Update (April 26, 2017): Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary president Paige Patterson published a statement on the controversial photo at swbts.edu.
A White dean of a Texas seminary affiliated with a Christian denomination once known for its staunch defense of Black enslavement posted a controversial photo of himself and other White professors apparently dressed as gangsters on Twitter Tuesday.
Seen in the photo are the following Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary faculty: David L. Allen, dean of the School of Preaching; Kyle Walker, the seminary’s vice president for Student Services and a professor of preaching; Barry McCarty, a preaching professor and Chief Parliamentarian for the Southern Baptist Convention; Deron J Biles, a Dean Emeritus and a professor of Pastoral Ministries and Preaching; and Matthew McKellar, an associate preaching professor.
The men, dressed in variations of gold and silver chains, bandannas, hoodies, and askew ball caps, appear to be White. Several of the men shared the image online, as seen in the screengrabs below.
