Cardboard Obama Hung on Tree at George Fox University
I am very saddened by this news story. George Fox has a special place in my life, and it wasn’t long ago that was there.
At 7am on Tuesday morning, an effigy of Barack Obama was found hanging on a tree by some fishing line in the main courtyard at George Fox. Attached to the cardboard was a message saying “Act Six Reject”. Let me provide a little context.
- Act Six is a program for inner city (mostly minority) high school students to attend high profile Christian liberal arts schools in the Northwest on full ride scholarships based on the student’s leadership potential. I remember students coming for visits and interviews during my senior year of college. The first year of this program was the first year after I graduated.
Because this story is tied to George Fox, I know that many people will begin to look down at the university for being anti-black, anti-minorities, and/or promoting white supremacy. I believe this could not be further from the truth.
- While less than 20% of GFU students are minorities this does not replace the effort done for the university to be one that is respectful and caring towards people of all colors and places of the globe.
- The multicultural department and club was always given chances to raise awareness whether it be in chapel or through various events. I know of few Christian colleges that made the kind of effort that George Fox has to be a multicultural campus and the Act Six program only enhances that.
- The Act Six program is a step in the right direction for GFU and other colleges as well. The shot at Obama and the program by this act is ridiculous, at best.
It is my hope that this story will open up conversations around the campus amidst the students about race and bigotry, and will give George Fox University an even stronger desire to do more to become a campus of people from all walks of life.
Here is a video of university President Robin Baker addressing the campus about the incident. I really liked what he had to say.
Great thoughts from Jelani Greenidge and Eugene Cho.
Here is the statement released by the George Fox University student government team:
“We, the Associated Student Community of George Fox University, are greatly grieved at the display that was placed on our campus. The incident does not represent the student body, George Fox University, or the message of Jesus Christ. It is entirely against what we believe and practice. The heart of our intent is to maintain a strong and safe community where we value each individual regardless of race, belief, political position, or demographic. We believe this incident is not an accurate reflection of the genuine care and concern students at George Fox University have for each other.”
Does that statement resonate with you?
said: 
said: 
said: 
said: 
said: 
said: 
Tyler Braun.
Saw that this morning on the news. Very sad. Glad you posted this because I thought it did really reflect poorly on the school (not that I thought it represented what a majority or even significant amount of people think there).
I heard a story from the director of my daughter’s home school co-op recently about Hyde Park school, that in the middle of an assembly the drummer stopped playing and announced that someone had carved letters into the drum set. Silence. Within seconds the kid who had done it spoke up and confessed in front of everyone that he had done it and would talk to the drummer after the assembly and the music resumed.
I hope this will be a time for whoever did that to reflect on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the values of the school, take a good look inside and repent. And that this bad situation would result in even more reconciliation, healing and community.
As someone who grew up in the Detroit area and in a very racist family…this sort of thing should really bother us all. Like you said especially at a “Christian” school…arent we supposed to be different on this issue? Be even outside the church you would think people have come much further…
I am definitely not an OBAMA fan (as you know) but am also not a fan of racism…and still fight those old voices within me that still hangon.
I should say that while GFU is a Quaker and a Christian university…you DO NOT have to claim to be a Christian to go there. You do have a sign a statement of living saying you won’t have sex, drink, etc. Obviously this is followed pretty loosely. So while GFU is looked upon as a Christian university (and should be), there are many who are not Christians that attend. I knew of plenty while I went there.
I can only say from experience that going to Christian colleges, university, seminars, etc. (whatever you call it), does not make somebody more Christ-like in his/her thoughts and actions. I know somebody who despised Christanity, yet went to a Christian college because that person wanted to ‘Challenge the professors’.
One of the biggest mistakes of (sorry if this offends) many fresh graduates from the smaller, racially-homogenous Christian colleges is that, they learn a lot about the bible, without really knowing the ‘cultural’ differences among people beyond just “Hey, you’re from Indonesia, I hear you got big lizards and bugs there” (YES, somebody said that to me during the ‘International student culture awareness night’-and people thought irony wasn’t funny).
When you learn about other ‘cultures’, especially judging them through American point of view, does that really help people to understand each other, or does that really make those minorities stand out more??
When people only integrate on a superficial level, and not really connecting any deeper, does that still qualifies as America the melting pot???
btw I’m speaking this in general terms, not necessarily towards Georgefox.
The innocence of many college graduates is their own mistake not the colleges, in most cases. George Fox gives plenty of opportunities to go around the US for serving trips and plenty of overseas semesters abroad. I think most Christian colleges have done a great job of trying to provide opportunities for students to become more culturally aware. In my experience I thought GFU had a great balance of freedom within boundaries. Of course…most Christians would call GFU too liberal.
wow Tyler. Thanks for sharing this story. I like George Fox’s statement. I have tons of friends from Fox, including you, and really respect that school.
Jay