Bob Jones University Apologizes For Racial 'Failures'

[sabra]

Source: wyff4

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Bob Jones University issued a statement Thursday apologizing for the school's "failures" in policies toward race relations during its 81-year history.

The Greenville, S.C., university did not admit black students until 1971. But the school also maintained a prohibition on interracial dating between students until 2000.

Bob Jones III, the grandson of the school's founder and namesake, announced the lifting of the interracial dating ban in an interview on CNN's Larry King program in March 2000, after the school had become a lightning rod during the South Carolina presidential primary campaign.

Then-candidate George W. Bush gave a speech at the school during the contentious Republican campaign that year. Bush defeated Sen. John McCain in South Carolina, a key victory in his drive to the GOP nomination and the presidency.

...


"Like any human institution, we have failures as well. For almost two centuries American Christianity, including BJU in its early stages, was characterized by the segregationist ethos of American culture. Consequently, for far too long, we allowed institutional policies regarding race to be shaped more directly by that ethos than by the principles and precepts of the Scriptures. We conformed to the culture rather than provide a clear Christian counterpoint to it. In so doing, we failed to accurately represent the Lord and to fulfill the commandment to love others as ourselves. For these failures we are profoundly sorry."


Read more: http://www.wyff4.com/education/18031718/detail.html#-

[JuniperLea]

1. Wow! Acting in a Christian manner??!?!!

Shocking... nice, but shocking... I hope they keep it up. Walking the talk is so rare!

[yellowcanine]

3. Not so fast. They basically said, "We were wrong but so was everyone else."

But not everyone else kept blacks out until 1971 or banned interracial dating until 2000.


"For almost two centuries American Christianity, including BJU in its early stages, was characterized by the segregationist ethos of American culture."

Early stages my foot. 2000 was 8 years ago.




But why any African American would even want to attend BJU, let alone date someone would go there is beyond me.

[YOY]

2. I'm afraid they are still pretty goddamn far from a legitimate university in my humble opinion.

Same for Regent.

[Ex Lurker]

10. gotta start somewhere

just have to watch and see what happens next.

[YOY]

11. I highly doubt anything good.

They've been dragged kicking and screaming into using 20th century rules the 21st. They should almost be sane by 2108...of course they will still be teaching creationism instead of anything remotely resembling science.

[Lerkfish]

4. we're so sorry, no really, we're very, very sorry, we humbly apologize for ourselves and

everyone in our families and their families families...



(unfortunately I couldn't find the exact image of Kevin Kline holding Cleese upside down and dangling out the window)

[Downtown Hound]

5. Congratulations Bob Jones on joining the 20th century

in the 21st. To say you're well behind the times is like saying George W. Bush is a little grammar challenged.

When you apply that wisdom to gays, then you'll have actually made some progress.

[Uncle Joe]

6. Even if they're late, I see as this as a positive development, so I will recommend.

Thanks for the thread, sabra.

[Phred42]

7. This is just BS CYA. It would have meant something 5 years ago

This just proves what cowardly weasels they really are

[monmouth]

8. One step at a time I guess....n/t

[kskiska]

9. Al Franken wrote a terrific piece on BoJo

in his book, "Liars and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them." He posed as the father of a prospective student and interviewed at the school, pretending ignorance of school policies. His own son, whom he asked to participate, refused, so he enlisted his son's friend as the student applicant.

[Alter Ego]

12. "...but we still hate them QUEERS."

I wonder how long it will take them to apologize for this.

[mwei924]

13. Come on, that's not even a real college.

You can't be a legit university if in half of your classes, you're teaching magic instead of science.

[hadrons]

14. wow, just a couple of days ago I posted on YouTube a 1983 news report on Bob Jones racism

and how he was whining about the Supreme Court taking away their tax credits for it:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x241604

[noonwitch]

15. BJU-they are so clueless that they use their initials

I had a roommate in college who was the BJQ of WMU. I don't think she'd be at this board, though. She's a conservative.

[melody]

16. A "failure" is when you try to do something and it doesn't work

These bastards have never tried to do anything right regarding minorities.