Posted: Aug. 7, 2021
Cairn University, a Christian school outside of Philadelphia, was the first Bible college in the United States to open a social-work program. But now the school has decided to shut down that historic department -- simply because it doesn't want to teach students how to address racism.
New accreditation guidelines require social-work programs like Cairn's to address racism in their curricula. It seems Cairn would rather turn its back on its own legacy than acknowledge the reality of systemic racism -- but students and alumni are protesting the decision.
"We talked about racism in an open and direct way," one social-work graduate told Religion News Service. "Any work that we have done towards diversity, equity and inclusion, it's always been met with pushback," said another recent graduate.
Cairn's decision is part of a national right-wing effort to stop schools from teaching students the facts about racism. This is unacceptable: Christian organizations have a responsibility to oppose oppression and work for equality. Let's show Cairn that Christians across the country support the students and alumni who are fighting back.
Sign the petition:
Love thy neighbor.