This was picture 1 of 10.
Pictured above is the Adventist institution’s November 19, 2021 post that has now been removed. The post says:
“November 20th is National Black Consciousness Day. And today, our students came characterized to celebrate this very important day and to reflect on how much God made us brothers and that before him, we are all equal.” (Gurupi Adventist College’s deleted Facebook post).
These are the disgraceful results when Adventist institutions substitute the Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, reading and mathematics for shameful attempts at social and racial justice. A Seventh-day Adventist Academy in Tocantins, a state in central Brazil, decided to “honor” November 20, the national day of black awareness in Brazil. Gurupi Adventist College (Academy) posted images on its Facebook page of white students painted in black and wearing wigs. In other words, students came to school dressed in “blackface.” Blackface is when white people paint themselves dark to imitate those of African descent. Blackface is considered racist because it was often used in theater to caricature or dehumanize Africans.
On Friday, November 19, 2021, many students from Gurupi Adventist College came to school dressed in blackface. Remarkably, the school then started posting photos of its students in blackface on its Facebook page and this created a negative reaction from the community. Even the local news broke the story. [1] [2] [3] After being criticized by so many, the Adventist institution removed the images and published the following apology:
https://www.facebook.com/adventistacolegiogpi/photos/a.3079354795412393/5216139245067260/
The apology posted above by Gurupi Adventist College says:
Clarification Note – Black Consciousness Day
The board of the Gurupi Adventiata College clarifies that it is against any type of racial discrimination. The college emphasizes that the project of Black Consciousness Day carried out with the 4th and 5th grade classes, aimed to enhance the black and Afro-descendant culture at school and beyond, as well as to promote reflection and preserve black identity. The college encouraged students to freely celebrate this important day with respect and admiration for people. At no time were students painted or encouraged to paint their faces. The school apologizes for the situation this has created and commits to providing more moments with discussion on the topic. With this, the idea is to contribute to the promotion of a society that is increasingly free from prejudice (Gurupi Adventist College’s Facebook post).
The Gurupi Adventist College board is not accepting responsibility for what they did. They basically said that it was the students who came to school dressed like that. The school says it did not “paint” or “encourage” any students to “paint their faces,” and they regret that this “situation” was “created.” Yes, but teachers and administration allowed white kids to participate in the school event with blackface. No one in the administration told the students to clean their faces. No student in blackface was turned away or sent home. They allowed it and they sanctioned it and made it even worse.
Here’s what happened. The leaders of this Adventist institution published 10 images of its students with blackface on Facebook for the world to see, thinking that these kids looked so cute and adorable. They wanted to show the whole world that Adventists care about racial equality and that we work to improve personal and cultural identity. And it was only after they received so much criticism on social media and from the local news that the images were taken down and the school had to publish a retraction. In other words, nothing would have been done if no one had complained. These are the new church educators who will not apologize for THEIR own errors. They blamed the kids. The school should have apologized specifically for tolerating blackface and for publishing the images on social media. But that didn’t happen.
What we are seeing in Adventism is what is typically happening in the schools of the world. The line of distinction is being removed. Administrators and educators are allowing worldly policies, worldly customs, worldly entertainment and worldly methods to enter the church. It is not the fault of the students, it’s the leaders who are responsible. Why do they allow this? It’s all about numbers, enrolment fees and keeping the classrooms full. We just want the kids to be “woke,” “happy” and “entertained.” It is no longer about converting them to Christ and teaching them about the Bible or the pillars of the faith so they can be used to finish the gospel commission.
“The Christian worker may be Christ’s agent in drawing these children to the Saviour. By wisdom and tact he may bind them to his heart, he may give them courage and hope, and through the grace of Christ may see them transformed in character, so that of them it may be said, ‘Of such is the kingdom of God.’ ” (Desire of Ages, p. 517).
Sources
[1] https://news.tvs-24.com/news/44982.html
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