I have largely tried to separate myself from my time at LU. Mostly for my own self care. I wrote on it years ago, the way I felt so different than the norms there. How it felt to see my beliefs be condemned by my professors. Having to listen to homophobia in convo and classes.

It was traumatic in a lot of ways I didn’t identify until I was gone. It was hard to believe things differently in a place where they preached that wasn’t allowed. This was on top of academic struggles I had.

Also going to that school as someone who did not have a favorable view of the senior Jerry Falwell was interesting. There were a lot of tributes to him while I was there, more are there now. And a lot of Jerry stories told in classes.

I never looked up to Jerry Falwell Jr but I did look up to campus pastors and seeing the paths they took after they left was hard. Many alum jumped onto a certain train and I knew that was not something I could support.

But Jerry changed a lot between the time I was there and when I left. He underwent a personal transformation in his public speaking. And apparently had a lot going on behind the scenes.

It can’t have been easy growing up Jerry Falwell’s kid. And it can’t have been easy taking over his role at the college. It doesn’t take responsibility for his choices and his actions but I want to acknowledge that

I don’t think today’s news should ban him from the role he was recently demoted him. I think the laundry list of careless actions he’s taken through the years should. The ones the key players ignored until it became too much to ignore.

That said, I was critical of the Liberty way when I was a student. I’m even more critical of it today. I think much of it should be removed and students should have a lot more freedom (ha!) over their own actions.

Whether he likes it or not, Jerry Falwell Jr. is tied to the school he used to helm. When he’s in headlines, the school is still mentioned. His “pool boy” met the president on school grounds. Like others, you can’t just claim something significant doesn’t matter.

I have a suspicion this won’t be the last time Jerry makes headlines. Without starting rumors, I think he has a lot of inner work to do to find peace. And until he does that, he’s going to continue making noise.

I knew something else about Jerry was gonna break while I was writing this thread!