Thread by @diancalondon

I attended a Fundamentalist Baptist school from k5-8th grade, a Mennonite high school from 9th-12th grade, and a liberal arts Christian college for two years before transferring to a non-religious university. As you might imagine, it was traumatizing. #ExposeChristianSchools

The textbooks at my Fundamentalist Baptist school were published by Bob Jones University. I was one of the few Black students there & the only Black student in my class. My "Christian" teachers treated me differently. My "Christian" classmates bullied me. #ExposeChristianSchools

I was forced to sit in the back of the room next to my teacher's desk, away from my classmates. I was placed in a reading group below my level (until my parents found out). I was reprimanded and punished for asking questions or defending my work. #ExposeChristianSchools

In first grade, I asked my teacher if I could go to the restroom. She yelled at me and told me no. After about twenty minutes, I ended up crying and peeing myself. She was the wife of a missionary. #ExposeChristianSchools

When a classmate & I developed crushes on each other in jr high, we were sent to the vice principal's office & told that what we were doing was a sin & not "ordained by God." That a Black girl & a white boy liking each other was a "violation of God's will" #ExposeChristianSchools

I was called the n-word and spat on so many times between k5-8th grade that I've blocked most of it out. I revisited my old school last spring for research for my memoir. I had a panic attack in the parking lot. It took me nearly an hour to even go inside. #ExposeChristianSchools

My science classes from k5-8th grade were a joke. I still don't understand some of the most basic concepts bc the majority of our textbooks were rooted in Creationism. Many of my teachers weren't certified (bc they don't have to be at a private school). #ExposeChristianSchools

In 8th grade I had to take a mandatory "Christian Charm" class. Its goal was to "develop true beauty" through Christ. Instead, it introduced me to counting calories and disordered eating which later turned into bulimia. #ExposeChristianSchools

Here's a few images from the workbook feom the class #ExposeChristianSchools

These were the only depictions of POC in the workbook #ExposeChristianSchools

Overall, the class mostly obsessed over how to be "feminine." In class we had to rate each other's "femininity." We also had to get our measurements done AND hop on a scale in class. #ExposeChristianSchools

From 9th grade to 12th grade I went to a Mennonite school, which was academically better than my Fundamentalist Baptist school, but I was still bullied, called racial slurs, & often mistaken for other students of color by faculty. #ExposeChristianSchools

In 9th or 10th grade, we watched Amistad in history class. During the Middle Passage scene, I got upset and asked my teacher if I could go to the restroom. He wouldn't let me, so I sobbed through the rest of class and my classmates made fun of me. #ExposeChristianSchools

My teachers often were amazed at how "articulate" I was. Despite having met my parents, they always asked if I was a foster child or if I was adopted. Many of my teachers assumed that I was being bused in from Philly even though I only lived 15 mins away. #ExposeChristianSchools

During my senior class trip, the girls I was assigned to share a room with didn't want to sleep in the same bed with me because I was a "n*****," so I slept on the floor. I didn't tell anyone because I didn't think my teachers or the chaperones would care. #ExposeChristianSchools

When I met with my guidance counselor to discuss my plans for college, she told me that "students like me" had no chance of getting into the schools I was interested in. At the time, I was on the honor roll, had a 3.8 GPA, & was in honors and AP classes. #ExposeChristianSchools

I applied to my top school any way & got in. Later my counselor confessed that she'd confused me for another student during our first advisement session. The student she confused me for was a foot shorter than me & although she was a POC, she wasn't Black. #ExposeChristianSchools

Because I went to Christian school from k5-12th grade, I was afraid of going to a non-religious college or university. My teachers & parents made me feel like it would lead to "eternal damnation." I thought college would be different. It wasn't. #ExposeChristianSchools

Before my first week of class, I went on a mandatory hiking trip that was required for freshman. We weren't allowed to bathe, have watches or cellphones, wear makeup, deodorant, or bring more than two changes of clothes & a limited amount of undergarments. #ExposeChristianSchools

This trip lasted for 12 days and ended with a 48 hour "solo" which consisted of setting up camp in solitude while fasting. We also had to write an essay about our experience with God during the fast. My solo mostly consisted of back to back panic attacks. #ExposeChristianSchools

The curriculum at my Christian liberal arts college was way more open-minded than the curriculum at my high school had been. Despite this, the same microaggressions occurred. Professors challenged my racial identity and frequently asked "What are you?" #ExposeChristianSchools

One of my English professors frequently asked me "Are you sure you're just Black?" during class and even in the dining hall. According to him, my "bone structure" and "accent" didn't "seem Black." To this day, I still don't know understand his fixation. #ExposeChristianSchools

One Feb, the student paper ran a piece on interracial dating which included this quote: "It's not spoken verbally but we know that it's better to bring home a Caucasian than a Black person." They also failed to run anything celebrating Black Hist. Month. #ExposeChristianSchools

If we wanted to watch R-rated films, we had to get permission from our RAs. Any opposite gender hangouts had to occur before curfew and dorm room doors had to be open at all times if someone of the opposite gender was present. #ExposeChristianSchools

One semester, I worked as a historical reenactor in a play that was associated with my college. Since it was about the Salem witch trials, I was a "servant girl" because it was the only role my boss felt was historically accurate for a "student like me." #ExposeChristianSchools

Halfway thru the fall semester of my sophomore year, I realized that I couldn't take it anymore. I was tired of explaining my identity to professors & RAs, tired of people touching my hair, & sick of having less freedom on campus than I did back at home. #ExposeChristianSchools

I also was disgusted by how hypocritical my college was when it came to confronting racism, sexism, and homophobia on campus. They preached progressive politics, but when donors and trustees complained, they'd back peddle. #ExposeChristianSchools

I met a few amazing folks while there, but mostly I felt isolated. My depression, self-injury, & bulimia was the worst while I was there. In some ways, I feel like my decision to transfer to a non-religious university was solely for the sake of survival. #ExposeChristianSchools

It's frustrating to realize how much money it cost to go to Christian school from k5-12th grade and how expensive the tuition was at the college I went to for two years. It's frustrating to realize how much it all cost emotionally as well. #ExposeChristianSchools

In short, Christian school made me turn away from the church. I know that there are Christians who are compassionate, kind, & inclusive, but bc of my Christian education & its resulting trauma, what I once considered a source of salvation is now a trigger. #ExposeChristianSchools

As a #ChristianSchoolSurvivor, I believe that compassion, community, and dialogue can foster progress. I also believe that Christianity is theologically rooted in radical love and justice. Real Christians don't align themselves with violence and hate. #ExposeChristianSchools

If you're a #ChristianSchoolSurvivor, make sure to share your story. Our voices and experiences matter. As Matt. 10:26 says: "Do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known." #ExposeChristianSchools

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