Central Nova News

A group advocating for a "race-blind America" is calling upon Salvation Army leaders to renounce their newly-created “woke” policies that emphasize so-called "Critical Race Theory."

Kenny Xu, founder of Princeton, New Jersey-based Color Us United, says the Salvation Army should set an example for corporations also promoting the controversial ideology, which holds all white American are racists.

“The Salvation Army's woke programs are a troubling sign of how much ‘anti-racism’ has infiltrated America's organizations,” Xu said. “If we can get the Salvation Army to renounce their woke policies... they can show America's corporations the way to unity is by talking about the generosity and color blind caring that causes tens of millions to donate to TSA (the Salvation Army).”

Xu says the policies run counter to the Salvation Army's long understood mission.

“The Salvation Army is beloved by Americans. It was loved because it represented how charitable and colorblind America is," Xu said. "We don't know why TSA is mandating diversity trainings.  Nor do we understand why they are demanding their members ‘repent for racism.’ Certainly no inner city kid or homeless person gets helped by such policies.”

Back in September, Color Us United, which was founded to "oppose dividing America by race, religion, sexual orientation or any other characteristic," was first to call attention to the Salvation Army's efforts to get white volunteers and donors to apologize for being "racist." It organized a petition drive in opposition that has so far received 14,000 signatures.

Xu said Salvation Army employees told him about work done by the Christian charitable organization's "International Social Justice Commission," which produced a curriculum called "Let's Talk About Racism" and a "Study Guide on Racism" to "educate" white volunteers and donors and demand they repent for being racist. The materials even argued Christianity itself is racist.

“We have heard from Salvation Army captains that such programs are undermining the collegiality that once existed. Many Salvationists are truly hurt that TSA leadership would turn around and accuse them of being racist," Xu said.  

Conservative Christian donors to the organization include Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones, Chick-Fil-A Foundation President Rodney Bullard and charter school pioneer J.C. Huizenga, who all serve on the Salvation Army’s national advisory board.

Donation solicitors for the Salvation Army are iconic for their red kettles and bell ringing.

The group brings in over $150 million per year as part of the annual campaign that began 130 years ago.