🚨EXCLUSIVE- They fired him, he’s firing back: an interview with Professor Sam Joeckel
In his first interview since he was fired, I talk with Professor Sam about the ordeal his university is putting him through for teaching racial justice.
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Professor Samuel Joeckel has been teaching a unit on racial justice at Palm Beach Atlantic University for twelve years. He has been a faculty member at the school for 20 years.
All of that came to an abrupt end when administrators at the school fired him for teaching about racial justice.Â
In this Footnotes exclusive, Professor Sam gives his first interview after his dismissal.
We talk about his initial reactions to the news, how his students have responded, and what all of this is teaching him about God and faith.Â
Please support Professor Sam by leaving him encouraging messages, by contributing to his financial support, and by sharing this interview with as many people as possible.Â
Help out Professor Sam and his family.
Venmo:Â @SamJoeckelÂ
We need to put as much pressure as we can on the university so they can be held accountable for their cowardice.Â
For more information on the situation see here:Â
1. Religion News Service- Professor Joeckel on why his contract, teachings on racial justice are ‘under review’
2. Substack- They Fired Him
Just finished watching the video. What a beautiful heart Professor Sam has, and what a tragedy that fear has taken him from his students. I have been thinking that the passage from Timothy should be updated to say that the love of power is the root of all kinds of evil. I truly believe this hard right turn by so many churches, universities, and others has more to do with power than money. They seem to believe that with enough power they can force people to their view of God. The problem is their god is so small and cruel and fearful and mean-spirited that not only do people want nothing to do with him, they are running as fast as they can in the opposite direction.
I lost my church community by challenging the pastor about his flippant cruelty towards transgender people. I mourned for a long time.
This was a powerful interview! Thank you for shining light on the situation with this institution and Professor Sam. We as a community of people who see the image of God in all people and seek to model our lives on the life and teachings of Jesus cannot afford to allow this kind of tragedy in service of toxic political posturing and culture wars. I hope it is a wake-up call for anyone who believes in liberal arts education and excellent teaching in a Christian context.