A recent anti-racism workshop hosted by New York University's Metro Center specifically for White public school parents has drawn criticism and sparked debate. The "From Integration To Anti-Racist (FIAR) Workshop Series," organized by the Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools (MCRETS), consisted of six two-hour online sessions and cost participants $360.

The workshop aimed to promote equitable, anti-racist attitudes among White parents by encouraging reflection on internalized White superiority. Topics covered included the manifestation of internalized White superiority in actions and institutions, allyship with parents of color, building cross-racial relationships, and actively combating racism.

A view of New York University sign on the campus building.  (John Nacion/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Controversy arose surrounding the exclusion of people of color from the workshop. Leaked audio revealed a parent questioning the absence of people of color, to which an NYU official responded that constant exposure to discussions about racism would be further harmful to them. This explanation, along with flyers titled "Why a White Space" distributed by organizers, aimed to justify the racially exclusive nature of the workshop, arguing that White individuals need a dedicated space to confront their own biases without burdening people of color.

An NYU program designed for White public school parents to challenge their own attitudes toward people of color, organized by the Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools (MCRETS), garnered criticism for being exclusionary. (iStock)

Critics, including Ilya Shapiro of The Manhattan Institute, have labeled the workshop's practices as potentially unlawful. NYU has since acknowledged that the program's description regarding its intended audience lacked clarity and is working to ensure it aligns with university standards and legal requirements. The university maintains that the program's objective is to reduce racism and is part of a wider range of offerings by the Metropolitan Center for parents of all backgrounds.