To the Editors:

The coverage and spin put on the current status of SAST by the Review is appalling.

The same tactic was used that is always used to invalidate, further disenfranchise and silence people of color and our allies: the issue is framed as we are creating a problem as opposed to responding to it — we are perceived to be hostile instead of perceived to be acting in self-defense.

White people are so defensive that anything that challenges them in the slightest way, is perceived as “attacking” and unnecessary and of course, my favorite: divisive.

Yes, this campus needs a hotline. Yes, we need resources. Thanks for finally noticing. Isn’t it interesting that we’ve been advocating for more institutional support for years and it is now that we get the front page and an editor’s comment — when the story is the “crazy” people of color are bringing up race and taking away concrete support? How convenient. How racist. How typical of Oberlin.

Of course the Review is not going to base their point of view on the perspective of students of color. How could you? We are only “issues” to you: “problems,” “ideologies,” “statistics.” Our experiences with SAST are not on the front page, and if so, it is “complaining” not the truth of how we survive violence multiple times by not having support, violence that is overt and subtle, violence that you might understand if you would take the time to listen, without getting defensive.

Take the time to hear us and believe us before telling us what racism really is and how it feels (because white people obviously know what it’s like, both on a day-to-day basis and in terms of coming from a history of colonization, right?) There is no room to even go into the history of SAST — it doesn’t seem to matter to print that at this point because this is bigger than SAST. Why don’t you look at how you are even approaching this? How is the issue being framed? Who isn’t at the table? And don’t you dare point to one or two women of color who are — because you should know better.

It isn’t about one woman of color being quoted or two men of color on the Review editorial board. It’s about the nerve of saying this is an “inexplicably sudden shift in priorities” — no it isn’t.

There has been no shift to prioritize women of color survivors being supported. There has just been an explosion of backlash telling us to get back in our place and stop making trouble. Well, I can assure you, that that is not going to happen. I can also assure you, we don’t need the Review or SAST — we will find ways to support our community as always, on our own.

–Julie Dulani
College senior