Andrew Sullivan is reporting this on his blog. Apparently, the effigy was found on Tuesday on the campus of George Fox University in Oregon. The President then addressed the students about it this morning.
Obama effigy found on Oregon Quaker college campus
According to the Oregonian:
A campus custodial crew discovered the cutout of the Democratic presidential nominee about 7 a.m. Tuesday. Crew member Katlyn Search, 21, a George Fox senior from Battle Ground, Wash., said the cutout was hung by fishing line from a tree near Minthorn Hall. She, another student on the crew and their supervisor took down the cutout and reported the incident to the administration. Search said Obama cutouts can be purchased at a local supermarket.
More below.
The effigy was not just a racist attack against Barack Obama, but an attack targeted at the racial minority students on campus.
The president of George Fox University this morning denounced the hanging of a likeness of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama on campus along with graffiti aimed at minority recipients of a scholarship program.
The cutout was accompanied by the words "Act Six reject." Act Six is a scholarship program that was established two years ago and is aimed at including more low-income and minority students in the George Fox student body. Students are chosen for their leadership potential; all receive full scholarships.
The reaction to the effigy at the college seemed mostly one of shock. Interestingly, for me, is the fact that the effigy was founded on a Quaker college, a religion known for its pacifist beliefs. The president of the college and students expressed dismay that this would occur at their school, especially since it violated their core religious principles.
President Robin Baker discussed the incident today during the twice-weekly campus service, which was packed. With dozens of Act 6 students and student leaders in front of the stage, he urged students to show that the display, found Tuesday, has no place in Christian ideals.
"We absolutely cannot hate those around us and say we love God," he said. "It is not possible."
I love that last quote from President Baker, because it taps into the idealistic and aspirational aspects of Christianity. To me, that's why I don't understand why Christian fundamentalists who profess such devotion to Jesus Christ and God seem to be so full of hate and fear of other people, like gays/lesbians, racial minorities, and people of other faiths.
Perhaps this is what people should be saying in order to try to preempt the republican 527's from running the racist ads that we all know they have produced and are planning to run. Talk about how racism and fearing someone just because of his race goes against God and the teachings of Jesus Christ. To quote President Baker again:
"Yesterday was not a good example of what it means to follow Jesus," he said.
Quoting the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Lincoln, the president said the university has long had difficulties recruiting nonwhite students and his dream has been to help create a university that "more broadly represents the kingdom of God."
Of course, secular liberals shouldn't be the ones talking about how racism is unChristian. Liberal Christians and Christian democrats ought to be the ones spreading this message, especially in rural, evangelical towns in states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Michigan, etc.