Apparently Change Takes Longer in Rural Universities, Even Christian Ones

<![CDATA[
Just when you think that White people have finally come to terms with an African-American candidate — dare I still say, front-runner — for the presidency, you see stuff like this.

Hot off the Oregonlive newsfeed: Obama likeness found hanging at George Fox University.

Considering that I know many George Fox alums (I’m related to one, good friends with another) and a few GF students (also related to one)… and, considering I came **this close** to landing a job there as campus liaison for the students in the Act Six program, I can honestly say that this story disturbed me pretty deeply. (Especially the tidbit that the effigy of Obama was labeled with the words ‘Act Six reject.’)

I will admit, however, that although it took awhile for the sting of losing out on that position to heal (as I am very passionate about reconciliation in academic and faith communities), from the outside looking in, I’m quite thankful not to be either Robin Baker or Joel Perez, who now have the unenviable task of sorting through this mess and leading the campus toward a greater sense of community and responsibility.

I’ve just now I’ve become aware of the departure of Burel Ford, the former multicultural director, which apparently happened just a few weeks ago. There’s probably no direct correlation between what happened today and his departure, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the current working environment that precipitated this prank is part of what made it desirable for him to leave.

And, if that were the case, I wouldn’t entirely blame him for that choice.

It seems like only yesterday that I was removing posters with provocative imagery from the sign in front of my church.

Ah, the good old days, when racial tension only flared up in the city.

Lord, help us.

(No, that’s not just an expression. Seriously, Lord… help us.)

EDIT (9/30):

Four GFox students have since confessed. I might be wrong, but according to everything I’ve read, there goes the left-wingers-did-it-for-attention theory.
]]>