In Liberty University news, the fallout from Jerry Falwell’s racist tweet continues.
After having a come to Jesus moment with African American board members, Jerry apologized one of those apologies that says sorry if you got upset. WaPo has the story. They also report that another African American staffer –Keyvon Scott– has resigned over the matter.
In a sign that more resignations may be coming, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported yesterday that Liberty’s former Director of Diversity Retention, LeeQuan McLaurin not only resigned but has started something he calls LUnderground Railroad to help current African American staff at Liberty to leave.
LUnderground Railroad is a gofundme page designed to raise $2000 to give to 15 Liberty employees to help them leave the school. Dissent is not allowed there so they must remain silent. LeeQuan hopes these funds will help them get out of what they believe is a toxic environment.
And that may be all they have to look forward to. Nothing will change on campus if the board chair’s response is any indication. From the Chronicle:
Jerry Prevo, chairman of Liberty’s Board of Trustees, said the board met with Falwell last week to discuss his recent tweets and that the executive committee is satisfied with his response to the furor the tweets caused.
“We understand these images have been hurtful for a number of our friends to see,” Prevo said. “We also know him and know him not to be a racist. Nor do we believe that he has been running Liberty University in a way that discriminates against African Americans.”
Apparently, Mr. Prevo isn’t doing exit interviews with the people who leaving and want to leave.
The petition from African American alums now has nearly 38,000 signers and is still taking signatures here.
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Sorry, Warren, but a tweet that denounces someone for wearing blackface is not a “racist tweet.” And when I go to the link of your original coverage of that tweet, I see that you didn’t call it “racist” either. You correctly called it opportunistic, because it was an attempt by Falwell to shift attention and try to blame a Democrat for racism. Somehow, in the intervening days, it transformed from an opportunistic tweet into a “racist” tweet. Which suggests, dear Warren, that you have the disease of the cultural Left, wherein all things bad are inevitably cast as racist, even when they aren’t.
So, Jerry, Jr. issued a not-pology, the Board of Trustees bought it, and they’re determined to ignore all the rest of the fallout? It figures. I hope that Mr. McLaurin’s Underground Railroad frees enough of Liberty University’s employees to find new jobs to make a real difference to the school. Good move, sir. Even if it doesn’t make a huge difference, it certainly makes a point.
Whenever I think of this institution, it is necessary to separate the two words, and put quotation marks around each.
“Liberty.”
“University.”
This institution has nothing to do with the first, and surely isn’t the second.
I wonder how long it will be until LU issues a proclamation that faculty/staff are not allowed to communicate with McLauren.
Unfortunately, now is a really bad time to try to change jobs, since many universities/companies have hiring freezes.
An Underground Railroad…
How appropriate.
Looks like Head Conductor McLauren is making a point about Massa Jerry and his LU plantation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBOP8t2hlFQ
I’m shocked, I tell you, shocked that the Board of Trustees continues to back Falwell to the hilt!
/s
No doubt, Falwell considers LU his birthright, so he’s not going anywhere.
Next up, if the protests against him continue, tweets accusing the “MSM” and liberals of attempting to destroy Christianity in America.
Loyal and Obedient cocker spaniels, every one.
Heir to Daddy’s Iron Throne by Divine Right.
Just like his REAL God.
Too bad Franklin Graham and Jeffress the Flatterer also want to be the One who sits at that God’s Right Hand.
Well, Junior does have 2 siblings who likely have equal (or at least significant shares of) ownership in LU. So even if the Board has no pull, they do. The question is at what point will they do something about it.
That depends. Are Jerry, Jr.’s siblings as contemptible as he is?
Given how they have stayed out of the spotlight, I suspect they aren’t.
Also, I suspect they also care about not screwing up their father’s “legacy”.
If that’s the case, they’ve left it very late.
Perhaps, but they also won’t be doing anything publicly. Keep in mind Sr. wasn’t exactly a model of tolerance and understanding when it came to race either. I suspect none of the kids care about it either, only about appearances that might hurt the profitability/viability of the university.
From everything I have heard, people who know Jonathan Falwell say he is a very different person than his brother with the heart of a pastor, not a politician.
That depends. Are Jerry, Jr.’s siblings as contemptible as he is?
Ken,
Just wondering where you get the information that LU has shares that are owned by individuals? As a Canadian I obviously don’t understand details of the US laws, but up here a non-profit or charity cannot be owned by an individual(s).
it isn’t privately owned, it is set up as a Trust. Although, it appears that Falwell Sr’s daughter isn’t a trustee (not according to the 2017 Form 990 for LU
I’m not familiar with any requirement that a non-profit cannot be privately owned. However, I suspect they are mostly set up as corporations or Trusts for legal reasons.
I don’t believe that a non-Profit is “owned” by anyone. I understand if one is dissolved the property of the non profit must be donated to another non profit. With that said, I know Grand Canyon U just became a non-profit. I think I read somewhere that something things can switch the other way as well but I’m really not sure
They are probably afraid that if they rock the boat that they will be killing the golden goose. Also I know a few trustees are paid a little by the University, according to the 990, I don’t know if that is tuition for children or significant others or something else.