(Headline USA) Brown University dropped a course requirement that excluded white students from enrolling in a certain class after facing backlash for discriminating against non-minority students.
The “Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction” teacher training course at the Ivy League School was initially offered only to “BIPOC” students, meaning, black, indigenous and people of color.
The Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism submitted a complaint against the university shortly after, arguing the school was openly segregating its students based on the color of their skin.
“As an organization committed to pro-human anti-racism, FAIR supports efforts to achieve greater fairness and assist those in need of financial assistance in higher education,” the foundation wrote in the letter.
“We believe, however, that establishing a teacher training program based on skin color or ancestry violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.”
In response, the university agreed to open the course to all students, regardless of skin color.
“The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher training program will be open to individuals who live in the United States regardless of race, color, or national or ethnic origin,” the center’s director, Eric Loucks, said in a statement.
“Applications for the program will next open in August, and our promotional materials for this program will reflect its inclusive nature,” he added.
“Upon further review of our early promotional materials for the program, we realigned them to reflect the program’s inclusive nature while still meeting the goal of addressing the needs, life experiences, and priorities of marginalized communities.”
The purpose of the course will still be to “reach future teachers who have a special interest in or history of personal engagement with the experiences of black, indigenous, and/or Latino/Latina/Latinxpeoples and others who have been underrepresented in the mindfulness field,” Loucks continued.
“This is regardless of the participant’s race,” he said.
