Review doesn't give Knight a chance

To the Editors:

The front page of last week's Review was shocking and upsetting to both of us. Professor Roderic Knight has donated over 20 years of service to Oberlin College. In return the Oberlin Review decides to irreversibly soil his reputation by putting an accusation on the front page, even going so far as to call him an "assailant," before he is even convicted of any crime. We would have expected such things from supermarket tabloids. We expected the Oberlin Review to have higher journalistic standards. Apparently we were wrong.

Prof. Knight has always been an excellent teacher. He has been supportive and understanding, both professionally and personally to both of us. He is always willing to give more time and energy than is necessary for his job. This is what is important, not whether or not he walked around naked a couple of times. The prominent article on the front of the Review has made him out to be a sexual predator without giving him a chance to defend himself. We truly hope that if he is found not guilty the verdict is placed exactly where the accusation was, front and center.

The Oberlin Review is the only campus newspaper. It has no competition. Tabloid journalism is truly inexcusable when a paper does not have to vie for readership. We hope this doesn't become a trend.

For the record, we stand by Prof. Knight, whatever the results of the accusation may be.

-Julie Cross, Conservatory senior and Des Harmon, Conservatory senior

Editorial opinion more vital than advertisement

To the Editors:

Elitism limits Asian American Alliance

To the Editors:

An outrageous incident occurred at the Asian American Alliance meeting on Nov. 4, 1998. A non-asian friend of mine was invited to the meeting by an officer of the club, and when the meeting was about to start, a member of the organization spoke out in front of the entire group and asked if my friend had "Asian American background." When my friend replied an honest "no," she was asked to leave. Humiliated, and on the verge of tears, my friend, with all eyes on her, had to exit the room. While what this person did may not represent what AAA believes, the elitist attitude of their members humiliated my friend and made the statement that non-Asians are not welcome. Although my friend is not Asian, she can have views and input on Asian American issues. If the goal of the Asian American Alliance is truly to understand and eventually solve the problems facing the Asian American community, then why do they limit themselves to a single viewpoint? Why is it wrong for a non-Asian person to become a member? I would like to think that Oberlin is a tolerant campus; this incident makes me question if Oberlin is a tolerant campus; this incident makes me question the open-mindedness of the student body, specifically the Asian American Alliance, and I question their desire to solve these problems rather than to form an elitist group to shield themselves from them.

-Richard W. Pierce, College first-year