To the Editor:
I fear that the article "Men's center to be safe space," in the April 4 edition of the Review, may give some readers false impressions of the proposed Oberlin Men's Center.
The article began, "What does it mean to be a man? This was the question behind the planning meeting of the Oberlin Men's Center..." This was not the case, not even in an abstract sense. The question behind the meeting was "What should the Oberlin Men's Center be like?" and that was all. Yes, many were concerned that the center be a comfortable to explore issues of gender and identity--for those that wish to. All the participants agreed that the role of the center should not be to preach a "correct" way to be a man. Yet the article seems to imply that the center would be primarily a gender studies resource, and evangelical at that. This impression is reinforced by the text below the headline, "Center a place for all to discuss issues of gender, sexuality." Why is that the most newsworthy part of the proposed center, which will also provide currently nonexisting resources like up-to-date information on health and sexuality, will work to make SIC and SAST more accessible to men, and will be a referral and resource center for a wide range of other community services for men?
On a side note, the article inaccurately states that "the SIC is sponsoring the fledgling group, paying for copying and other organizational start-up costs..." SIC has kindly offered to pay for copying costs, but that is all. Also, the article misstates my academic standing, calling me a sophomore.
It is unfortunate that your readers' first introduction to the Oberlin Men's Center was slanted in a way that may lead many men to think that the center has nothing to offer them.
Copyright © 1997, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 125, Number 20, April 11, 1997
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