that children raised in white households are systematically 'socialised' into adopting harmful racist ideologies through their upbringing.
Research Basis and Methodology
The conceptual framework for these resources originates from a significant 2021 study titled 'The whiteness pandemic behind the racism pandemic: Familial whiteness socialization in Minneapolis following #GeorgeFloyd's murder'. This research received financial backing from multiple prestigious sources including the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the Institute of Child Development itself, and various fellowships from the state-funded university located in Minneapolis and St Paul.
The investigation surveyed 392 participants, all of whom were white mothers predominantly from Minnesota. The demographic profile revealed an average income bracket ranging from $125,000 to $149,999, with over 90% holding bachelor's degrees and more than 60% identifying as 'somewhat or very liberal', compared to merely 18% describing themselves as 'somewhat or very conservative'.
Dr Gail Ferguson, who serves as the Culture and Family Lab Director, acted as lead author for this groundbreaking paper and subsequently received a 2022 award from the Society for General Psychology in recognition of her work.
Educational Resources and Responses
The university's resource platform directs visitors toward various educational materials including instructional videos, practical guides, and explanatory articles that outline the issue and demonstrate how these concepts can be communicated to younger audiences. Notable examples include a blog post named 'Talking to children about racism' authored by University of Minnesota psychologist Dr Katie Lingras, alongside journalist Maressa Brown's piece 'How to explain white privilege in terms simple enough for a child'.
The website emphasises that while being raised within 'the culture of whiteness' is 'not your fault', individuals nevertheless bear responsibility for taking 'antiracist action' and actively 'developing a healthy, positive white identity'.
However, these initiatives have attracted criticism from certain quarters. The nonprofit organisation Defending Education, which describes its mission as 'working to restore schools at all levels from activists imposing harmful agendas', has publicly criticised the university's approach. Rhyen Staley, the organisation's research director, told Fox News: 'This far-left programming at a major public university is another example of how ingrained DEI is in higher education and is not going away any time soon.'
The research paper was formally dedicated to George Floyd, the Black man whose death during police custody in Minneapolis during May 2020 sparked worldwide Black Lives Matter demonstrations against police brutality and systemic racism. Dr Ferguson clarified that the study expanded upon sentiments previously expressed by Dr Rochelle Walensky, then director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), who had characterised racism as an 'epidemic' affecting public health.
