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

Reynolds scores 21, winner to take Minnesota 67-66 past Northwestern

Published

11 hours ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

Reynolds scores 21, winner to take Minnesota 67-66 past Northwestern

March 8, 2026 / 1:52 PM CDT
/ AP

Langston Reynolds scored 21 points and scored the game-winning basket to lead Minnesota 67-66 past Northwestern in the final regular season game of the season for both Big Ten teams on Saturday.

Reynolds was 9 of 13 from the floor and scored the final four points over the last 26 seconds. He turned a three-point Golden Gophers (15-16, 8-12 Big Ten) deficit into a win with a layup with 11 seconds left, and scored 17 in the second half.

Cade Tyson had 15 points, while Isaac Asuma added 14 points and eight rebounds. Bobby Durkin scored 12, made 4 of 8 from behind the arc and had two steals.

The Golden Gophers had a 39-29 lead at the half after opening the game with an 18-2 run fueled by nine points from Asuma.

Nick Martinelli, the nation’s sixth-leading scorer (22.7 per game), had 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting and nine rebounds for the Wildcats (13-18, 5-15). Jake West added 14 points and hit 4 of 7 behind the arc, and Tre Singleton scored 10 to go with six rebounds and four assists.

Northwestern will be the No. 15 seed in the Big Ten tournament and face No. 18 seed Penn State on Tuesday in the opening round.

Minnesota will enter as the No. 11 seed and face No. 14 seed Rutgers in the second round Wednesday.

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Minnesota

A couple mild days before chance of snow returns to northern Minnesota

Published

23 hours ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

A couple mild days before chance of snow returns to northern Minnesota

We are tracking more clouds around the Arrowhead today, but temperatures are warming up nicely to wrap up the weekend. Overnight lows were kept milder by a bit of a breeze, and that west wind will continue to push warmer air in, with sustained winds at 10 to 20 miles per hour today. By the afternoon, highs look to top out in the upper 40s and low 50s throughout the Northland.

Tomorrow will be a sunnier but cooler day for much of the Arrowhead. Winds will be rather similar to today, with temperatures remaining a little cooler, in the low 40s for the afternoon. However as we go through the rest of the week, we cool down rather quickly. Monday night will bring in a chance for snow across much of the region, and by Tuesday, we will be returning back below the freezing mark with a bit of a chill that will last through the middle of March, with highs in the 20s and 30s through next weekend.

I grew up in Central Minnesota, and my in weather and storms led me to pursue my passion for meteorology. I got my Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University, and my experiences with forecasting there led me to start my career as a Meteorologist for WDAY as well as The Forum.

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Minnesota

How To Watch Orlando Magic-Minnesota Timberwolves Lineups, Injury Report, Betting Lines & More

Published

1 day ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

How To Watch Orlando Magic-Minnesota Timberwolves Lineups, Injury Report, Betting Lines & More

The Orlando Magic have an opportunity to continue their surge on the road in Minnesota, where they’ll look to continue a win streak that began in L.A. with wins over the Clippers and Lakers.

The Magic are on a two-game weekend road trip that’s all business, featuring this contest against the Timberwolves and a matchup with the Bucks in Milwaukee on Sunday.

Orlando guard Anthony Black and center Wendell Carter Jr. returned from one-game absences to help the Magic defeat the Dallas Mavericks 115-114 on Thursday behind 19 points from Tristan da Silva.

Minnesota is perfect through three March dates and brings a five-game win streak into this matchup with the Magic. An 8-1 run dating back to Feb. 9 has lifted the Timberwolves into third place in the Western Conference, although their lead on current No. 6 seed Los Angeles (Lakers) is just two games.

The Magic have fallen behind the Miami Heat in the Southeast Division by a half-game, although they hold a tie-braker since they have defeated Miami all four times they’ve played. The Magic have slipped to eighth in the East. The entire Southeast would be headed for the play-in tournament if the season ended today.

Orlando is 13-15 on the road 13-9 against Western Conference foes. Minnesota is 22-11 at home and a solid 16-6 against Eastern Conference competition.

Vitals – How to Watch Magic at Timberwolves

Game date, time and location: Sunday, March 7, 3:10 p.m. EST, Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

TV: FanDuel Sports Network Florida (Magic), FanDuel Sports Network North (Timberwolves)

Radio: FM 96.9 The Game/AM 740 WYGM (Magic), KFXN (Timberwolves)

Magic hope to avoid three-game losing streak vs. Wolves

The Orlando Magic (33-28) visit the Minnesota Timberwolves (40-23) in the first matchup between these teams this season. After being swept in last season’s meetings, Orlando looks to win at Target Center for the sixth time in seven tries since they’ve had a lot of success there under Jamahl Mosley.

The Timberwolves won last season’s contest at home, which happens to be the most recent matchup in the series, 118-111 on March 14. Paolo Banchero scored 43 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the loss, while Anthony Edwards led the Wolves with 28 points.

Orlando had won five straight in Minneapolis prior to last season and are 8-5 over the last 13 against the Timberwolves. That has helped the Magic open a 44-27 lead in the all-time series, which dates back to 1989-90.

Betting Lines (via DraftKings)

Spread: Timberwolves -6.5 (-112), Magic +6.5 (-108)

Moneyline: Timberwolves -270, Magic +220

Total: 223.5 (Over -112, Under -108)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

PROJECTED STARTERS

MAGIC

G/F Desmond Bane

F Paolo Banchero

C Wendell Carter Jr.

G Jalen Suggs

G Anthony Black