Minnesota

‘Whiteness Pandemic’: University of Minnesota project urging White parents to ‘re-educate’ kids sparks row

Published

3 months ago

November 25, 2025

A controversial initiative from the University of Minnesota’s Culture and Family Lab has sparked a debate after it described “Whiteness” as a “pandemic” and urged White parents to actively re-educate their children.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – University of Minnesota campus on September 22, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Stephen Maturen / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

The webpage has drawn intense criticism from conservative groups and is fueling polarised discussions on race, family and education in the U.S.

Also read: Oklahoma University professor with valid H-1B visa arrested by ICE, details here

Whiteness is not a biological category- University of Minnesota

The webpage titled “Whiteness Pandemic: Resources for Parents, Educators, and other Caregivers” defines whiteness not as a biological category but as a cultural system rooted in “color-blindness, passivity and White fragility.”

The informative article argues that children born into White families are socialized into this system from birth, making family structures among the most influential in perpetuating systemic racism.

According to the lab’s materials, while racism is widely acknowledged as an epidemic, whiteness represents a deeper, underlying pandemic driving that racism. “If you were born or raised in the United States, you have grown up in the Whiteness Pandemic…because of the power and privilege you hold in this racialized society,” the site states, urging White adults to embark on ongoing self-reflection and antiracist parenting.

The study also cited a case study done after the police homicide of Minneapolis resident George Floyd, and concluded that white mothers in Minneapolis were more apathetic or overwhelmed around discussions of his mother. The paper is dedicated to this study and written in the memory of George Floyd.

The resources include guides for White parents on how to develop a “healthy positive White racial identity”, talk to children about race and privilege, and engage in “courageous antiracist parenting/caregiving.”

Backlash and institutional response

The framing of whiteness as a pandemic has caused significant backlash.

The Fox News article reports that Parents Defending Education, a conservative “parents’ rights” watchdog group, strongly criticized the University of Minnesota’s “Whiteness Pandemic” project. They said it amounted to “far-left programming”.

Rhyen Staley, research director at Parents Defending Education, is quoted as calling “absurd ideas like ‘whiteness’” gaining academic legitimacy.

The Daily Wire published an article condemning the “Whiteness Pandemic” as unscientific and broadly accusatory. They argue that the initiative effectively paints a large swath of White Americans as perpetuating systemic racism by virtue of birth. They say this is a form of generating collective guilt.

The article notes that the original academic study behind the project surveyed a very narrow, unrepresentative demographic, which is mostly liberal, well-educated White mothers. The report questions the “generalizability of the conclusions.”

The university, however, defended the work as part of academic freedom. A spokesperson said the institution supports discussing embedded cultural structures and welcomed debate, the Washington Examiner reported.

Also read: F-1 students to face major changes as US eyes to repeal ‘Intent to Leave’ rule

Defending Education’s report on the report

According to Defending Education’s own report, the University of Minnesota’s “Whiteness Pandemic” project received funding from the National Institute of Mental Health and encourages White parents to adopt “anti-racist parenting/caregiving” tools.

The report also details that the underlying 2021 study from the American Psychologist and concludes that “family socialization” into what the authors call a “culture of Whiteness” drives systemic racism.

The original report from the University says this claim shifts the narrative from individual acts of racism to condemning an entire racial identity.

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Minnesota

Lawmakers demand Keith Ellison resign as Minnesota fraud grilling turns brutal

Published

3 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Lawmakers demand Keith Ellison resign as Minnesota fraud grilling turns brutal

WASHINGTON (TNND) — Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) called on Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to resign during the House Oversight Committee’s hearing on the widespread fraud in Minnesota.

Higgins began his line of questioning by referring to Ellison’s open statement.

“Under Minnesota law, my Office has limited jurisdiction over criminal matters. The only kind of criminal case we can prosecute on our own is Medicaid fraud; any other criminal case must be specifically referred to us by county attorneys or the Governor,” Ellison said in his opening statement.

Higgins stated Ellison said that his office only had the authority to investigate Medicaid fraud, to which Ellison nodded his head in response.

But, Higgins pointed out that was incorrect.

“Under your own law, you have authority if the county district attorney asks you to get involved, or if the governor asks you to get involved, then your office can take the lead on any criminal investigation,” Ellison said.

Ellison remained speechless after Higgins asked him if that his statement was correct.

“So you have the authority to lead your state’s effort to respond to this massive fraud at the state level, from within the health care realm, where government money has been stolen at very, very high levels, unprecedented levels, in your state,” Higgins said.

“Are you leading that effort for the state of Minnesota?”

Ellison replied but his response was not picked up by the microphone.

“You’re addressing it,” Higgins asked. “Are you leading it?”

Ellison responded, “we are leading the effort to prosecute Medicaid fraud.”

“I’m not talking about Medicaid fraud,” Higgins yelled.

“Don’t hide behind that. You have the authority to prosecute anything criminally that the governor asked you to. And this thing is big.”

“I’m giving you an opportunity, sir. Are you leading the criminal investigative effort into this massive fraud across the board in the healthcare spectrum, in the state of Minnesota or not,” Higgins continued.

Ellison replied, saying his office was “following the law,” prompting Higgins to interject.

“You are not leading,” Higgins responded. “You’re not leading. I must say, Mr. Chairman, that the Attorney General of Minnesota should resign.”

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Minnesota

Maddy Kimbrel Named Minnesota’s 2026 Ms. Hockey Winner

Published

15 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Maddy Kimbrel Named Minnesota’s 2026 Ms. Hockey Winner

Maddy Kimbrel joined an illustrious group of players as Minnesota’s 2026 Ms. Hockey winner. The award is annually given to the best high school women’s hockey player in the state of Minnesota.

The Holy Family forward scored 37 goals and 57 points this season in only 26 games for her school.

She was also an assistant captain for Team USA at the 2026 U-18 World Championships winning gold. It was her second time representing USA at the event.

Kimbrel spent four seasons playing for Orono High before moving to Holy Family this season.

The 17-year-old Mound, Minnesota product is headed to the University of Wisconsin next season.

The other four finalists for the award were Alaina Gentz (Centennial/SLP), Jasmine Hovda (Roseau), Lorelai Nelson (Edina), and Mia Miller (Northfield).

Past winners of the award include current PWHL players such as Taylor Heise (2018), Peyton Hemp (2021), Olivia Mobley (2020), Grace Zumwinkle (2017), and Hannah Brandt (2012), and 2024 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Krissy Wendell-Pohl.

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Minnesota

Bemidji declares March as Minnesota Food Share Month; hears Project Graduate report

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Bemidji declares March as Minnesota Food Share Month; hears Project Graduate report

BEMIDJI — The city of Bemidji declared March as Minnesota Food Share Month in partnership with the

Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign

during a

city council

meeting on Monday. This campaign is the largest grassroots food and fund drive in Minnesota.

“Food insecurity affects thousands of Minnesotans, including residents of Bemidji and the greater Beltrami County area, and access to nutritious food is fundamental to the health and dignity, and well-being of every community member,” the proclamation reads. “Local food shelves depend on the generosity of community donations to meet the growing needs of our neighbors, and every contribution — whether food, funds or time — makes a direct difference in the lives of Bemidji residents.

“The city of Bemidji proudly recognizes the extraordinary contributions of the volunteers, donors and partner organizations whose compassion and dedication ensure that no neighbor goes without, and the city of Bemidji is committed to fostering a compassionate and caring community where all residents are supported and encouraged to look out for one another in times of need.”

Ward 2 Councilor Josh Peterson read the proclamation as Mayor Jorge Prince attended the meeting virtually. Peterson attempted to award the proclamation to a Bemidji Community Food Shelf representative, but no one was available to receive it.

John Eggers,

a former educator, gave a presentation to the council regarding his Project Graduate initiative, which promotes 100% graduation rates within Beltrami County during Monday’s meeting.

“It’s not an easy task to do, but we can do it,” Eggers remarked.

Eggers shared personal efforts to promote a 100% graduation rate within Beltrami County, such as promoting graduation as a teacher at Red Lake High School recently. He hopes to do more work in Red Lake in the future.

Eggers also formed an alliance of local Bemidji businesses to promote Project Graduate. Each business will find a unique way to promote higher graduation rates while working with the alliance. Additionally, Eggers has spent the last several years forming an advocacy program that has now spread to 12 states and five countries worldwide.

He then shared ideas for the council to follow to promote the initiative. This included joining the alliance, displaying posters, “relentlessly” promoting high graduation rates, starting a PSA campaign, adding the initiative to the city’s website or newsletter and signing a proclamation.

He noted that in 2025, the city signed a proclamation and other Beltrami County cities followed suit, meaning Bemidji could once again set the trend to promote higher graduation rates.

Ward 1 Councilor Gwenia Fiskevold Gould asked how the initiative addresses underlying issues that affect

declining graduation rates

within Beltrami County, such as housing instability and food insecurity.

Eggers did not have a direct answer, but noted that graduation often helps young people climb out of bad situations. He believes that all people deal with adversity and that graduation is an important tool to help improve their quality of life.

He also pointed out that graduation rates among white students have remained steady when compared to statewide trends, but that students of color and Indigenous students’ graduation rates are lower than the state average, something that needs to be addressed to help these communities.

Finally, Eggers noted that the initiative’s drop-out prevention hotline was recently discontinued, but that students or parents can reach out to Eggers directly to receive the help needed to stay in school.

Overall, council members thanked Eggers for his Project Graduate presentation. His contact information can be found on his website,

johnrogereggers.com.

The council will next meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 16, at City Hall for a regular meeting. Meetings can be viewed on

the city’s website.

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