Commentary

Bemidji State University Has Embraced Some Disturbing Elements of Social Justice Ideology

  • By Do No Harm Staff
  • January 6, 2023
  • Bemidji State University

Bemidji State University (BSU) in beautiful northern Minnesota has been infiltrated by some ugly philosophies that are intended to divide, indoctrinate, and misinform its students.

Do No Harm was contacted by a parent who, while researching the school for a family member with an interest in healthcare, became quite concerned about the degree of divisive and radical ideology seen on the BSU website. Indeed, a visit to the BSU Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion confirms the school has a dedication to “transformative change” and “practices that center racial inequities within the classroom.” The strategic plan makes this even clearer with its priorities of infusing DEI into “academic curriculum and classroom conversations” and encouraging DEI-focused collaborations among campus departments.

Those departments include several health sciences programs. The Psychology department places a particularly troubling emphasis on radical ideologies and anti-racism. An example of its social justice position is featured on its home page and features a link to “strategies and steps to be anti-racist.” This letter to BSU psychology students (signed by nine faculty members) directs them to some highly controversial websites and instructs them to “learn about white supremacy and anti-racism” by accessing resources “on how white people can help dismantle racist oppression.”

Letter to BSU psychology students from department faculty.

Our research also uncovered six scholarships or programs at BSU that excludes certain applicants on the basis of race/ethnicity, sex, or both. A federal civil rights complaint has been filed by Mark Perry, senior fellow at Do No Harm, for multiple violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The complaint asks the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to investigate Bemidji State University for illegal discrimination.

It’s not surprising that our parent tipster eliminated BSU from consideration, and told us:

I have an interracial marriage and my child is of mixed race. My whole family does not subscribe to this DEI agenda and would like people to be judged on their merits as a human being and not by their race, gender, age, sexual orientation, etc.

These are words to live by, and Bemidji State University should take note. And, the Minnesota taxpayers who support this school must insist on it.

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