Liberty University Alumni Sending Back Diplomas After Falwell’s Remarks on Charlottesville

Alumni upset with Falwell’s support for Trump

Jerry Falwell Jr. opted to defend President Trump in the wake of his statement on the events that took place during the white supremacy rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Liberty University’s president sent out a tweet that read "Finally a leader in WH. Jobs returning, N Korea backing down, bold truthful stmt about #charlottesville tragedy. So proud of @realdonaldtrump.”

Liberty University Alumni Sending Back Diplomas After Falwell’s Remarks on Charlottesville[/tweetthis]

Finally a leader in WH. Jobs returning, N Korea backing down, bold truthful stmt about #charlottesville tragedy.So proud of @realdonaldtrump

— Jerry Falwell (@JerryFalwellJr) August 16, 2017

At the time, Mr. Falwell thought he was just showing American support to the commander in chief but his comments didn't go down well with dozens of the university's alumni. A few hours after the tweet went out the alumni from Americas most influential evangelical Christian university created a Facebook group called "Return your diploma to LU." When journalists contacted the university they were told that the university was ready to receive the diplomas as it supported the present and former students’ right to express their opinions.

Falwell later said people took his comments out of context and that they did not understand his comments. He also did plead to the alumni to reconsider their decision to mail back the diplomas as they are important when they are looking for jobs or being evaluated for a promotion. Facebook group currently has over 600 members but it is important to note that not all are Liberty University’s alumni. The group gave the alumni a strict deadline of September 5, to submit their diplomas to the university.

Is the swastika on Liberty University diplomas embossed, watermarked, or done in invisible ink?

— Schreck Troyson (@SchreckTroyson) August 18, 2017

These alumni are not setting precedence as alumni of universities across the United States of America have employed this tactic to get the universities to act on their demands. Whether the former students do live up to their promise of returning their diplomas will be seen in due time. It is important to note the role social media plays in our times as a simple tweet could lead to situations like these.

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