Students Ignore Privileges

To the Editors:

Thank you all who responded to my letter to the Review. I think I got my 15 minutes of fame (or hatred). I loved the ones depicting me as a racist, white male oppressor, in addition to accusing me of being uninformed.If the writers of those articles are just a little bit informed, they would know that I am Middle Eastern (not Caucasian). My first language is not even English. I am also more Asian than the people who are members of AAA because I was actually born is Asia and have lived there for 18 years. Regarding the issue of racism, you might think I am racist but really I do not care. I know regardless of what I say, it will not change your mind.

I was trying to be constructive and open some discussions about an issue that is bothering most of the student body, although nobody is willing to discuss the topic. Instead of talking and being mature you preferred to attack me, not only in writing. For example, whenever I see Adrian Leung (AAA), he stares at me as if I killed his people. GROW UP PEOPLE, I am a person like you are. I just have different views. Do you seriously believe that you are going to solve the racial problems by attacking people, accusing the white people of being racist. I would love to talk to people about their ideas and perspectives. And everybody who knows me knows that I love discussion. Yet, Iıve lost all my respect for the Oberlin community. People who even agreed with me (including some members of the faculty) did not stand up for me. When I went to the Multiculturalism meeting to talk about the issues, one person stood up and called me racist in front of a hundred people. By going to that meeting, I showed courage but people in the meeting did not show the maturity to acknowledge it. This is your choice.

I learned a very important lesson from all these events. People in Oberlin are very close-minded to discussions and are ready to attack any kind of idea which is different than theirs. It is sad that people cannot express their opinions in this school unless they are some kind of a liberal activist.

I have one more thing to say about oppression and people who complain about the oppression at Oberlin:

One day if someone comes up to you at Oberlin and says they are oppressed, look at their faces and laugh. This person is going to one of the best and MOST EXPENSIVE colleges in this country. This person is an American (except for the international students), not an Ethiopian peasant who cannot even find clean water to drink and has to deal with a civil war. He/she is going to have so many opportunities in life as an American and a college graduate. LAUGH at these people because he/she is not the oppressed one. Oppressed ones are the mothers who are living on food stamps, not being able to work. Oppressed ones are the black men living on the streets. You guys can live in your ³SAFE SPACES² where there is not hunger and pain. And keep complaining about YOUR (Oberlin Minority Students) suffering from the racism in this school. Donıt you think this is a little selfish? I am willing to give a free ride to anyone who wants to go to Cleveland and see the actual racism and oppression! Just e-mail me! Yakup.sener@oberlin.edu

--Yakup Sener, College junior

America Devoid of Safe Space

To the Editors:

White America will never be able to understand the struggle of Blacks in this country. The struggle that continues to be invalidated and belittled by white America. With the scrutiny of our racially based student groups, or what is loosely called ³safe spaces,² whites again have the privilege to dictate what is satisfactory. In this country, there is no safe space, when white people have the ability to enter in and declare them ³unconstitutional;² protest and break them up because they feel alienated. How do you think Blacks felt when they were not able to worship their own religions, when they were banned from being able to write and read, or when they were being hung from trees for the simple inclination to live?

For these reasons and many of those not listed, there is a need for our Black Student Union. ABUSUA is a place where us Blacks can serve and address the issues pertinent to us OURselves. Unlike a game of chess, we are unable to walk away from Blackness when we are tired of losing. Every pawn and knight cling mockingly to the fact that we, despite our achievements, are still second- class citizens and can be removed for protesting our beliefs. Mummia Abu Jamal is an example of this as the opposition to our student groups. The very function and impact of organizations like ABUSUA are under attack by whites on this campus. We say whites, because other minorities understand what it is to be oppressed and the necessity to cherish your own and what was taken from you. Can Europeans say the same? Would these groups be more ³rational² or ³intelligent² if whites were members? We refuse to give whites the power to define the validity of our organization.

To empirically prove what we do for the community outside of our own is to participate in the scrutiny that we will subject ourselves to, but we will note a few things being overlooked. How many people are aware of the events thrown by ABUSUA open to everyone? We are committed to not only uplifting our own community, but in providing an education on our struggle, our life and experiences. We object the assumption that we promote segregation, in fact, we believe that the help of other groups is what will truly push us forward but the nudge must start in our own community. America is currently attempting to erase the racial history it has built itself upon. Equality for all does not currently exist, therefore this untrue ideal can not be thrust upon others. Especially those who are experiencing inequality.

White males do have a club. They are members from birth. The club is entitled America. Are we forgetting that our government has always been and is presently run predominantly by white men, that 90 percent of industrial management jobs are occupied by white men, and that even on this campus our faculty consists of a majority of white men?

Multiculturalism in its truest form can be achieved only through all groups coming together equally, and then returning to their respected communities to embrace their own culture, which is where multiculturalism truly originates. White students who genuinely support our community understand the need for this. They are not attempting to force themselves into an arena that will create uncomfortability. If TRUE multiculturalism is what one believes in, then one will respect the fact that ABUSUA is where the Blacks can be with people like us to tackle topics that affect us and where we learn to love us.

--NiJa Wilson, College sophomore

Safe Space Fosters Integration and Not Segregation

Time and again in American history, we have witnessed or learned of the unjustified, methodical practice of self-proclaimed, first-class white citizens, who seek to eradicate the cultural identities of minority groups in the name of civilizing the uncivilized. As we approach the threshold of a new millennium there is still present the insistent urgency of White and upper class America (though the two are not always analogous) to thwart attempts of various ethnic groups in order to maintain their identity within the vast ³melting pot² created by the ³founding fathers² of this country. This attempt, to denounce the importance of knowing the truth behind the ruthless behaviors of forced cultural assimilators, once again rears its ugly head as a living testament to the old adage, ³Men fear what they donıt understand.²

In order for any tree to grow it must have roots. For minorities to effectively occupy the true ideal of multiculturalism, it is imperative that this root of self-awareness, self-respect and self-reliance be constructed so that it serves as a springboard for them to succeed and function positively within the mainframe of White America. This heightened sense of identity (which has been systematically stripped from all people of color) provides a renewed sense of confidence that assures them they can achieve success in this country. This can only be achieved through positive interaction with the other members of their respected minority groups.

Any RATIONAL INTELLIGENT person can plainly see that this instinctive expression of self-love is not a step towards segregation, rather, integration. It is only through this vehicle of cultural awareness that minorities will learn the history that was denied them, as well as dispel their own issues and gain strength necessary to succeed in a society that more often than not will be unaccommodating to them. Or is it the strength of these groups that is feared.

By helping each other apprehend and vehemently accept positive images of themselves, organizations such as AAA, La Alianza Latina and ABUSUA provide their members with tools necessary to effectively practice in the true ideals of multiculturalism, ideals including; teaching, comprehension and respect. To not understand the importance of unity within these groups before and during the multiculturalism we speak so highly of, is to not understand multiculturalism at all.

The meetings of student organizations are not the place to learn about a culture. To learn of minorities in their ³natural habitat² is as offensive as being strictly against the groups in the first place. The many events sponsored by student organizations and the programs and classes of the various ethnic studies departments are the proper places to learn these things. All the more reason our ethnic studies department needs to be expanded.

At the end of this reading, we hope that you have received some type of clarification as to why the presence of those organizations is an integral element of this campus. The vast number of you whom in the name of denouncing segregation (through retention of ignorant generalizations and age-old social norms), actually sell yourself short and segregate yourselves from the education you can receive from the various cultures inhabiting the world and on a smaller scale, Oberlin College.

--Shanelle D. Jenkins, Double Degree 3rd year

Fox Cries "Fowl" on Oberlin

To the Editors:

I would like the opportunity to respond to a letter dated Dec. 3, 1999 from an Oberlin College junior. The letter referenced Fox 8ıs television coverage of the stabbing on the Oberlin College campus that occurred in late November. Because all of us at Fox 8 take very seriously our commitment to professionalism and public service, I was very concerned to read his allegations about the conduct of our on-site crew. I conducted a review of the events, interviewing our crew members and talking with Oberlin officials knowledgeable about the events. This review has made clear that the student either was not aware of the events that occurred or misrepresented the facts.

It is my understanding that our reporter and technician were setting up for a live shot when an individual approached them dressed in a chicken suit. I am sure that everyone in the community would agree that the subject matter was far too serious to allow that costumed person to ³clown around² in the background while we were reporting live. We politely asked the costumed person to stand clear so that we could begin our work. Then, several other individuals joined the scene attempting to get into the background of our live shot. Our reporter and technician continued to attempt to maintain the integrity of the report by asking the individuals to stand clear. When they would not move, our crew contacted on-campus security and local police officers to maintain order.

Our crews interact with the public on a daily basis, and are trained to be courteous and respectful. It is unfortunate when a few individuals, in the interest of getting a laugh, refuse to show our professionals the same courtesy and respect. However, even in those cases, our crews do not resort to unprofessional behavior. They instead contact the appropriate professionals to assist. We are proud of our journalists and their handling of sometimes difficult and tense situations.

We appreciate the assistance given by Oberlin campus police, and look forward to continuing a positive relationship with the students, faculty and administrators of Oberlin College.

--Michael V. Renda, Vice President and General Manager

--J. Gregory Easterly, News Director