GCC Alumni in Support of Dr. Jemar Tisby
Comments
#208
I just finished listening to Dr. Jemar Tisby's chapel address. It is full of Christian truth. Truth that may be difficult for the Church to hear but truth none the less.The Ad Hoc Committee of the Grove City College Board of Trustees report does not accurately reflect Dr. Tisby's address and it is disheartening that the Ad Hoc Committee would speak about it in a negative manner. The Ad Hoc Committee have clearly shown themselves amongst "the white moderates" that Martin Luther King regretted were "the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom".
Matthew Bauman (Forest Grove, 2022-05-01)
#219
I believe our faith in Jesus should be held above our political ideologies and that does not seem to be what happened in this instance.Christi Mischler (Girard, 2022-05-01)
#221
IJeremy Covert (Webster, 2022-05-01)
#223
This is not the GCC I align with. I no longer support the college as an alum when it prioritizes politics over faith.Sarah Boyd (Grosse Pointe Park, 2022-05-01)
#224
I’m signing because I’m a follower of Christ and I believe Grove City College should align themselves more with Christ’s love than with politics.Ryan Boyd (Grosse Pointe Park , 2022-05-01)
#228
I believe GCC is on the wrong side of history with their views on inclusion, equity, diversity.Mary Beth Covert (Webster, 2022-05-01)
#233
Dr. Tisby’s contributions to the church and in academia are invaluable. While open discourse and debate produces empathy and development, silencing voices creates division and breaks bonds within all communities. Grove City College has chosen to divide and actively harm the Christian community, BIPOC, and we all suffer as a result of their hate and willful ignorance.Katherine Babb (New Haven , 2022-05-01)
#241
Our filter for what is good and right and true should be the teachings of The Gospel, and not narrow political agendas veiled as gospel. I always believed Grove City College to be a place of faith over a place of politics. I certainly hope it will choose that path for its future.Laura Doherty Collins (Nashville, 2022-05-01)
#242
As an alumni with a current student on campus - I am both embarrassed and horrified with the college allowing a fringe group of radical parents to push their politics in this way. It is the most un-Christian platform possible and the trustees need to shut this down now. My son chose another college because of this controversy, as he does not want to be affiliated with any institution that is seen as a racist, intolerant haven for parents wanting to keep their children from actually learning. This is not the college I graduated from in the 1990’s, I would love to see a return to true education and actual Christian values.Wendy Kinnear (New Castle, 2022-05-01)
#243
As a 2018 GCC graduate I have sensed a shift in the prioritization of politics over faith my the leaders at the college and it has concerned me. I was disheartened to hear that the college was condemning Dr. Tisby his call for social justice which I think is very relevant and important to my faith! I think seeing the college apologize would comfort me that GCC is still in line with my morals and deserving of my pride and monitary gifts.Ellen Upton (Iowa City, 2022-05-01)
#244
First & foremost, Dr Tisby is a brother in Christ. Has he been treated as such by the leadership of GCC? I do not think so. This is an opportunity for them to show humility, seek forgiveness, and ask how the Body of Christ can move forward in this hard work of racial reconciliation. I pray that GCC can rise to this moment.Missy Murchie (Henrico, VA, 2022-05-01)
#247
I am so dishearten by GCC. As a woman of color who experienced microaggressions, biases, and racism at GCC, I would cut all ties with this institution if I could. Somethings aren't worth saving.Reena McCormick (Pittsburgh, 2022-05-01)
#255
Class of 2015David Pepley (Pittsburgh, 2022-05-01)
#256
I have read Tisby’s books and wholly support his work. As a white Christian woman living and working in an urban environment, I daily am witness to the realities that Tisby discusses, and have sadly found that white-led evangelical churches so often miss and/or gloss over the reality of institutional racism and the Church’s role in historical and modern day racism and racial and economic divides in our Country. Tisby’s is an important voice to be heard, and Christian organizations who attempt to silence his voice are in denial and sin in failing to acknowledge both Gospel realities of justice as well as our faith’s failure in the realm of racial justice and true Gospel reconciliation.Rebecca Saadeh Nelson (Philadelphia, 2022-05-01)
#258
Jamar Tisby is a thoughtful, CHRISTIAN voice on racism in the contemporary evangelical sphere. Grove City should be embracing a dynamic conversation on these issues, not hiding from them.Jennifer Franzke (FPO, 2022-05-02)
#260
GCC alumna disappointed at direction the College is headed.Jennifer Sumerak (Solon, 2022-05-02)
#261
We need to know our history. All of it. And we need to talk about it si things get better.Cynthia Donahoe (Pittsburgh, 2022-05-02)
#268
GCC needs to do what is right. Class of 1985Steven Taylor (Collegeville , 2022-05-02)
#269
God is not a republican or a democrat.Brandon Riley-Mitchell (Seven Valleys, 2022-05-02)
#275
I value Dr. Jemar Tisby and his work. I find it troubling that a Christian college is jumping on the anti-CRT bus without clearly defining (or understanding?) CRT or being able to engage with Dr. Tisby's positions. Instead of humble dialog for understanding, it seems they have taken the route of shutting out voices that would disrupt narratives and challenge ideas. One wonders where Jesus would be invited to speak!Tim Nelson (Murfreesboro, 2022-05-02)
#277
Listening to others and being curious about their them worldviews and the experiences that shaped them shows a respect for our fellow travelers, for other reflections of a multifaceted God who loves us *all*.Elisabeth (Honess) Clark (Syracuse, 2022-05-02)
#280
Class of 07Stefanie (Kiper) Schmidt (Kensington, 2022-05-02)
#288
I'm signing because, as an alumni, I am ashamed of how Grove City College handles "diversity" and puts politics over their principles of faith.Adeli Brown (Butler, 2022-05-02)
#292
I am signing as a professor of theology at Seattle Pacific University and an alum of GCC (Katie Lewis at the time). Dr. Tisby was a guest speaker who brought deep faith and a compelling vision to my classroom. It seems the board has conflated faith and politics in ways that are revealed through their statements. A truly “free” college would embrace the opportunity to learn and even join the discussion of critical race theory.Katherine Douglass (Seattle, 2022-05-02)
#294
I support Dr. Tisdale. And i believe current Grove City students should be exposed to diverse viewpoints to help them develop their own world view. College should be an opportunity to broaden one's horizons. GCC said it wanted to appeal to more minority students and professors but the board actions send a different message.Barbara Bird Evans '75 (Sardis, MS, 2022-05-02)
#306
Class of 2003Tim Tobitsch (Pittsburgh, 2022-05-02)
#312
As a GCC alumna, I am extremely angry and disappointed that GCC is enabling white supremacy, engaging in revisionist history, and harming people of color. While I received a wonderful education from GCC, a major gap in my education was a lack of understanding in race and diversity. There were also multiple instances during my time there, such as with homecoming floats, OB activities, and theatre productions, where the school engaged and promoted racist activities and humor. Jemar Tisby has not changed his positions, GCC has changed in the way that it enables fear, otherness, and right wing propagandaCaroline Delp (Chicago, 2022-05-02)
#316
God works in wonderful ways. The Chapel presentation by Dr. Tisby has now been heard by many more people as a result of GCC's response. Notwithstanding, the report and, by extension, GCC have been gratuitous and pandering to a petulant subset of stakeholders at the expense of Dr. Tisby. My favorite part of all of this is the submission of the letter by anonymous professors. Maybe they should also begin walking around campus with sheets on their faces.Steve Hall (Charlotte, 2022-05-02)
#317
GCC alumni - Christians should be leading the way for the discussion on racial reconciliation as Jemar Tisby is.Amy Kellogg (Dubai, 2022-05-02)
#325
As an alumna of GCC, I was appalled to hear how Dr. Tisby has been disrespected by this "report" authorized by the Board of Trustees.In 2021 I co-hosted/co-sponsored two webinars with Dr. Tisby where he presented, and responded to, his two illuminating and transformative books. The webinars were received with much gratitude and affirmation for his scholarly and clear presentation of historical facts that implicates the Christian Church in the promotion and continuation of racism, while also offering viable ways to fight racism. While this is difficult for white people to hear and accept, we must not ignore hard truths in order to fulfill our calling to be Christ's agents of love and transformation for the benefit of the common good, most especially for those who have been oppressed and marginalized.
It is distressing and disheartening to see how GCC has taken such a hard turn to the right, making certain political views, not the gospel of Jesus, their guiding light.
Rebecca Husband Maynard (Thurmond NC, 2022-05-02)
#326
I'm signing because I witnessed minimal levels of diversity while attending GCC, with numerous examples of racial prejudice and insensitivity. The fact that the school seems to be taking steps to minimize, censor, and discourage racial justice conversations is deeply disturbing.Eric Hayes (Cleveland, 2022-05-02)
#333
The committee’s statement has inaccurately portrayed and oversimplified Tisby’s breadth of historical research and gospel interpretation as CRT. Pointing out the facts of history and present time and calling Christians to react in justice based upon knowledge and not just hopeful generalizations is a path for all of us to be truly united in Christ and not just hopefully brought together through some vague sense of Christian love.Thomas Boyer (Pittsburgh, 2022-05-02)
#347
I stand in solidarity with the authors. The GCC Board of Trustees must give an account for their misinformed and inaccurate portrayal of Dr. Tibsy's work.William Nelson (Cockeysville, 2022-05-02)
#359
Dr. Tisby and any other faculty/staff members who are leading discussions on challenging topics should not be treated this abysmally.Jessica Jopek (Pierce) '13 (College Park, 2022-05-02)
#363
As an alum and as a person of color, and as a Christian, I am deeply saddened by so many of the ways in which both the far-right mob has been addressed in their critique of CRT and especially the way in which the college dealt with the empty charges against Dr. Tisby. The college owes Dr. Tisby a public apology and it owes its alums an apology for bowing down to the idol of a social media Hydra.Laura Coulter (Grove City, 2022-05-03)
#367
As a 1979 graduate of GCC, I am appalled by the college's very un-Christlike treatment of Dr. Tisby. We all come from the same source and as such must strive toward understanding and acceptance of all persons.Margaret Hanna (New Castle, 2022-05-03)
#372
Christians should be leading the way with racial reconciliation. What you did was wrong, and he deserves a public apology from GCC. This is not the first time since graduating I’ve been ashamed to call myself an alum.Carrie Shaw (Mechanicsburg, 2022-05-03)
#375
I find the open letter by the full-time faculty at GCC deeply disturbing (in terms of content and rhetoric). How is a topical, elective education class on cultural diversity and advocacy controversial? Then, to argue that the purpose of the class was political indoctrination...time for the rest of the faculty to make a stand! Slavery is a large part of the basis for our wealth and privilege in America. Denying that and refusing to question the role of the law in upholding white supremacy perpetuates the stain on which our country was founded. Christians should be the first ones to admit this and seek forgiveness and reconciliation. "Let a hundred flowers bloom; let a hundred schools of thought contend."Christopher Anderson (Falmouth, 2022-05-03)
#376
I am disappointed that GCC would put politics over faith. This is caving into political fear over the high standards of scholarship GCC has a reputation for.Natalya Lawlor (Manassas, 2022-05-03)
#379
Because I grew up in Ford City, PA and although the college’s position doesn’t surprise me, it does sadden me.Past due time for change…
Courtney White (Jacksonville , 2022-05-03)
#381
I’m signing because I’m appalled. This is callous behavior by the board. They must do better.Briana Latta (West Chester , 2022-05-03)
#384
If you are going to disagree with what is being said at least represent it fairly. This report was a witch-hunt that had to find some witches and so it didSamuel Duguid (Beaver Falls, 2022-05-03)
#390
I’m signing because I want to again be proud of my alma mater, and I want to be able - in good conscience - to encourage my children to attend GCC as well. Abolishing racism is part of a Christian’s sacred duty. Open and respectful conversations are critical to fulfill that duty.Bridget (Kelly) Harmon ‘98 (Erie, 2022-05-03)
#392
Having actually read Dr. Tisby’s work, I would suggest the GCC board humbly do the same. The college desperately needs to learn from a diverse lineup of Christian perspectives, now more than ever.Please approach this issue with humility, love, and a gospel lens, instead of succumbing to conservative hype and fearmongering.
Kara Cutler (Charlotte, NC, 2022-05-03)
#396
I’m signing because I’m disgusted by my alma mater and want to make sure they know that the majority of their alums (aka former donors) are, too. If shedding light on racial and social injustice and supporting efforts to make sure everyone has equal rights is NOT Christianity, then what in the world is Christianity and why would the world need it??!! I guess Jesus said “Love thy neighbor as yourself - unless it brings to light ugly truths about society you don’t want to face and in that case ignore other people’s suffering so you don’t have to feel bad?” If you are against studying racial injustice, you are not actually living a Christian life. Period.Chelsea White (New York, NY, 2022-05-03)