Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s administration is facing criticism for organizing a racially segregated retreat for “BIPOC” librarians, funded by taxpayer dollars. The event, scheduled for October, is intended exclusively for librarians who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color, according to documents obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF).
Minnesota State Library Services, which is part of the Walz administration, describes the retreat as a “professional development and network-building” event designed specifically for “BIPOC” library workers in Minnesota. Public funds will be used to cover costs such as hotel accommodations, meals, and other expenses, the documents show.
Controversially, the event’s sign-up form notably excludes “white” and “heterosexual” from the available options for race and sexual orientation. This follows a pattern in the Walz administration of hosting racially exclusive events. In 2022, his Department of Education held teacher trainings from which white educators were barred from attending. Similarly, his Department of Veterans Affairs organized events where white participants could only attend as “stakeholders” or allies to non-white and LGBTQ veterans.
Nicole Cooke, a University of South Carolina professor known for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), is slated to be the keynote speaker. Cooke has been a strong advocate for integrating DEI and social justice into education and library systems. Her work emphasizes the need for libraries to focus on racial justice, and she has argued that failing to educate students on these issues amounts to “malpractice.”
Tamara Lee, the state librarian directing the retreat, has also been outspoken about her commitment to racial equity. In past writings, she has argued that “niceness” is a “tool of white supremacy” and that it is essential to begin educating children on racial activism at an early age.
The event has raised concerns among those who see it as divisive and discriminatory. The Walz administration’s continued use of public resources for racially exclusive programs is likely to intensify the debate over the role of government in promoting DEI initiatives in public institutions.
