Oberlin’s History of Liberalism Misleading, Carr Says

To the Editor:

I have spent a long time thinking about the cartoons, articles and letters to the Editor that have appeared in the Review and the Grape over the last few weeks, trying to find a way to respond to all of it in 600 words or less. In the interest of space, I’ll just get right to it: most of this campus has missed the point.
I know that it feels good to tout Oberlin’s supposed liberalism, but Oberlin’s “tradition” of liberalism is not only inaccurately portrayed, but also beside the point. Yes, Oberlin was one of the first colleges to admit African-Americans, but it also enforced strict segregation, especially in housing, where the two races were kept distinctly separate and profoundly unequal. In some ways, then, Oberlin *is* continuing a long history of “liberalism.” This institution still takes great pride in its supposed diversity, but does little to make the campus an accepting place, let alone one that is fundamentally anti-racist. This is evident in its funding of organizations, prioritization of issues, formation of curricula, creation of tenure-track positions and virtually every other aspect of its operations.
This is not about how the dictionary defines “liberal” or “conservative.” It is not about one single dorm, nor is it about one man’s article. Throwing out any number of reactionary, ill-informed arguments in the name of “creating dialogue” (and then hiding behind that dialogue once criticized) is all good and well, but it’s time that Oberlin students stop engaging in theoretical exercises and start challenging, and changing, themselves. Because as patient, intelligent, and insightful as the residents of Baldwin, Third World House and Co-op, Afrikan Heritage House and other members and supporters of safe spaces have been in justifying their right to claim space within an environment that has been apathetic at best and hostile at worst, the fact that their time has been used for this justification means that they cannot be doing work to change the environment itself.
It is apparent to me that people feel hurt and disrespected by what they interpret as gross generalizations about athletes and residents of Zeke. However, it is also apparent that there have been repeated discussions and letters that clearly state the true content and focus of this issue. It is frustrating that, in spite of the detailed and extensive labor of these groups, their position continues to be distorted, simplified and re-focused. It is also frustrating that, amidst vehement denials of racism and sexism, many of the attendees and organizers of the action meeting so many Wednesdays ago have faced verbal harassment (no, not men going without their shirts, but men shouting insults like “femi-nazi dyke” out of car windows), they’ve been cornered in the library and outside classes by small, hostile groups demanding explanations and they have been greeted by rude stares everywhere they go.
Maybe someday Oberlin’s primarily white and affluent student body will decide to take its vast social and financial wealth and use it to buy a clue. Or, maybe the same groups of people –– already pretty worn down from decades of harassment, violence and discrimination –– will have to keep educating everyone else at their own expense. In the meantime, everyone should enjoy their time here at Oberlin — where one person can definitely change the world, but we all hope it won’t involve changing ourselves.

–Jessica Carr
College first-year