Peek's challenge to the class of '99
Free Mumia vs. free donuts; changes at Oberlin
To The Editors:
This 1999 Graduating Class closes the book on the 20th century and embarks upon new achievements for the 21st century. America made tremendous progress during the past one hundred years in eliminating some of the more obvious forms of racism that confronted us blacks. DuBois warned America at the beginning of this century that racism would be an ever-recurring problem and it was and is. But it is hard to overlook the incredible racial progress that America made, and Oberlin College was, in many ways, out front leading the way.
At the turn of the century, the pervasive and intense subjugation of blacks to whites was as expected as the rising and setting of the sun, especially in the South. Blacks and whites lived in separate parts of the city, blacks and whites rode on different sections of buses and trains, blacks had difficulty finding water to drink, food to eat, and even restrooms to use in stores. A very deliberate and widespread effort was undertaken to ensure that blacks did not get educated, that we could not vote, become lawyers, doctors, judges, or even serve as jurors.
Racism was rampant; everything was seen in strictly black and white terms. Blacks were forbidden from using white hospitals and we were banned from being buried in white cemeteries. Of course, interracial dating and marriages were unthinkable. No blacks played in the Major Leagues, NFL, or NBA; surely, there were no golf courses for the Tiger Woods.
Every imaginable indignity was inflicted upon our total existence to guarantee that we behaved and thought like inferior beings. We hated our black skin, we loathed our kinky hair, we despised our facial features, and we were ashamed of our Motherland Africa. While racist America sought to extinguish every flame of hope in us, the irrepressible fervor and might manifested by Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and other black leaders, along with the steady support of many white Americans, sustained us through a most brutal and inhumane period of mental enslavement in our country.
As we enter the 21st century, it is obvious that racist America did not succeed in exterminating black America; we blacks have survived and many of us have flourished in spite of racism, poverty, and unmitigated and often unapologetic attempts to crush our spirit and will to exist just because we were black. We African Americans are generally in far better shape than our ancestors were at the start of this century, but racism has not been exterminated either. It is arguably in remission. Like a potentially deadly form of cancer, racism will ravage America's soul unless blacks, whites, and others continue to renew their bonds of concern, friendship, and involvement in the struggle to eliminate every vestige of racism.
America was a better country in the 20th century than it was in any other previous century. But the Class of 1999 and others to follow have the daunting challenge of making sure that America remains worthy of leadership and respect because of the Nation's continuing steps to cleanse itself of racism. To this end, all blacks who profited from the remission of racism have a most special responsibility to labor relentlessly so that all oppressed people, not just other blacks, enjoy the fruits of freedom and join in the universal struggle to help other people throughout the world.
To the Editors:
Free Mumia rally - about 80 participants. Free donuts - hundreds of participants. Oberlin is definitely changing. I talked to many people about my problems with the uproar over free donuts. This letter shows my findings. First of all, I attended both events. Here's a juxtaposition of quotes
1) Mumia: "I can't believe more people didn't come. This is an important cause." Donuts: "I can't believe how many people are here. The flyers didn't even say there was a Star Wars theme." 2) Mumia: "The long arm of the law will not wave its clubs at us." Donuts: "I can't believe people who got donuts waved them in our faces!" 3) Mumia: "This is not just a fight for Mumia but,the thousands of political prisoners whose rights have been stolen from them." Donuts: "They got thousands of donuts but I saw some people actually take two instead of one. Assholes!" 4) Mumia: "We hope everyone will come to the rally next September to insure Mumia's freedom." Donuts: "Next year, we should get here twenty minutes early so we get donuts too." "Yeah, the good ones"
After the donuts were gone, a dozen students rallied for donuts. That's about one sixth of the people who went to Mumia. Others argued over Krispy Kreme flavors. Walking back to Mudd, I talked to someone (who had also attended Mumia) about how stupid the whole donut fiasco was. She agreed, but was sure to add that she felt "this was the coolest thing Oberlin's done all year." I was floored.
Yesterday in Dascomb I talked to my friends about my idea for this article. An unnamed double-degree first year turned around. "I'm really upset too." Finally, I thought. "We didn't get any donuts either. We're really pissed. We've already told them that next year, we're making sure everyone gets free donuts. It's just so unfair!" Them? Who? The donut police?
I was pretty pissed. "Why are you so upset about a stupid donut?" I asked, "Because everyone deserves a yummy, tasty treat"
Oberlin has spoken. They prefer fighting for "yummy tasty treats" than anything of political importance. It's good to know Oberlin hasn't lost it's spirit for revolt but can we redirect our fights? The fight for free donuts was telling display of Oberlin's political decline.
Copyright © 1999, The Oberlin Review. Contact us with your comments and suggestions.
Peek's challenge to the class of '99
Free Mumia vs. free donuts; changes at Oberlin
Volume 127, Number 25, May 28, 1999