Reporter Presents Biased Perspective

To the Editor:

I read with interest and alarm your reporter Ms. Cohen’s account of what, from the sound of it, ought to have been an extremely contentious reception of a professor’s volley against Israel. Unfortunately, the account as it reads seems little more than an endorsement of this professor’s talk, perhaps understandable given the reporter is apparently a member of an on-campus political group supporting this professor’s perspective. Perhaps, if the event was worth covering, it was worth being covered by a more objective reporter?
The content is of course most disturbing. The line about the “virgin birth” of Israel was particularly inscrutable in light of the real virgin birth that is taking place, that of Palestinian statehood. One is forced to take this article as a frightening reminder of the need for critical historical and political analysis, and of the fact that having earned a Ph.D. does not automatically render one’s speech true or just.
There are many, many reasons I love Oberlin. Yet I will never forget the harsh anti-semitism I observed on campus. I would have hoped it was isolated to the time I was there. I do know, because I know Oberlin, that there will be those now as before who will stand up and reject revisionism and the rhetoric of hatred.

–Joshua Kaye
OC ’98