Diversity Can Be Celebrated

To the Editors:

In a time when the words “diversity” and “affirmative action” are viewed in some quarters as bad things, I am proud as an alumnus and member of the Executive Board of Oberlin’s Alumni Association that we are not afraid to embrace these concepts. The Alumni Association is intentional in its efforts to reflect the many types of diversity that are reflected on Oberlin’s campus. It is not by accident that the Executive Board currently includes men and women, black, white, Asian, gay, straight, Jew, Gentile, young and old. The diversity of our group brings a richness and level of quality to our discussions and decision-making that could not occur in a homogeneous group. The Association has encouraged participation by all segments of the alumni family and we have many different affiliate groups where folks with particular interests or areas of concern can work with peers and be plugged into the larger effort to support the College.
I was struck at one of our recent meetings by how well we get along and communicate with one another despite our perceived differences. The thing that unites us is our shared Oberlin experience and deep love for the institution. The fact that we can work so well together and get along so well encourages me that Oberlin can become a real model for how the human community can live and work together, respecting differences while recognizing our common shared humanity.
Another example of how diversity can be celebrated at Oberlin is currently on display at the Allen Memorial Art Museum. Professor Sharon Patton has put together a significant exhibit of African art from the collection of Oberlin alumnus Ralph T. Coe ’ 53. This is the second exhibit of traditional African art that Dr. Patton has presented within two years and I urge everyone within the Oberlin community to see this important show before it closes on Dec. 10, 2002.
I had the privilege of meeting Professor Patton during a tour of the Allen that she conducted during our annual Alumni Council Weekend in September. Dr. Patton has done a wonderful job during her tenure at Oberlin and seeing this exhibit and being able to see the connections in human artistic achievement across time and cultures is very striking. One can examine these wonderful pieces of traditional African art and then go to another gallery and see masterpieces of modern European art that reflect the influence of those artists exposure to African art and other non-western art forms. While looking at the pieces in the Coe collection and the other pieces from the Allen’s superb collections, you can now experience a very broad spectrum of human artistic achievement under one roof.
I am delighted that Dr. Patton has brought African art into this mix in a significant way and I hope that many people have taken the time to enjoy this wonderful show. The other galleries have never looked better and it reminded this alumnus of how lucky we are at Oberlin to enjoy such rich artistic resources.
The work of the College’s Alumni Association helps to support the arts at Oberlin as well as the bricks and mortar projects like the new Science Center. As current students, I hope you will each take full advantage of the rich resources at Oberlin during your undergraduate years. When you join our ranks as alumni, we hope you will help us in supporting these activities for the benefit of future generations of students.
You still have a few days left, so do yourself a favor and run to the Allen and feast upon the treasures within!

–Wendell P. Russell, Jr.
OC ’71
Member of the Executive Board
Oberlin College Alumni Association

–Margaret Sahs Erikson
OC ’62
Director of Alumni On-Campus Activities
Oberlin College Alumni Association