Arts Section Unprofessional

To the Editor: 

I would like to call attention to a recent trend towards errors in the Arts reviews of the Oberlin Review, most recently in the review of Vagina Monologues in the Feb. 16 edition. In the review, it was mistakenly stated that Shahana Siddiqui, ensemble member of this year’s production of Vagina Monologues, wrote all four of the original pieces included in this year’s production. In fact, there were four new monologues written by three Oberlin students; Shahana Siddiqui, Dominique Chantell Atchison and hiroshi, as was stated in the programs that were distributed at the event. The article referred directly to two original monologues; “An Ode to Sally Hemmings,” written by Dominique Chantell Atchison and “?” by hiroshi, both of which were erroneously credited to Shahana Siddiqui. Simply referring to a program, or interviewing and/or contacting a member of the production to clarify facts could have avoided this error. I find this omission to be extremely irresponsible of the entire editorial staff of the Review. As I understand it, having grown up with an editor parent, the job of the editors includes checking articles for false information. It is the responsibility of the editors to stand accountable for the articles that are printed in their publication.
This is a problem that has been occurring recently in the Review. There was a letter to thc editor in the Feb. 16 edition of the Review that called attention to errors made in thc Arts review of Godspell. I also noticed that in the Arts review of Equus and Venus two actors’ names, Ben Stuber and Thomas Taylor, were switched. It is unacceptable. These are simple mistakes that could easily be corrected with some thought and responsibility. l would think that the journalists and editorial staff of the Review would have more pride in their work than to print articles and reviews without even checking the information.
These kinds of errors take credit away from people who have worked extremely hard as a part of a production. It is an insult to those who have been misrepresented or not represented at all. Our names make us who we are, and connect to the activities, identities and events we are a part of. Stripping people of their names in an article of this kind is stripping them of a certain dignity that they deserve.
I find it problematic that no one from the Oberlin Review even took the time to interview anyone from the Vagina Monologues. It is a journalist’s responsibility to conduct interviews on topics they publish articles on, especially Arts reviews. To have insight from members of the production could alleviate errors of this kind, as well as giving more information on which to base a review. It is unprofessional of any arts review staff and editors not to assume this as standard practice. This is poor journalism. If the Oberlin Review would like to be taken seriously as a worthwhile, trustworthy and professional publication, these errors must stop and the staff and editors must take responsibility for what is printed.

–A. Lara Dredge 
College sophomore