Concerned students held a speak-out Tuesday in reaction to NATO's bombing of Serbia, in hopes of charging the campus with a jolt of activism. Unfortunately, the speak-out struggled to offer a solution to the complicated situation in Yugoslavia.
First-year Nicolas Stahelin, the last person to speak, boiled the speak- out down to one simple question. "I am just asking the question to any- one, who might have an idea about the solution: we stop the bombing, and then what?"
A small crowd of students, more likely drawn by sun than speech, watched the event in Wilder Bowl. Junior Steve Gross, an observer, said, "This preaching is, in many ways, no different than the preaching Brother Jed does on the other end of campus."
First-year Zach Moser organized the speakers, hoping for a variety of opinions on the steps of Wilder. Rather than a heated political wrestling match, most of the speakers reiterated the same points: opposition to the NATO bombings, as well as the ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. No one, however, offered a concrete solution to the Balkan crisis.
The speak-out did reinforce Oberlin's unilateral disagreement with the NATO bombings. No one spoke in support of NATO air attacks, even though the organizers encouraged on-lookers to voice their opinions.
Sophomore Noah Kirshbaum first took the microphone on the steps of Wilder. Kirshbaum criticized the bombing of Serbia and the repercussions of large-scale military actions. "The war has become another Vietnam. We have no exit strategy," said Kirshbaum. In his closing comments, Kirshbaum touched upon the humanitarian element of this situation. Kirshbaum said, "I fear we may never be able to recover from the damage in Kosovo and outlying Yugoslavia."
Junior Gillian Russom followed Kirshbaum. Russom, a member of the International Socialist Organization, announced her plans for more campus action against the NATO bombing. She mentioned plans for bigger rallies, a teach-in, and the formation of a coalition against the NATO actions. "We should all be a part of opposition," said Russom.
The speak-out also fostered some direct criticism of the United States' role in the bombing attacks. Russom said, "The U.S. obviously doesn't want to pay for the cost for the people imprisoned by their policies." Russom stated that the money spent on U.S. military equipment could have been channeled into Serbia to help aid Albanian refugees.
Junior Ty Moore was next to take command of the Wilder steps. Moore spoke to the lack of an organized opposition in the U.S. "It's a real tragedy what is happening, but I hope people can get together and stop it," said Moore.
Rodney Ward, a visiting leader of the socialist women's organization Solidarity, picked up on this vein of thought when he addressed the assembled crowd. Ward encouraged the organization of students interested in opposing NATO's actions. "The main thing I want to leave you with today is that you need to start out small and get big," said Ward.
Ward continued the criticism of the U.S. He brought up several examples of international humanitarian issues that the U.S. does not pay due attention to. Ward said, "The U.S. is telling the world, 'you will obey us.' This has nothing to do with Milosevic being a bad guy."
The speak-out wound down with comments from senior Chuckie Kamm. She said, "America doesn't care enough to do the job that is totally necessary," in criticism of the United States' unwillingness to protect the Albanians with ground troops.
Outspoken: Junior Gillian Russom addressed the assembled students in Wilder Bowl at Tuesday's speak-out. (photo by Andrea Kamins)
Copyright © 1999, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 127, Number 19, April 9, 1999
Contact us with your comments and suggestions.