Adventist Black Awareness Celebration Fails After School Published Photos of White Students Painted in Black

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.

After being criticized by so many, the Adventist institution removed the images and published an apology; however, the Gurupi Adventist College board did not accept 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. These are the new church educators who will not apologize for THEIR own errors. They blamed the kids. 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.

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.

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This release was published on openPR.