Student Groups Organize Under an Anti-Racist Banner
by Shahana Siddiqui and Boro Sen

In the wake of the tragedy that began last Tuesday and continues to bear influence over the lives of people throughout the world, Oberlin students have stepped up to organize educational and protest activities for the entire community.
One day after Tuesday’s events, a cross-section of Oberlin’s student body congregated in Wilder 115, ready to talk about the next step. Just two days earlier, campus group Socialist Alternative had intended the meeting to be preparation for the Sept. 30 protest of the IMF Summit in Washington D.C., but by Wednesday and in subsequent meetings, new plans and new players dominated discussion.
At the same time as anti-globalization organizers grappled with the cancellation of the IMF protest and new fears of war and racist backlash, other student leaders were working with the College on their own activist path.
Immediately following the attack student senators and class presidents met with College President Nancy Dye, who was concerned about the backlash and the ongoing racism and discrimination against those of Muslim faith and Middle Eastern descent. At the meeting, the students and Dye discussed what they saw to be a general lack of information regarding the global circumstances of these attacks. They also agreed on the need for information other than what the mainstream media gives.
An educational discussion panel spanning this entire week, as well as two anti-war and anti-racism rallies came out of the varying efforts at student organizing.
Initiated by students, the faculty panel “Oberlin College Discussion on American Tragedy” aims to educate students and community members on various issues in Middle Eastern politics. Professors will lead discussion on topics such as the Taliban government, US policies on terrorism, the affects of the media and the backlash against Arab and Muslim minorities. Student senators, Senior Class President Menna-Heiwot Demessie and the Office of the President worked with Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) staff, Associate Dean of Students William Stackman, and Assistant Dean and International Student Advisor Nicolette Love to put together the series.
“Along with feelings of grief and helplessness, there seemed to be a real desire on the part of the students to learn more about the different issues at play and become better informed about the politics and history behind the attacks,” senior Senator Kasi Chakravartula said.
In the organization of the rallies, representatives from the Muslim Student Association, the Asian American Student Alliance, the South Asian Student Association, the MRC and the Middle Eastern Students Association spoke about the recent outpouring of racist sentiment and violence that has been plaguing Arab-American and Muslim communities.
“Our major concern is not safety between our students or how our students treat each other, but outside forces,” College President Nancy Dye said. Already, Oberlin students have reported incidents of off-campus harassment.
“We are living through very volatile times and because of that, and the uncertainty, we need to be particularly concerned with individual safety. If anyone on campus has any sort of hostile experience or discriminatory attack, a word or physical, please report that to the College. The College takes its commitment to campus safety very seriously,” Dye said.
“I am excited to see Senate taking the initiative to use this tragedy as an opportunity to learn more about U.S. and foreign policy for the campus,” Stackman said.
The series begins this Tuesdayt
ee Senate taking the initiative to use this tragedy as an opportunity to learn more about U.S. and foreign policy for the campus,” Stackman said.

The series, entitled “Oberlin College Discussion on American Tragedy” will take place from this Tuesday at 4:30p.m to Friday the 21.