Just white noise? A hobby of protesting

The Secretary of Interior, Bruce Babbitt's visit provided a glimpse into the wonder and horror that is Oberlin College. About 35 mostly white students met Babbitt with signs that demanded, "Uphold our radical history. Defend affirmative action."

The protesters goal was two-pronged: vent anger with the Clinton's policies in front of Babbitt, and get some national television coverage in the process.

Inside the Goodrich room, the scene was a bit more quiet. Too quiet for Professor Adrienne Jones who approached Babbitt after the discussion to say, "I'm sorry ... This is so unlike Oberlin students."

This, of course, could have been foreseen by the College, the White House and concerned students. The White House told the campus what audience they wanted for the discussion. In doing so, they - perhaps inadvertently - told us also whom they didn't want.

Student panelists were under the assumption that Babbitt would be questioning them about the inner workings of race and relations at Oberlin. Responding to Babbitt's inquiry, people commented on Oberlin's balkanization and the program houses. This prompted protester Gillian Russom to say, "I can't believe this. They're talking about program houses." Believe it.

While organization for the meeting seemed last minute and exclusive it also seemed nondirected and lazy. The protesters could have tried to slide some of their members into the actual meeting to ask questions or they could have given some of the students who were invited some questions to ask. What better way to get at the Clinton administration than to directly ask one of its figureheads what the hell is going on with specific policies? The discussion was broadcasted, so an actual conversation and transference of ideas would have also helped those screaming for media attention.

Instead of preparing and holding conversations with the Secretary, several protesters followed Russom and Khalil up to the fourth floor stairwell, where they continued to chant loudly. Their goal was for their voices to carry into the Goodrich room and remind the students in there to discuss welfare, affirmative action and environmental issues.

It is almost inconceivable that the protesters did not take this into account earlier. If they knew they couldn't get in, why were questions not given to students who were allowed in the Goodrich room?

We understand that students don't have to act. Students don't have to do anything but go to class and enjoy themselves. So when students do care, it's refreshing and hopeful. But when the same dull maneuvers are utilized, a lot is called into question.

Again and again, we see Oberlin becoming the home for recycled activism and lip-synch activists. The tactics and ploys of yester-year are employed not because they're smart or effective, but because that's how it was done before and because of the rush it seems to give the protesters.

We make a lot of noise, but how often do we say anything? Oberlin is Oberlin because of our history of students and administrators attempting to make the world better. All students should see themselves as part of this continuum.

The protest was covered in the Elyria Chronicle Telegram and the Plain Dealer. So what? Is the hope that real people outside of Oberlin will see that some students are aware of Clinton's fumbling despicable actions directed at black people? Because we protest almost everything in the same nonproductive ways, we give up the power we have. Pictures of mostly white Oberlin students protesting in publications, instead of inspiring or illuminating, often bother and annoy. Should we stop protesting and making noise because of this? No, but we have to be smart and we have to have something to say. Where passion fails, strategy must take over.

Another peculiarity of Tuesday's protest about race and the Clinton administration was that no black students participated. Clusters of little white freedom fighters walked around - some in owl suits, some chanting, huffing and puffing - talking about how racist the Clinton administration is. Obviously, believers of the myth that injustice some place is a threat to justice everywhere, they took up policies that adversely affect black folks and attempted to show Babbitt that they refused to be duped. There are few things on this campus that would attract multiracial attention. White groups who want to combat racism by chanting at the Secretary of the Interior must think about why nonwhite students do not

At Oberlin we have the luxury to protest any and everything. We can hone our protesting skills, spending one minute pouting about the Clinton administration or environmental issues, then next minute sitting in one of the many cafeterias on campus gobbling down all lasagna and juice one can eat and drink. Protesting, at least the way we do it is a luxury, a benefit, and to many it's a hobby.