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UMich Incident Inspires Hate
Crime Awareness
By Tiffany Beason
A recent hate crime, committed at the University of Michigan, sparked
alarm at Oberlin. On Wednesday, October 5, 2005 Oberlin students and
staff gathered in the Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) to brainstorm
programs to spread awareness of such crimes.
The meeting began with an overview of the University of Michigan crime:
On September 21, 2005, two Asian American students were urinated on,
attacked with eggs, and insulted with racial slurs by fellow students.
Similar episodes at Oberlin College in the recent past were discussed.
For instance, not too long ago, President Nancy Dye pardoned white Oberlin
students of expulsion after they beat a black football player in Zechiel
residence hall. Attendees also brought up an incident where a faculty
member of color was told by an Oberlin student to “go back to
where you came from.”
The meeting covered hate crimes on a national level as well. Names included
James Byrd of Texas, Rodney King of Los Angeles, and Vincent Chin of
Detroit.
Mathew Sheppard and Brandon Teena were discussed, reminding people that
hate crimes extend beyond racial motivations. [Hate crimes are fueled
by discrimination against one’s race, sexual orientation, religion,
nationality, ability (physical and mental), etc.]
After the discussion, the MRC staff and students decided on several
programs. Attendees plan to paint rocks in Tappan Square, post awareness
stickers, and hold an open mic session and panel discussion.
Already there is a “clothes pin” exhibit on display in Mudd’s
A-level, featuring different colored t-shirts with hate crime awareness
information. Some of the shirts bear witness to different hate crimes
that have taken place across the country while others show hate crime
statistics and others have information on how to prevent hate crimes.
Also, the exhibit has a few blank t-shirts in order for others to add
to the display.
To learn more about these events consult the MRC staff and the event
calendar outside of the MRC, on the second floor of Wilder.
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