Cornerstone University’s Anti-Communism Event
Cornerstone University in Michigan is organizing an anti-communism event featuring scholars and individuals who have survived oppressive regimes. Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño, the university’s president, explained that the event’s theme was chosen months ago due to increasing public interest in communism and socialism across the nation. The event is scheduled for October 1 and is titled, “Why Not Communism? A Wisdom Conversation on Freedom, Faith, and the Future of America.”
Moreno-Riaño expressed concern about the dark history of communism and socialism, indicating that the university felt a responsibility to educate its students and community on the moral issues associated with these ideologies. Grand Rapids, where the university is located, is part of Kent County, an area that recently saw Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed secure over 61% of the vote. El-Sayed has campaigned with Hasan Piker, a Twitch streamer who defends communism as a noble end goal of socialism.
Key speakers at the event include Seth Dillon, CEO of Babylon Bee, Dr. Gary Saul Morson, an expert on Soviet communism, Xi Van Fleet, a survivor of Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution, and Yeonmi Park, a North Korean defector.
Yeonmi Park shares her harrowing experiences from North Korea and warns that if the United States loses its freedom, global consequences will ensue. Park highlighted the rise of interest in communism among students who learn about it in conducive environments, without real-world exposure to oppressive systems. Drawing from her own experiences of escaping North Korea and suffering human trafficking in China, Park stresses the practical implications of adopting communist policies here.
A significant portion of the world’s population, approximately 74%, currently lives under autocratic regimes. Park emphasizes the uniqueness of freedom and the importance of protecting it, warning that losing America means losing a place of refuge.
Dr. Moreno-Riaño correlates the defense of freedom with Cornerstone University’s Christian values, stating that liberty is a core aspect of the Christian faith as it is derived from the gospel. The event aims to encourage students to actively participate in civic matters rather than remain passive observers.
The educational initiative strives to produce engaged citizens who reflect both their faith and commitment to the nation.