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University of Minnesota Faces Blowback Over 'Whiteness Pandemic' Webpage

The university cites academic freedom after conservative outlets spotlighted the lab resource page.

Overview

  • A Culture and Family Life Lab page within the Institute of Child Development describes a 'Whiteness Pandemic' and offers resources to help 'halt and reverse' it.
  • The site urges White adults to self-reflect, re-educate, and practice antiracist parenting, framing whiteness as culture rather than biology.
  • Linked materials include works by Ibram X. Kendi and Robin DiAngelo and a child-focused explanation of white privilege.
  • The page highlights a paper co-authored by lab director Dr. Gail Ferguson tied to the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, based on a sample of mostly liberal, higher-income White mothers, and concluding that family socialization perpetuates racism.
  • Funding sources listed include the National Institute of Mental Health, advocacy groups have condemned the effort as 'far-left programming,' and a university spokesperson affirmed a commitment to academic freedom with no removal or investigation reported.