Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. apologized on social media for tweeting a custom image of a mask featuring people wearing a Ku Klux Klan costume and blackface.
Falwell Jr. issued his apology Monday after several staffers at the school resigned in protest over a two-week-old tweet in which he stated opposition to Gov. Ralph Northam’s mandate requiring people to wear face masks during the coronavirus pandemic. In his tweet, he joked that he would “reluctantly comply” with the order if allowed to wear a mask with the photograph believed to show Northam in either blackface or a KKK robe.
“After listening to African American LU leaders and alumni over the past week and hearing their concerns, I understand that by tweeting an image to remind all of the governor’s racist past,” Falwell Jr. tweeted, “I actually refreshed the trauma that image had caused and offended some by using the image to make a political point. Based on our long relationships, they uniformly understood this was not my intent, but because it was the result.”
I actually refreshed the trauma that image had caused and offended some by using the image to make a political point. Based on our long relationships, they uniformly understood this was not my intent, but because it was the result (Part 2/3)
— Jerry Falwell (@JerryFalwellJr) June 8, 2020
“I have deleted the tweet and apologize for any hurt my effort caused, especially within the African American community,” he added.
I have deleted the tweet and apologize for any hurt my effort caused, especially within the African American community. (Part 3/3)
— Jerry Falwell (@JerryFalwellJr) June 8, 2020
Prior to his apology, the university president disregarded concerns about his tweet, dismissing a letter signed by 35 black alumni who took issue with it during an interview.
“The tweet was aimed at the governor,” Falwell Jr. said at the time. “It accidentally offended them.”
Several black staffers who worked in Liberty University’s online program publicly announced they would resign effective immediately after the comments.
Yes I did resign today from teaching an online course for Liberty University! As a Black pastor and scholar who does work on racist memorabilia, I am disgusted at Falwell use of Blackface and KKK outfits. This does not represent the God of the Bible! pic.twitter.com/FC1Yh75GNj
— Christopher A. House, PhD (@DrChrisHouse) May 29, 2020
I have resigned my position as Liberty University Online Admissions Counselor effective immediately. I cannot in good faith encourage people to attend a school with racially insensitive leadership and culture. It is a poor reflection of what Jesus Christ requires of us.
— Keyvon Scott (@scott_keyvon) June 8, 2020
Last year, a photo was spotted in the 1984 Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook showing people wearing blackface and a KKK grand wizard robe. Northam, 60, admitted he was present in the photograph but later claimed he was neither the individual posing in blackface nor the person wearing a Ku Klux Klan grand wizard uniform.
“I am deeply sorry for the decision I made to appear as I did in this photo and for the hurt that decision caused then and now,” the Virginia Democrat first said. “It will take time and serious effort to heal the damage this conduct has caused.”
