A controversial initiative from the University of Minnesota, which warns of a 'whiteness pandemic' and provides guidance on how to 'halt and reverse' it, has ignited a fierce national debate on race, education, and institutional neutrality.
The Concept of the 'Whiteness Pandemic'
Developed by the university's Culture and Family Life Lab within the Institute of Child Development, the concept defines the 'whiteness pandemic' as a centuries-old culture featuring 'colourblindness, passivity, and White fragility'. The lab describes these traits as covert expressions of racism prevalent in the United States.
The online resource, which summarises a 2021 paper by the lab's director, Dr. Gail Ferguson, was motivated in part by the murder of George Floyd. Four academics were responsible for writing and sourcing the content, arguing this pandemic 'lurks behind and drives' the existing racism pandemic.
Guidance for Parents and Educators
The initiative asserts that anyone born or raised in the US has grown up within this pandemic and has a role in stopping it, with White people holding a greater responsibility due to their power and privilege.
'If you were socialised into the culture of Whiteness during childhood it is not your fault, but as an adult it is now your responsibility to self-reflect, re-educate yourself, and act,' the authors wrote.
For White adults, this involves developing a healthy positive White identity through ongoing self-reflection and engaging in 'courageous antiracist parenting/caregiving'. The guidance stresses that talking openly with children about race and racism is crucial for their development.
The webpage, active since at least December 2021, includes numerous links to works by prominent anti-racism figures like Ibram X. Kendi and Robin DiAngelo.
Backlash and Institutional Scrutiny
The initiative has faced renewed and intense scrutiny after a report was released by the parents' rights watchdog, Defending Education.
Richard W. Painter, a former White House ethics lawyer for George W. Bush and a current university faculty member, labelled the article 'racist' and called for its removal. He argued it violates the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents policy on institutional neutrality and contravenes laws like Title VI.
'It is not our business as a public university to tell parents of any race how to educate their children,' Painter stated publicly.
The criticism was amplified by the popular right-wing account Libs of TikTok, which tagged a senior civil rights lawyer at the Department of Justice. In response, a university spokesperson told Fox News that the institution remains 'steadfast in its commitment to the principles of academic freedom'.
