September 18, 2015

The Oberlin Review

SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 VOLUME 144, NUMBER 3

Local News Bulletin News briefs from the past week First Female Editor of The American Mathematical Monthly The Mathematical Association of America appointed Andrew and Pauline Delaney Professor Susan Jane Colley to a five-year term as the editor of The American Mathematical Monthly.

Colley, who has taught at Oberlin for 35 years, is the first woman to ever hold the position. She has also written several editions of the math textbook Vector Calculus, a widely used calculus book.

Lorain County Police Up Social Media Presence The Lorain County Police Department announced its plan to kick off a countywide social media initiative to increase the accessibility of digital evidence Tuesday afternoon.

The new program, named Lorain County CSI, asks all law enforcement departments in the county to post photos or videos of suspects involved in crimes ranging from shoplifting to more serious offenses to a Facebook page.

Retired Professor Sues Iowa Over Presidential Pick Retired University of Iowa Professor Harold Hammond filed a lawsuit against the University for allegedly violating openmeeting provisions in the presidential search process. President Marvin Krislov lost the bid earlier this month, but Hammond argues that the Iowa search committee’s actions should be voided due to the violations. Hammond filed a similar lawsuit in 2007 after the University selected former President Sally Mason.

Students Assist in MRC Director Search Kerensa Loadholt With the recent departure of its former director, the Multicultural Resource Center is on the lookout for a new supervisor — a selection process that many students hope will yield a more suitable leader than the previous one.

This time around, selecting a candidate capable of supporting the goals of the Center will in part be up to the students. Two listening sessions launched a series of discussions designed to assess how students interpret the traits and responsibilities necessary of a capable MRC director earlier this week.

Associate Dean of Students and Dean of the Class of 2016 Kimberly Jackson Davidson, a member of the search committee for a new director of the Multicultural Resource Center, watches fellow committee members address student concerns at a listening session on Tuesday.

Bryan Rubin

According to Dean of Students Eric Estes, the sessions have the potential to foster unparalleled transparency in the search, resulting in a more well-received hire.

“Students will have tremendous access to this search, perhaps unprecedented, starting with these listening sessions, which will help shape the job description in meaningful ways,” Estes said. “There are five students on the search committee as full voting members.”

The session opened with Associate Professor of Religion, Associate Dean of the Curriculum and Chair of the search committee David Kamitsuka asking the crowd if they wanted to make suggestions on how the job functions of the new director might be improved.

The answer was a resounding yes. Previously, the director has been responsible for overseeing the daily activities, operations and budgets of the MRC, administering grants and serving as a resource and collaborative partner for academic departments and other student support networks, among other activities.

The new director, according to the students, should be more involved in student life, especially within the curriculum for classes like ethnomusicology. Those in attendance also suggested that the MRC engage more with ResEd. “The director should be more involved with See MRC, page 4

Lorain County Builds New Health, Dentistry Clinic Oliver Bok News Editor Health care in Oberlin broke new ground this week as construction of the Lorain County Health & Dentistry clinic at 260 South Main Street began.

“The goal is to bring affordable primary and preventive health care to people of all ages who live in Oberlin and all of the surrounding communities,” said LCHD President and Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Wiersma. “We want to improve access for southern Lorain county [so] folks can be sure that they can get health care.

Whether insured or uninsured, we discount our fees for qualifying patients based on federal guidelines.”

The new clinic will employ 16–20 staff members, including doctors, nurse practitioners, dentists and an optometrist. The roughly 6,800-square-foot building will include a dental laboratory and exam rooms for prenatal care. According to Wiersma, the clinic will open sometime in the first quarter of 2016.

LCHD currently runs four facilities, two in Lorain and two in Elyria.

The clinic in Oberlin is meant to make LCHD services more accessible not only to Oberlin but also to the whole

southern part of Lorain county. According to City Manager Eric Norenberg, the location is ideal.

“It’s a super location because it’s right near Oberlin Community Services, and there’s a pharmacy across the street,” Norenberg said. “We think it’s being positioned in a neighborhood that will be easily served and necessarily served by the types of services that they offer, but it’s also convenient to the whole southern part of the county being right off of State Route 58.”

While LCHD is paying for the cost of building the new clinic, a federal grant earned in May will help pay for the early operation of the clinic as the patient base in Oberlin grows.

Roughly 20 percent of LCHD’s funding comes from federal grants.

The group also recently received a $266,000 grant from a fund for community health ventures in the Affordable Care Act. According to Wiersma, the grant will pay for four new positions and help the organization reach an additional 1,300 patients by the end of 2017.

“Local health centers are critical access points for Ohioans in need of quality, affordable health care,” Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown said in a press

Tobacco Battle The Tobacco Ban Implementation Committee reconvened to continue evaluating plans for next summer.

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release announcing the grant. “Funding from the health law helps keep open community health centers so more families can access their primary and preventive care. These awards will allow centers to hire more health providers, improve facilities and enroll more Ohioans in health care coverage.”

Wiersma said she hopes the success that LCHD has had in applying for federal grants translates into better access to health care for the

A construction worker plows through the worksite of the new Lorain County Health & Dentistry clinic at 260 South Main Street. The clinic is expected to open in early 2016.

Briana Santiago

Lords of Bailey

Hypnotic Harmony Nigerien band Tal National played upbeat songs at the ’Sco.

See page 2

INDEX:

Opinions 5

The Yeomen outlasted Kenyon for their first win on Bailey Field.

See page 16

See page 13

This Week in Oberlin 8

community.

“There is a story about need in our area, and we’ve been able to tell it successfully, with the outcome, of course, being accessible health care and hopefully a healthier community.”

As construction of the new clinic continues, LCHD currently has a mobile unit parked on the corner of the lot where they provide pediatric medicine on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, through which anyone can make an appointment.

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The Oberlin Review, September 18, 2015

Committee Weighs Tobacco Ban Details Katherine Kingma The Tobacco Ban Implementation Committee will meet Monday to begin discussing how to implement a controversial policy that has been more than four years in the making. The tobacco ban already includes two notable exemptions: tobacco use in Tappan Square and the use of e-cigarettes. Oberlin’s tobaccofree campus policy will take effect on June 1, 2016.

“The Implementation Committee is tasked with assuring that the transition from the current policy that permits smoking out of doors within certain parameters, to a policy that prohibits tobacco use in all outdoor spaces with the exception of Tappan Square,” said Housing and Dining Communications Coordinator and committee member Ehrai Adams in an email to the Review.

According to Adams, the Tappan Square exception for the smoking ban will be reevaluated in two years.

While certain key details — such as sanctions against tobacco users — are not yet defined, the tobacco ban will apply to all Oberlin students and teachers and prohibit the use of cigarettes, cigars, chew and all other tobacco-based products, notably excluding e-cigarettes.

“This is a tobacco ban, and

e-cigarettes don’t actually use tobacco,” said College junior, Student Senator and committee member Jordan Ecker. “There’s debate as to how dangerous ecigarettes are, but they’re not covered by the ban now.”

The implementation committee consists of Professor of Music Theory Jared Hartt, Psychology professor Meghan Morean, Counseling Psychologist Debra El-Amin, Campus Security Supervisor Dave Bender, College senior Machmud Makhmudov, College senior Cory Ventresca, College junior Jeremy Poe, Adams and Ecker. All of the students on the committee are also student senators.

“As of now, not everything’s decided,” Makhmudov said. “And obviously we can’t anticipate everything, and the policy will probably be tinkered with. But in the end, this is all going toward improving student health and lowering tobacco use.”

However, the expectations of what the tobacco ban will actually accomplish remain mixed.

“Honestly, it seems like one of the biggest effects is that students will smoke inside, which would be absolutely terrible,” Ventresca said. “I don’t like what we have now because it doesn’t work, but a draconian policy isn’t going to work either.”

Many concerns about the ban pertain to enforcement of the

ban and the sanctions against possible offenders.

“Honestly, I think it’s a stupid waste of time,” College fifthyear Megs Bautista said. “Oberlin’s just trying to keep up with the trend of other liberal arts schools, but this is a policy that will end up hurting students. It’s just another excuse for Safety and Security to mess with students, especially marginalized students.”

Ecker, who opposes the ban, is hopeful that its implementation won’t significantly interrupt the flow of student life.

“Right now it looks like it’s going to be treated just like an alcohol or drug violation,” Ecker said.

“Ideally it would start out with just warnings, and like drugs and alcohol, the policy won’t actively be enforced by Safety and Security. In practice, it doesn’t seem like it will affect student behav-

ior that much.”

According to Adams, enforcement of the ban is something the committee will examine closely.

“Compliance with the new policy is also one of the major responsibilities of the committee, and we will be working closely with members of Dean of Students office and Human Resources as well as looking into what other schools with similar policies have done,” Adams said.

The Tobacco Ban Implementation Committee will meet Monday to continue developing implementation plans for the tobacco-free campus policy. While the ban is scheduled to go into effect in June 2016, there are still significant pieces of the legislation that have not yet been decided, such as sanctions for those who violate the new rules.

Bryan Rubin

Carr Pool, Philips Gym to Undergo Renovations Melissa Harris Oberlin College’s 44-year-old athletic facilities, Philips gym and Robert Carr Pool, are slated to undergo major renovations this March. Additions to the space will include a new fitness center, more cardio equipment, an additional weight room and a spinning room.

“This is not out of a want,” said Natalie Winkelfoos, Delta Lodge director of athletics and physical education. “It’s more of a need. I think that the plans that we have put forth are very modest, but they satisfy the hunger of Oberlin.”

The gym’s expansion will call for the demolition of both 184 and 190 Woodland Street, the two houses immediately south of Philips. The southern lobby of the gym will expand into the vacancy after the properties are torn down.

Winkelfoos added that al-

though these plans are in the finishing stages, the final decision on all of the upgrades will depend on funding, which is mostly from donations.

Because Philips gym was constructed prior to Title IX legislation, the current facilities are designed to only serve one gender.

Winkelfoos said construction will also include a large multi–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

“I think that the plans that we have put forth are very modest, but they satisfy the hunger of Oberlin.”

Natalie Winkelfoos Delta Lodge director of athletics and physical education ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– purpose room for additional programming and smaller multi-

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September 18, 2015

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purpose room for fitness classes.

Student Health Working Group member and College junior Dana Kurzer-Yashin said she met with Director of Student-Athlete Services and Wellness Jason Hudson this week to discuss safe-space hours in the gym.

“Members of the working group reached out to Natalie and Jason last spring, and that culminated in this past week to speaking with Jason about piloting two hours a month of women and trans hours at Philips gym in the weight room and cardio room,” Kurzer-Yashin said.

She also said this is hopefully the first step in creating more consistent hours for safe spaces.

“We’re really excited about this program starting and also seeing it expand in the future,” Kurzer-Yashin said. “Optimally, I’d like to see it getting more time and becoming a stable part of the schedule at least once a week.”

Renovations to the facilities

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will consist of creating new outdoor patio space and additional offices for counseling services and meetings. Winkelfoos said these expansions will help the Athletics department better accommodate Oberlin’s needs.

“You can see that we have grown on the athletics side but then also on the campus,” Winkelfoos said. “It’s grown in its interest in health and wellness, so any expansion we do will help address the needs of its users.”

Philips’ major expansions will come after internal renovations on Carr Pool are complete. Varsity Swimming and Diving Head Coach Andrew Brabson said the pool will start undergoing renovations this March and should be ready for the 2016–2017 swim season. The pool expansion will include four additional lanes, he said.

“Not only will [the lanes] benefit the swim and dive teams by allowing larger teams and more

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lane space for more beneficial practices, but we’ll also be able to get more programming in there as well,” Brabson said.

Brabson also said the Carr Pool expansion is partly in response to scheduling conflicts between different users. In the past, he said there has been difficulty in finding a way for a wide range of groups — high school swim teams, students, professors, the College’s varsity swim team — to use the space conveniently, but that the additional lanes should help accommodate those needs.

Carr Pool will be closed for the entirety of its renovations this spring, and the racquetball and squash courts will also be closed intermittently throughout construction. Philips gym will operate normally until the expansion project begins in 2017. Splash Zone Aquatic Center, a pool facility less than a mile south of Oberlin, will be open to students during pool construction.

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The Oberlin Review, September 18, 2015

Page 3

Off the Cuff: Steve Volk, Professor of History Steve Volk is a professor of History and founding director of the Center for Teaching Innovation and Excellence at Oberlin. In 2011, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching named him U.S. Professor of the Year. He is also on the editorial board of the journal Latin American Perspectives. Volk recently gave a lecture at Spanish House titled Salvador Allende: Life and Death.

What made you interested in studying Salvador Allende?

Well that’s going back a long time. I went to Chile for the first time as a high school student in 1963, so I’ve sort of been associated with that country for almost half a century now. I also lived in Chile during Allende’s government. I was there in ’72 and ’73. I was there, as I put it, for the good, the bad and the ugly. I left about six to eight weeks after the coup that overthrew him in 1973.

So it’s more than an object of study to me: It’s about my life. It took me a fair amount of time before I actually wanted to go back and look at it as a subject of study, but now I’ve been doing that for quite a long time. I’ve just finished a biography of Allende, so I’m quite interested in him as a person as well as the events that took place in Chile.

What did you witness when you were in Chile? How aware were you of the political situation?

There was no way to be in Chile without being part of that process. I went to Chile to do my dissertation, but it would be wrong to say I went because of the dissertation. I went to Chile because it was a world historical event, and I had to see what was going on. So in many ways, aside from doing my dissertation work, I played an active role in the life and the politics of the country.

I was a member of a very small group who wrote a newspaper called the North American Information Source, and we sort of provided news about the left in the United States to the Chileans and about the economic boycott of Chile. There were about eight of us and two of those people, Charlie Horman and Frank Teruggi, were killed after the coup. Charlie Horman was the

Thursday, Sept. 10 9:57 p.m. A student reported the theft of an unlocked bicycle from Keep Cottage, possibly on Monday. The bicycle is a red Bianchi valued at $150. The bicycle is registered.

Friday, Sept. 11 12:29 a.m. Officers assisted with an employee who fell, injuring their knee. The individual was transported to Mercy Allen Hospital for treatment.

person that Costa-Gavras did the film Missing about. So it hit very close to home to see your friends be killed, to see the U.S. government complicit in the deaths of American citizens and try to cover it up for decades.

What did you find out about Allende’s personal life, and how did his personal life influence his politics?

I think what I came away with at the end of the project is a huge amount of respect for him, which I think I always had at one level, but there’s aspects about his life that are so consistent and so principled and ultimately so revolutionary and democratic.

I was truly impressed when I began to sort of see him unfold as a political person. He was one of the founders, or close to being a founder, of the Socialist Party of Chile in 1933.

But what made him a revolutionary, what made him care about those things that revolutionaries care about, which is the well-being of those less fortunate or those who aren’t well off in society, is not necessarily theory. Although he did read theory, and he was a Marxist; there’s no question about that. But it was his personal experience. He trained as a medical doctor.

The whole Allende family, going back a few hundred years, were always professionals.

They were either doctors or lawyers, and he chose the profession of doctor. But as opposed to many in his family, he began to practice in the poorer areas of Santiago; that’s where he lived when he went to medical school.

It’s his experience that brought him his politics. It’s Marxism that gave him a sense of understanding, but because experience was primary, he never became an orthodox theorist, and he was willing to change pragmatically to understand what the people really need, rather than “what does the theory say?”

He ran for president unsuccessfully three times before winning on his fourth try.

What made the 1970 election different?

It was only the very first time when he was still quite young that he didn’t do well.

He only got five percent of the vote. He narrowly missed being elected in 1958 by the slimmest of margins, by less than 30,000 votes. He lost by a larger margin in 1964, and that’s because the U.S. stepped into that

11:28 p.m. A maintenance technician reported stucco falling from the building on the northeast side of Philips gym. Cones were placed outside near the fire exit door, and the door was barricaded from the inside. The facilities manager on call was notified.

Saturday, Sept. 12 7:53 a.m. An officer on patrol observed several large, unattended items on the bandstand in Tappan Square. A large duffel bag, umbrella and a six-pack of beer were collected and transported to the Security Building. Large cushions, a mat and a blanket were left in the bandstand along with

that Kissinger said that this is the greatest threat the United States has faced in Latin America ever and that it would not stand for an Allende presidency — all of these things are on the record. What’s also on the record is the large amount of money that the CIA spent on a variety of opposition activities: building an economic boycott of Chile, making it harder for the middle classes to exist in Chile during this time.

All of those things essentially were geared towards making it much more likely that the military would decide to move. The U.S. didn’t have to convince the military to make that decision, but it did have to create a condition where it would be the only possibility, and there’s absolutely no question that the U.S. played the key role in that.

Steve Volk, who recently completed a biography of Chilean president Salvador Allende.

campaign. The CIA financed the opposition to the tune of $4 million and forced one of the candidates off the ticket altogether.

But in 1970, a variety of things came together. The centrist Christian democrat party had just been in power, and it became quite unpopular because of being unable to accept things. The second is that the United States might have been a bit more asleep at the wheel than it was in 1964. Their internal assessments from their own documentation suggests that they really didn’t think that Allende would win, and so because they didn’t put much into that campaign, and because Allende always drew from the same strength that he did, he squeaked in by about 39,000 votes. He could have easily won in 1958 but didn’t.

What was the CIA’s role in the 1973 coup?

There’s not a whole lot of evidence; there’s some indications that the U.S. was involved on the day of the coup, but really what it did was prepare the groundwork for the Chilean military to take over, and for that there’s huge amounts of documentation.

We know right off the bat that the U.S. supported an attempt to prevent Allende from being confirmed by Congress after being elected. … The U.S. fostered a plan to kidnap the commander in chief of the armed forces. They killed him in the process — they were going to blame it on the left and encourage a military coup. The fact

a note saying where other items could be claimed.

9:31 a.m. Officers and members of the Oberlin Fire Department responded to a call from Peters Hall to assist an individual stuck in the elevator. Respondents opened the elevator doors and assisted the staff person out.

Sunday, Sept. 13 7:42 a.m. An officer on patrol observed broken beer bottles and one large empty alcohol bottle in the Kettering Lot and Woodland Street parking lot. Grounds staff were in the area cleaning up the broken glass. Large numbers of empty beer bottles and cans were

Why was the U.S. so afraid of Allende?

Was it just fear of Soviet influence in Latin America?

What the U.S. feared in Chile are two things. Of course, this is the Cold War period, so they’re looking at the Soviet Union, but when Kissinger in 1970 said the election of Allende would be the worst threat we face in Latin America, you have to then ask, “What’s that threat?” And the threat is not communism, because Cuba comes before that. The threat is democratic socialism, that people will actually elect a socialist who will do well — the threat of a good example. What becomes the threat for the U.S. is democracy and elections rather than communism.

The second thing, which is even more disturbing, is that when you look through U.S. State Department records and Kissinger’s records, what becomes clear is that Kissinger really could not give a damn about Latin America or about Chile. He once called Chile “The dagger that’s pointed at Antarctica.” He’s quite Eurocentric and doesn’t think Latin America is important.

What he worried is that NATO countries — particularly Italy and Germany and France — would see the example of Chile, whereby they elect democratically a communistsocialist alliance that comes to power and does well. All of those other countries that he did care about had communists and socialists as part of their parties. His worry was that it would be copied in Europe.

also observed in the yard, shrubs, sidewalks and porches of two Village Housing units on Woodland Street.

9:38 a.m. An officer on routine patrol of Noah Hall found that a fire extinguisher had discharged in the hallway on the first floor.

The empty extinguisher was taken to the Service Building garages for replacement and a work order was filed for clean up.

12:12 p.m. Officers and members of the Oberlin Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at the Union Street Housing Complex.

Steam from a hot shower activated a hallway detector; the exhaust fan was not used. The alarm was reset with no further problems.

Interview by Oliver Bok, News editor Photo courtesy of Steve Volk

5:21 p.m. A student reported three juveniles by the bike racks on the north side of Johnson House, pulling on the bikes in the rack. When approached, they left the area and headed towards the Arb. The area was checked with made with no results.

Monday, Sept. 14 2:41 p.m. A staff member reported falling on a broken cement walkway and injuring their right ankle while walking in Wilder Bowl. The staff member declined medical attention.

Cones were placed in the area.

Page 4

News

The Oberlin Review, September 18, 2015

Auntie Na Discusses Plans for Home Expansion Tyler Sloan News Editor Known fondly by many as “Auntie Na,” Detroit-based community organizer Sonia Brown is the proprietor of a house that many consider to be more than a home.

The owner of a space that serves copious purposes — including a food pantry, community garden and free childcare center, among others — will address Oberlin community members at First Church this evening to discuss the expansion of her nonprofit organization.

“Auntie Na’s house is just that — it’s my home,” Brown said. “It’s been in my family for six generations. I opened it up and made every room, in some form or fashion, accessible to the needs of my community.”

Oberlin students have had a relationship with Auntie Na since 2013, when a sustainability club headed to Detroit to do some community gardening and met Brown. “[She] happened to run into this group of Oberlin students, and Na, being who she is, inspired them to come back,” said College senior Aaron Appel, who worked with Brown the following Winter Term.

The organization has served as an afterschool program, clothing distribution hub, community meal space and temporary shelter, as well as a safe space for women and children in dangerous situations. Additionally, Auntie Na’s House largely supports low-income families of color, folks with developmental disabilities, those recovering from drug addiction and domestic violence survivors.

“The thing is that the needs have outgrown my home . . . But Auntie Na’s village is a vision that I have to purchase a lot of the blight and abandoned houses, and a building that used to be a casket company.”

Brown said that by expanding Auntie Na’s House into a village, she could broaden programs like the community garden and create a training center that would

offer trade classes to the neighborhood’s youth. She added that she hopes to attract volunteers who are willing to help train children in certain vocational skills, such as welding, woodshop, sewing and computer technology classes.

Brown’s talk will discuss some of the ways that Oberlin community members can involve themselves with her program and encourage a wider level of engagement among students.

“That’s the part of the unity that I’m hoping to harvest,” Brown said. “Not just bringing volunteers over from the community, but from all over, so that the children can identify with other cultures, other people and also [be offered] another outlook and intake of the world in general.”

Appel added that the majority of students currently involved with Auntie Na’s House are seniors, so part of the incentive behind the event is to engage younger members of the community to get involved with the organization. “[Auntie Na] does everything she could possibly do there, and she still dreams for more, and she can handle more,” Appel said. “So why not connect to this amazing woman who is doing amazing work?”

Brown will discuss fundraising and volunteer opportunities for community members during her visit to Oberlin. Anthony Moaton, College junior and Congress representative at the Bonner Center for Service and Learning, has been involved with Auntie Na’s House through Oberlin’s Immerse Yourself in Service program.

Through IYS, Moaton has assisted with different forms of outreach and fundraising for the organization.

“I think that the work Auntie Na does is not only important for the community, but a wonderful example of the power of grassroots work,” Moaton said. “[It] can show how other nonprofits can structure their engagement with service.”

Additional reporting by Xiaoqian Zhu

College sophomore Kopo Oromeng paints a mural in Sonia Brown’s home, also known as Auntie Na’s House, during a service trip to Detroit last fall break. Brown will visit campus to discuss her nonprofit organization at the First Church in Oberlin tonight.

Courtesy of Aaron Appel

MRC Holds First Two Listening Sessions for New Director Continued from page 1 undocumented and first-generation College students because those are groups that aren’t well-represented on campus,” said College senior Ariana Zuri.

Students also called for the new director to have a larger presence on campus than the outgoing one. According to some, despite former director Alison Williams’ positive legacy at the center, she was not given enough opportunities to foster personal connections with many students.

“The director’s job should be structured almost like two half time jobs; they should be involved with the students but still maintain their responsibilities,” said College junior Ryan Dearon.

For Kamitsuka, an overarching theme of the discussions was that students wanted the MRC to feel “more like a home than an office.”

Estes, who was MRC director for seven years before becoming dean, said he expects the new hire to mesh well with the student body.

“We’re going to get someone great who students are excited about working with and who will advocate for students and be energetic and dedicated about working with them,” Estes said. “The director will also help build collaborative opportunities for students with faculty, staff, alumni, community members and activists and academics from around the world.”

The students on the search committee are Brian Cabral, Anne Chege, Alex Cunningham, Miles Ginoza and DeRon McDaniel. Faculty and staff members Kazim Ali, Gillian Johns, Shelley Lee, Meredith Raimondo, Dana Hamdan, Kimberly Jackson Davidson, Chris Jenkins and Marcelo Vinces join Kamitsuka in the search.

The search committee hopes to bring in the new director by late November, but the timeline is flexible. The committee said it plans to hold listening sessions for faculty in the near future, but has yet to release the official schedule.

September 18, 2015

Opinions The Oberlin Review

Page 5

The Oberlin Review Publication of Record for Oberlin College — Established 1874 —

Editors-in-Chief Julian Ring Madeline Stocker Student Senate elections are live until 11:59 p.m. today. The ballot link was sent via email to the student body on Monday, Sept. 14.

Elijah Aladin Obies, I am a dedicated and ambitious first-year student with high hopes to bring change to Oberlin. My vision, if elected to the Student Senate, is to ease the transition for incoming students by improving the effectiveness of existing facilities. During orientation, for example, I heard whispers about frequent nervous breakdowns and mental health issues, yet there was little information about the resources available to help with these issues. I discovered that, while we have a health center, it’s separated from most of the campus! This should better publicized and more accessible.

Additionally, there is a ban on tobacco products being imposed on the campus beginning next school year. I don’t think that is the solution. Not everyone should be subjected to cigarette smoke, but it is equally wrong to deny students the right to smoke. There need to be several designated smoking areas that are reachable from anywhere on campus.

Finally, I want to ensure consistent communication between the faculty, administration and students so that we can work to make our community safer and beneficial for everyone.

This experience should be as great as possible, and with your help and your vote, we can accomplish that today!

Endorsed by the Oberlin College Democrats

Jesse Docter My name is Jesse Docter, and I’m a College sophomore and prospective Politics major. I believe that Student Senate has the capacity to be an important instrument of change at Oberlin. The Senate can amplify and legitimize the demands of students in the eyes of the administration, and we can move this institution closer to our ideal of it. One demand that I personally would like to see Oberlin take more seriously is the demand for greater financial accessibility. The financial aid policies of Oberlin College are serious barriers to racial and economic diversity on this campus. Increasing economic accessibility is a crucial step if we intend to make Oberlin a more progressive and inclusive institution.

Last year, a wave of financial accessibility activism established the issue as a priority for much of Oberlin’s student body.

The advocacy petered out, but I think greater involvement with Student Senate and a willingness to cooperate and be a part of the administration’s policy-making process can bring about change this year. In addition to financial aid advocacy, I would love the opportunity to represent the voices of Oberlin students on any and every issue that the Student Senate can influence.

Endorsed by the Oberlin College Democrats

Joshua Koller To the graduating class this year, congratulations; to the first-year class, welcome; and to everyone at Oberlin College, hello and thank you for voting for Student Senate. My name is Josh Koller (he, him, his), and I am a sophomore Africana Studies and Law and Society double

major. In my time at Oberlin, I’ve participated in school affairs as a member of the Presidential Working Group of Safety and Security, a committee created to ensure oversight within Safety and Security and positive relationships between Safety and Security and students. Although I am extremely proud to be a student at Oberlin College, I recognize that there are changes that can be made to benefit the student body and the College as a whole and believe representing my peers as a student senator is a great way to enact positive change on this campus. I look forward to advocating on your behalf in Senate plenaries and to meeting any of you that I don’t yet know.

Endorsed by the Oberlin College Democrats

Cory Ventresca My name is Cory Ventresca, and I’m a junior Asia House resident running for re-election to Student Senate. Last year, I ran with an idea of a more inclusive Senate and a promise to replace the draconian rules of the tobacco ban with more balanced ones.

While my peers and I were successful in making last year’s Senate a more functional body than it had been in past iterations, the tobacco ban still passed in the December 2014 meeting of the General Faculty. I voted against the tobacco ban in that meeting, and I now serve on the Tobacco-Free Policy Implementation Committee, where I am still fighting for a common sense interpretation of the policy that both protects students’ liberties and health.

This year, I want to see furthered student body-student government relations after having spent much of last year See Student, page 6

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Managing Editor Vida Weisblum Opinions Editor Kiley Petersen

College Scorecard Can Disrupt Higher Ed’s Prestige Economy One of the Obama administration’s goals was to rank every college and university — all 7,000-odd private and public institutions of higher education in the nation — by their comparative student debt and earning potential. College administrators nationwide opposed the initiative, fearing such a ranking system would favor institutions with robust STEM or vocational programs. The answer to the controversy was a compromise: On Saturday, the U.S. Department of Education revealed a website called College Scorecard, which consolidates average annual cost, graduation rate and salary post-graduation for each institution. No rankings are assigned; the scorecard is just an easy-to-navigate treasure trove of financial facts.

However, nestled in this cache is one metric that has the potential to change the way students think about the value of higher education. Each college’s scorecard includes the percentage of alumni who, six years after enrolling, earn more than the average high school graduate — about $25,000 per year. Think about it: Students now have the ability to estimate, at a glance, the likelihood of earning more money with a degree from a particular school than if they had never attended college in the first place. That idea is not only fascinating but also incredibly important.

The first contemporary marker of higher education’s prestige economy was the U.S. News & World Report’s college rankings, which began in 1983, but universities had lived and died by their reputations for decades earlier. Today, the logic goes that schools like Harvard University, Princeton University, Williams College and Amherst College are some of the best institutions in the country because of their strong academics, distinguished alumni and vast financial resources.

When examining earnings potential, as Obama’s scorecard does, there is some correlation with prestige. An impressive 88 percent of Harvard graduates earn more than the average high school graduate; 75 percent of Princeton graduates do the same, as do 87 percent of Stanford University graduates and MIT alumni. But the same cannot be said across the board. A typical East Coast liberal arts college yields a number somewhere in the vicinity of 66 percent. Oberlin? 52 percent.

We’ve known for awhile that prestige and monetary value don’t necessarily overlap in higher education — and in fact, they often don’t. However, Obama’s Scorecard is the first metric to not only disregard reputation but also present its users with a single, real number summarizing earnings potential. A data dump like the Scorecard’s represents a blow to a deeply entrenched way of thinking, one that can drive students to choose the more esteemed option over the more affordable one. While most of these statistics have been available in college guidebooks for years, College Scorecard is free and easy to navigate. For the first time, high school seniors have the opportunity to consider their financial well-being years into the future — and they may be more likely to alter their decisions as a result.

To be sure, metrics like this are compiled using dozens of factors, and they ignore a multitude of intangibles. It is reasonable to expect that a liberal arts college like Oberlin that educates students in a wide range of humanities and social science disciplines will have a lower mean earnings rating than a STEM-oriented research university like MIT. The Conservatory, whose graduates often go on to less lucrative careers in the arts and music education, likely lowers Oberlin’s score as well. And what about the high number of Oberlin graduates who go on to master’s and doctorate programs, service years abroad or career-oriented internships in their first year or two out of school? Their low net earnings undoubtedly lower the score even further.

It’s also foolish to assume that earnings potential is the only thing on a student’s mind when selecting a school. In Oberlin’s case, a large number of students might choose to land in northeast Ohio for other reasons, such as the College’s history of social justice work or its inclusive community. These are the elements monetary data will almost always fail to reflect.

On a broader scale, however, College Scorecard performs a vital function by reorienting the conversation surrounding higher education. Thorough financial information, some of which may be uncomfortably honest, empowers students to make more informed decisions about the cost of their education during and after their undergraduate years. If we’re ever going to chip away at the disproportionate influence prestige holds over public perception of colleges and universities — and perhaps even slow the runaway growth of tuition prices — this is a good place to start.

Editorials are the responsibility of the Review Editorial Board — the Editors-in-Chief, managing editor and Opinions editor — and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the Review.

Opinions

Page 6

The Oberlin Review, September 18, 2015

Environmentalists Can Learn from ISIS Occupation Machmud Makhmudov Columnist In an election season defined thus far by a rogue email server, a neurosurgeon once played by Cuba Gooding Jr. in a made-for-TV film and cries to “make America great again,” it should come as no surprise that one of the most serious and consequential foreign policy arguments made by a presidential candidate thus far was largely dismissed on the spot. Though he lags in national polls for the Democratic nomination, former Governor of Maryland Martin O’Malley demonstrated clarity of vision and a nuanced understanding of scientific and social history when he tied the rise of the Islamic State — otherwise known as ISIS — with the accumulated effects of climate change. Unsurprisingly, Republicans responded derisively. In a July interview with Bloomberg News, O’Malley said, “One of the things that preceded the failure of the nation-state of Syria and the rise of ISIS was the effect of climate change and the mega-drought that affected that region, wiped out farmers, drove people to cities, created a humanitarian crisis that created the symptoms — or rather, the conditions — of extreme poverty that has led now to the rise of ISIL [the Islamic State] and this extreme violence.”

Several months later, the world is grappling with tragedy on the shores of Europe as thousands of Syrian refugees flee from the war-torn nation toward greater stability across the Mediterranean. Though some countries, such as Germany, have acted decisively in providing refuge for asylum seekers, many others are bitterly divided over how many migrants they will take in. Some have begun closing their borders and fortifying them with higher walls and armed security.

Thus far, the U.S. has accepted 1,500 Syrian refugees, with President Obama announcing intentions to offer asylum to up to 10,000 in 2016 through a strict vetting process. This strategy has been rightfully criticized when considered in the context of Syria’s population of about 22 million, many of whom are fleeing the country. The U.S. has the resources and infrastructure, as well as the moral responsibility, to do more for those who are most vulnerable in the world in a time of crisis. However, it’s important to note that our responsibility doesn’t end there.

In light of these circumstances, O’Malley’s statement isn’t as much a description of politics in the present as much as it is a foreshadowing of perhaps the greatest ethical and social challenges that the world will face in the next century. Melting permafrost, coastal erosion and stronger storms displaced over

25 million people from their homes last year, according to the Gates Foundation. The Brookings Institute estimates that anywhere from 50 million to one billion people will be displaced from their homes by the end of the century as a result of climate change.

It’s plausible — although, under present circumstances, perhaps naïve — to assume –––––––––––––––––––––––––––———–

The U.S. has the resources and infrastructure, as well as the moral responsibility, to do more for those who are most vulnerable in the world in a time of crisis.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––———– that the Syrian civil war will eventually end and that ISIS’s influence in the region will be heavily diminished, if not eliminated altogether, over time. The accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, however, will continue to shape the world for centuries to come. What can we learn from the present crisis in Syria in light of these facts?

First, public officials must be vocal in explaining that conflicts that enable terror groups like ISIS to thrive are often rooted in

the resource scarcity that comes as a result of climate change. Numerous studies have documented the difficulties that agricultural communities in particular face when sources of income literally dry up. Paired with what becomes an existential quest for increasingly scarce food and water, economic depravity lends itself to increased conflict over time.

Second, it’s imperative that environmentally conscious Republicans stand up to the fossil fuel interests that often dictate the party’s energy policy and speak to the urgency of combatting climate change. The Republican National Committee was quick to dismiss O’Malley’s aforementioned statement as “absurd.” Without bipartisan consensus that the threat of climate change is an actual threat, it’s difficult to imagine the U.S. — the world’s second-largest carbon emitter — assuming a leadership role in sustainable development.

Third, U.S. immigration policy must be reformed to reflect the fact that, as the primary beneficiary of industrialization, we have the responsibility to provide a home to those who are displaced by climate change and make their way to our borders. At the very least, we must work with our allies abroad to ensure that there is a strong and reliable infrastructure in place to ensure justice for refugees across the world.

Student Senate Elections Continued from page 5 as Operations Manager, working on improving Senate from the inside. While the spring 2015 elections saw the greatest turnout in our history, it was still only 27 percent. A more engaged student body means a more representative Senate, and at the end of the day, we work for you!

Endorsed by the Oberlin College Democrats

Henry DuBeau I am a sophomore and a potential double major in Theater and Law and Society. Throughout my first year, I spent much time getting to know members from all over the Oberlin community, from WOBC to the Equestrian Team to Oberlin Musical Theater Association and everyone in between. Along the way, I have heard many of you voice your concerns, and my goal as a Student Senator is to encourage meaningful discussions of diverse perspectives to promote the welfare of all students. Some of the issues I want to tackle include financial accessibility at Oberlin, the transparency of our Student Government and establishing greater connections with the town’s residents. I intend to use my previous experience in student government from high school to become an even more effective advocate for you here at Oberlin. Thank you, and I greatly appreciate your support.

Endorsed by the Responsible Investing Organization Endorsed by the Oberlin Harry Potter Alliance

Cyrus Alexander Eosphoros Being completely honest: I am a white-passing Mexican international student, a queer transgender man and visibly and multiply disabled. I hope that existing at these intersections will help me represent the underrepresented communities I belong to and understand the people whose identities I don’t share.

I’ve held leadership and peer support roles formally and informally, largely in the Baldwin Cottage community. I’ve also been involved in the Socialist Collective, am involved with a nascent trans and non-binary group on campus and currently work for the Review.

Criticism aside, Oberlin has improved me. That is why I would like to return the favor.

Anjali Kolachalam Hey Oberlin! I am Anjali Kolachalam, and I’m running for my second term on Student Senate. I’m running because although our time on campus is short, I want the years we spend here to be the best they can be. That means making sure that the Student Support Initiatives Fund, which is a valuable and important resource, is available and utilized by everyone who needs it. It also means listening to student feedback on how to improve campus life and making students feel engaged on Oberlin issues. Having worked to expand the Meals over Breaks program piloted by last year’s Senate, I hope to work this year to make it the best it can be. As head of the Student Engagement and Student Support Initiative working groups, I have experience working with students on campus. Also, as co-chair of South Asian Students Association I recognize that diversity and inclusion are important issues to be discussed and addressed on campus. I look forward to continuing the dialogue with you and making this not just a great year, but one that builds on Oberlin’s legacy and values. Thanks, and I appreciate your vote!

Dan Lev I am running my campaign on three topics I find need to be addressed on this campus. First, I call for queen-sized beds in every room. The tyranny of sharing a twin single must be stopped. If you prefer to sleep alone, that is completely acceptable. At least now you can have more room. Second, I will work to raise the registered party limit from 25 to 45. How does the administration expect us to turn up effectively when a registered party cannot even cover the size of one full squad? Third, I want to address the permanent necessity for a $2 smoothie special at DeCafé. The strawberry special offered several semesters ago was dank. We need more of that.

Daniel Marcelle I am running for Student Senate because I believe I would be a valuable member and would help contribute to Oberlin and the community. One of the issues I am very passionate about is the environment. There are a lot of little things we can do to make our campus more environmentally friendly through low-cost solar panel initiatives and expanded recycling opportunities.

I hope to be that positive voice for the environment and

other initiatives that would help improve Oberlin and the lives of students in Student Senate. Improving safety for students will also be one of my priorities if I am elected. There are cost effective, simple ways to make the campus safer that I hope to implement. I hope you will consider voting for me.

Kirsten Mojziszek Hey Oberlin, my name is Kirsten Mojziszek (Mose), and in a twist of events, I am running for Student Senate. In the past year, I have had experience as president of both my high school’s drama club and sketch comedy club, as well as holding the positions of secretary and vice president within those clubs in previous years. I often acted as a student liaison between school faculty and student members, worked to include opinions of all students into club activities, conducted board meetings and planned school-wide events with a combination of community adults, students and high school faculty. I hope to bring these skills to the Oberlin Student Senate by advocating for campus issues such as allyship and student health. I would like to be available to whoever might want to discuss Oberlin policies and problems and bring their concerns to the Student Senate whenever possible. If elected, I will do my part to be the best liaison between students and faculty that I can be. If you’d like to vote for me, go for it! If not, that’s chill too! Either way, have a good day.

Jacob Nadel On my second visit to Oberlin, I attended a student panel in which the panelists were asked why they chose to attend this school. The answer that stood out to me was this: “Oberlin is a place where people are completely, unapologetically themselves.”

Oberlin College is the first place I have felt truly at home, and that is why I could not be more excited at the opportunity to help change it for the better, to make it a place where we all can grow and thrive. Yes, Oberlin may be one of the most progressive schools in the country, but we cannot rest until we have come to a point where everyone on our campus can feel like they can be “unapologetically themselves.”

I believe my experience as the liaison between my school’s young Democrats club and our town’s Democratic town committee, as well as my general approachability, friendly attitude and positive outlook, make me an ideal candidate for Student Senate. As a Senator, I will easily be able to bring student complaints to the administration and ensure that said complaints are addressed, and that change as a whole is created.

Have a good day!

Opinions

The Oberlin Review, September 18, 2015

Fair Executions Impossible to Achieve Josh Ashkinaze Columnist At the end of his inspiring Convocation talk, Brian Stevenson was asked, “Are there people who deserve to die?”

And he answered something like, “Personally, I do not think so.” We are not our worst action. But it wouldn’t matter if there were people who deserve to die.

Does the criminal justice system — with all of its known faults and errors — really deserve to kill people?

This is the moral paradox of killing criminals: Even if you believe some people deserve to die, who deserves to kill?

140 countries have banned statesponsored capital punishment. Many people, myself included, are uncomfortable with the U.S. government exercising the death penalty. But there is another history of capital punishment, and I’ve never heard that history mentioned.

This is the history of outlaw status — a sentence declaring a criminal outside of the law, subject to mob violence and stripped of legal recourse. We now think of outlaws as people with bandanas and hats roaming the desert or wreaking havoc on trains in the 1800s. Those outlaws chose to live outside of the law, but the original outlaws were not outside of the law by choice. Outlaw status was like a democratized death sentence.

Outlaw status existed in Ancient Rome and in many premodern societies. In pre-Magna Carta England, for example, being issued a Writ of Outlawry was the harshest punishment — anyone could kill you and take your property, not just the state. There was an English legal phrase for outlaws, caput gerat lupinum, or “Let him bear the head of a wolf.” If you were an outlaw, you were a lone wolf. You had no protection.

Of course, to sentence somebody to outlaw status seems barbaric. On a pragmatic level, I would rather not live next –––––––––––––––––––––––––––——–

This is the moral paradox of killing criminals: Even if you believe some people deserve to die, who deserves to kill?

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––—— to neighbors who, to brighten up their mundane Wednesdays, club outlaws to death. And, on a moral level, isn’t this the crowdsourced, licensed killing of a whole community of murderers? Yet at the same time, 140 countries have abolished the modern, state-sponsored death penalty. That method’s clearly not optimal either.

Neither a mob nor the state government seem to be appropriate ex-

ecutioners. The practical problem with thinking that criminals deserve to die, then, is that it’s difficult to pick a just executioner.

On April 29, 2014, Oklahoma performed one of the worst, most inhumane and botched executions in the bad, inhumane and botched history of American executions. It was a bumbling 42 minutes long.

The man to be executed was Clayton Lockett. Why was Lockett on death row?

On June 3, 1999, Stephanie Neiman, a recent high school graduate, was driving a friend home. She arrived at her friend’s house at the same time Lockett and two accomplices were planning a break-in.

The trio raped Neiman’s friend. When pressed, Neiman refused to give up her car keys. Eventually, the men drove Neiman to a dirt road and threatened her, but she still maintained that she would go to the police. Lockett and his accomplices started to bury her alive, then finally shot and killed her.

Perhaps the executioners, those in charge of delivering the lethal doses, thought that Lockett deserved to die.

But imagine 40 minutes into this hellish spectacle, with Lockett gasping for his last breath. Maybe the executioners were also thinking, “But why are we the ones to kill him?”

Radical Activism Divides LGBTQ+ Community Cyrus Eosphoros Columnist Even more than the average Obie, I hang around a lot of radical queer activists, online and off. It means I get to live with the weird duality of often being the furthest left in a physical room while being the closest to a thing to a conservative as soon as I open Twitter.

I have noticed a trend in the people avowedly left of me toward queer separatism with a twist. Unlike the lesbian separatists of the ’70s and their otherwise queer ilk, no one seems to be able to get away with demanding a literal, physical isolation in 2015. Instead, there’s an implicit requirement that to be actually, legitimately queer, one must withdraw monastically from society. A queer person can be accused of being complicit in their own oppression or of giving up their queerness should they have the wrong politics, follow the wrong religion or want to get married — something not demanded of people seen as not being queer (whether that means cis, straight, dyadic, allosexual or -romantic or anything along those lines).

At its bedrock, the conviction appears to be that our often-oppressive society is homophobic and transphobic, and so it renders anyone participating in it complicit, if not stripping them of their identity entirely. In the past three months, marriage has emerged as an excellent litmus test of this attitude: Not only is it a LGBTQ+ issue constantly in the news, it’s a clear-cut example of unequal rights that is literally about participation in a social institution.

Why is this a problem? What are queer activists afraid of ?

It appears to be the specter of assimilation. By daring to want to participate in an ancient social institution linked to love and identity — let alone religion, without even addressing the practical benefits — people like me are seen as having let the queer movement down. It becomes a betrayal for a queer person to want to do something that straight people do; queerness is only seen as valid in a vacuum.

Which brings us, like many who have gravitated toward the controversial topic, to Kim Davis, the Rowan County, KY clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses in response to the Supreme Court ruling in favor of marriage equality. After Davis denied marriage licenses to four couples — two straight, two gay — they brought the case to the American Civil Liberties Union. U.S. District Judge David Bunning found Davis in contempt and ordered her jailed; she was recently released.

In her absence, the office has been issuing licenses normally — that is, the justice system seems to have worked.

It was in a Twitter response from user @reinagossett to a Buzzfeed article on the subject that I saw the most egregious example of the trend I’m describing (“Rowan County Clerk’s Office Finally Issues Marriage Licenses,” Dominic Holden,

Sept. 4, 2015). Over a screenshot of the article link and the lead image, two white-passing men are hugging with their backs to the camera, with commentary from @reinagossett: “Well it didn’t take that long for gays to be the pretty white rich face of the carceral state #homonormativitykills.”

What’s wrong with this picture?

The four couples who brought the suit against Davis wanted her fined; Judge Bunning refused. The only way to avoid her detention — and the only way placing the blame on the queer people she discriminated against would make any sense — is if the supposedly virtuous act would have been for them to do nothing.

Why is this being required of queer civilians by queer activists?

In answering that, examining the more prevalent backlash to equal marriage of which this attitude is a subset will prove useful. The public face of this reactionary current is that equal marriage — tellingly referred to as “gay” marriage by people who should know better — pales in comparison to real issues. When asked for examples, some individuals usually respond with “ones that affect trans people,” with the odd subtext that transgender people never have relationships or want to marry. What I have seen from these same people when speaking to other LGBTQ+ folks is that, instead of facing outwards, not only is marriage irrelevant or a distraction from the really important issues facing the LGBTQ+ community, it may even be a loss. I have heard “When gay marriage passed, we lost,” said in earnest.

The result is that for a queer identity to be valid, someone must either not participate in wider society or do so only to challenge it. When examined, this logic proves unreasonable, to say the least. Human beings are social animals. Social asceticism and compulsory activism as conditions for queer identity are not only absurdist gatekeeping, but also unspeakably cruel demands. If nothing else, the people who choose them voluntarily should understand how much they are sacrificing before demanding that of others for no constructive reason.

“Gay” marriage is often criticized on the grounds that it is only accessible to the rich. But the national average weekly wage was $958 in 2013; in Rowan County, it was $606.

Along with the near-revocation of queerness from anyone who dares to want to get married comes an insistence that marriage is exclusively the domain of the rich. Apparently we just needed more intra-community erasure, since the why is never given.

These implicit demands for queer isolation extend past marriage. As I’ve said, it’s just an excellent lightning rod. In other topics, this viewpoint is more subtle. The one benefit of seeing it writ large like this almost daily is that I’m getting better at spotting the quieter version.

The downside is it’s everywhere.

Page 7

Eastern Europe Still Endures Russian Influence Sean Para Columnist The U.S.-Russian relationship has changed dramatically in the past year and a half. After more than two decades of cooperation, the old foes have returned to their previous antagonism.

The cause — the Ukraine Crisis and ensuing war in the Donbass — continues to smolder and drive the two powers apart. Russia also has influence in several other key regions, with Syria as the one most commonly making headlines. Russia’s weight on the international field is too great to ignore, and the U.S. should change its current isolationist attitude to one of limited engagement.

Russia is not the power it once was. During the Cold War, the Soviets had the second-largest economy, by far the largest landmass and one of the largest nuclear arsenals in the world.

The USSR led one of the two blocs into which the world was divided. From the days of Peter the Great in the 1700s until the famous October Revolution of 1917, Russia spent two centuries as one of Europe’s leading powers. Nowadays, Russia holds influence over certain regions but no longer has the strength to compete one-on-one with the U.S. It has a relatively small economy, falling behind the U.S., China, Japan, Germany, Great Britain and France. It no longer leads a major military bloc or intervenes far afield.

Despite these limitations, Russia is undoubtedly a great power in the traditional sense. There are several reasons for this. First of all, Russia’s military strength is far greater than the size of its economy would suggest. It is a nuclear power, a major badge of status and an important factor in any military action. It has the fourth-largest military by number of personnel and the fourthlargest military budget, spending less than only the United States, China and Saudi Arabia. Since the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, Russia has been modernizing its military, preparing well-trained and highly-equipped elite units that have been used in the recent “hybrid warfare” strategy one can see in Ukraine. Russia also retains one of the five permanent seats on the United Nation Security Council, a holdover from the Cold War that gives the country a huge amount of influence in the U.N. Although Russia’s economy is small, its huge amount of natural resources, specifically hydrocarbons, gives it a crucial level of influence over its neighbors.

Russia still projects influence in several crucial regions despite no longer being a superpower in the traditional sense. Russian intervention played a major role in the Ukraine conflict — its putatively clandestine intervention served as a blatant reminder of the overwhelming military dominance Russia has in the post-Soviet space.

Having supported the pro-Russian uprising, commitment to the “People’s Republics” of Eastern Ukraine has been backed by repeated, if small, military interventions. Recent Russian actions in Syria in support of the Assad regime highlight Moscow’s dedication to the survival of the Syrian dictatorship; the Putin government has sent arms, weapons systems and financial support.

Recently Russia has been constructing a military base by the port city of Latakia in the Assad government’s heartland.

Russian involvement in the Ukrainian and Syrian conflicts makes dialogue with Moscow necessary. Putin does not want to see endless death and destruction in either country. His interventions serve to protect what he sees as crucial Russian interests in strategic zones that cannot fall under Western dominance. If Washington were to engage with Putin about both conflicts, it is possible that the two rivals could come to agreements that protect both of their interests as well as end the incredible amount of destruction and suffering we have seen in both countries. Agreements such as these have a long historical precedent and are certainly in the realm of possibility. Ignoring Russia’s interests while Moscow pours money and military assets into these conflicts will only result in further stalemate.

182 Years of the Oberlin Inn

Park House in 1869, after a change in ownership and name The Oberlin Inn in 1951, before construction of 1955 building

The 1955 building soon after completion

1955 Oberlin Inn

1834 Brewster Pelton’s log cabin (Oberlin House) Brewster Pelton is credited as the man who built Oberlin’s first hotel, a two-story building with a mid-Victorian charm. The establishment served no alcohol or tobacco, as Oberlin was a dry town. Ironically, the bar in the back of the Oberlin Inn today is named after the original proprietor. Oberlin House was a strongly religious lodging, where even tea and coffee were seen as “dubious.” The inn has also gone under the names Palmer House and Monroe House throughout its history.

Eight years after the 1850 Fugitive Slave Law was passed, John Price, an escaped slave, came to Oberlin through the Underground Railroad. Not long after, Anderson Jennings, a neighbor of Price’s former master, also showed up in Oberlin. Jennings and his men captured Price and took him to the train station in Wellington, expecting to bring him back to Kentucky for their reward. On their way they were spotted by an Oberlin resident who notified other members of the community. Soon, College professors, superintendent of the First Church Sunday School, theological students and town lawyers were traveling to Wellington to help Price. After their successful rescue, Price stayed at the home of Professor and later College President James H. Fairchild, who helped Price escape to Canada. Soon after, Anderson Jennings took over 30 members of the Oberlin community to court for their actions, and funds had to be raised for the defense. There was a dinner feast and music following the legal victory known as the Felon’s Feast, which was held at the then Palmer House.

1866 The lobby of Oberlin House

Once the College took ownership of the business, its name was changed to the Oberlin Inn. Before long, the College and its trustees decided that they needed to invest in a new building. Parts of the new structure, which cost $600,000 at the time, are still in use today. The dining room annex was added in 1998. Before the annex, the lounge area of the Inn was used for dining.

The new Inn was moved back from the road, with trees in front of it to muffle the noise of Main Street. As construction of the new building and demolition of the old one began, it was found that the old building was completely rotted through; most of the support beams had fallen apart.

At least two shops were to be built on the ground floor of the building, their fronts facing East College Street. Until the recent construction, these storefronts were still in use. There was also space made available behind the Inn for a storefront off of Willard Court, where Brewsters is today.

The new hotel was designed so that the interior would be fully furnished with the styles

Signs such as “Drones cannot be enduring in this hive of industry,” “No student shall burn gunpowder with permission from the president” and “The system of education aims at the education of the whole man” were hung in the the Oberlin Inn dining hall. They were adapted from the old lampshades of the Smith House. They can now also be found on the tapestry hanging on the first floor of Mudd library.

Park House

After the Oberlin House was destroyed by a fire in 1866, it was rebuilt through community and College funds. It was known as Smith House until 1895, when Marx Straus of Elyria came into the property through deed, renamed it Park Hotel and donated the building to the College.

The establishment kept up a more rustic aesthetic, and didn’t acquire its liquor license until 1986. Yet with no elevator or baths in most rooms, the hotel slowly began to loose its old-timey charm and simply didn’t meet the needs of clients.

The Future of Auntie Na’s Village: Community-Based Change in Detroit Friday, Sept. 18, 7–9 p.m.

First Church in Oberlin, Meeting Room

The Park House dining hall

The lobby of the 1955 building

Auntie Na’s House is a community center located on the west side of Detroit, MI, that has been functioning as a food pantry, after-school program space and community garden for over six generations. Auntie Na’s Harvesting Unity hopes to gain support and redistribute some of Oberlin’s resources to this worthy cause. Come hear Auntie Na speak and meet the woman who is trying to help her community center grow into a village and, in turn, a safe space.

For several years around 1988, Conservatory auditions for prospective students were held at the Inn.

First Organ Pump of the Semester Friday, Sept. 18, 12–1 a.m.

Finney Chapel

Alumni-Student Networking Reception Saturday, Sept. 19, 7–8:30 p.m.

Oberlin Inn, Main Dining Room

Organ Pump is an Oberlin tradition everyone must experience at least once.

All students are welcome to come hear music performed by the Conservatory’s organ department. Lay on the floor of the Finney Chapel stage and experience the vibrations of this awe-inspiring music.

Organized through the Career Center, this event is a casual reception during which current Oberlin students are invited to meet alumni. The event is intended to help students generate connections, discuss postgraduate plans and gain general career advice. Dress code is business casual and the event is open to all. It is recommended that you register to make sure there are enough refreshments and food for all!

Student paintings were hung in the rooms by Chloe Hamilton, the curator of the Allen Memorial Art Museum at the time. Exhibitions from the AMAM were shown in the lobby.

2016

Peter B. Lewis Gateway Center This new hotel has been in the works for about a year and completion is expected by January 2016. The old Inn building is projected to be closed by this October. This renovation began in the spring of 2014 and will cost an estimated $32 million upon completion. The 105,000-square-foot center will be named after the largest individual project contributor, Peter B. Lewis. Much of the funding for this project has been generated through the Oberlin Illuminate’s seven-year campaign.

Planners hope to generate more community areas, stimulate the local economy and promote environmental sustainability; the 63-room hotel will be entirely solar-powered. The Gateway Center will also include a convention center that can hold up to 300 people, a commercial office space, a culinary training facility and a restaurant.

Oberlin College’s admissions and development offices will also be moving to the new building upon completion. In terms of environmental sustainability, the new building aims to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Platinum rating, the highest rating of excellence in areas such as energy efficiency and use of environmentally-conscious material.

The VIP bedroom of the 1955 building

The 1930s Oberlin Inn before construction of the new building

CALENDAR

of the time, which included thickly carpeted floors, red brick walls and ceiling-to-floor length windows looking onto Tappan Square.

Modern accommodations increased the accessibility of the building.

Of course, the most exciting new elements were the additions of air conditioning and colored television. A room with a double bed cost $12 a night.

The Inn was run by long-time employees Lester R. Brad and Dick Homstead. The new dining hall could hold a greater capacity of up to 140 guests. Large events were held here, such as Christmas dinner, which cost only 40 cents.

In 1988, the Oberlin Inn began a threeyear partnership with the Marriott Hotel Corporation. This was intended to help keep standards, gain more customers and become a more popular conference site. Overall, it was seen as a “profitable position.”

This Oberlin Inn, which will soon be completely demolished, had a total of 20 managers and changed names a least six times throughout history.

Rendering of the 2016 Peter B. Lewis Gateway Center

Latinx Student, Faculty and Staff Community Building Outing Sunday, Sept. 20, 1 p.m.

Wilder Hall, rear parking lot

Faculty Chamber Series Sunday, Sept. 20, 4–6 p.m.

Kulas Recital Hall, Conservatory Central Unit

This is an event designed to bring together Latinx students, faculty and staff in a community building trip. The meeting place will be in the back of Wilder where the group will travel to Hillcrest Orchards to race in teams through the corn maze, pick apples and spend time together. The admission is $8 but will be waived for those who RSVP before Sunday.

Performances by faculty members of the Conservatory of Music will be held as an afternoon event. Faculty participating include Alexa Still, Michael Strauss, Monique Duphil, James Howsmon, Allie Su, Richard Hawkins, Catharina Meints and Peter Takács. If you aren’t available to attend Sunday, there will also be a webcast of the event online.

Design and writing by Grace Tobin, This Week editor

Education Studies Discussion and Lunch Monday, Sept. 21, 12 –1 p.m.

Wilder Hall, Room 115

Piñatas Workshop Tuesday, Sept. 22, 7:30–8:30 p.m.

Spanish House

The Education Studies Concentration Committee is meeting with chair Deborah Roose to introduce updates to students regarding this concentration. Students who have already declared will be there to answer any questions you may have if you are interested in pursuing the concentration. There will also be a discussion of upcoming topics and events. This is a great way to brainstorm with other students, so bring any ideas you have about how to encourage support and communication within the concentration. There will also be free pizza!

Visit the Spanish House for a crafty evening event. Not only will you get to make your own piñata, but also learn about the different forms and applications of piñatas across various Spanish-speaking countries.

It is not necessary that you speak Spanish or even feel you have a knack for the arts.

Bring your eagerness to learn and create something fun!

182 Years of the Oberlin Inn

Park House in 1869, after a change in ownership and name The Oberlin Inn in 1951, before construction of 1955 building

The 1955 building soon after completion

1955 Oberlin Inn

1834 Brewster Pelton’s log cabin (Oberlin House) Brewster Pelton is credited as the man who built Oberlin’s first hotel, a two-story building with a mid-Victorian charm. The establishment served no alcohol or tobacco, as Oberlin was a dry town. Ironically, the bar in the back of the Oberlin Inn today is named after the original proprietor. Oberlin House was a strongly religious lodging, where even tea and coffee were seen as “dubious.” The inn has also gone under the names Palmer House and Monroe House throughout its history.

Eight years after the 1850 Fugitive Slave Law was passed, John Price, an escaped slave, came to Oberlin through the Underground Railroad. Not long after, Anderson Jennings, a neighbor of Price’s former master, also showed up in Oberlin. Jennings and his men captured Price and took him to the train station in Wellington, expecting to bring him back to Kentucky for their reward. On their way they were spotted by an Oberlin resident who notified other members of the community. Soon, College professors, superintendent of the First Church Sunday School, theological students and town lawyers were traveling to Wellington to help Price. After their successful rescue, Price stayed at the home of Professor and later College President James H. Fairchild, who helped Price escape to Canada. Soon after, Anderson Jennings took over 30 members of the Oberlin community to court for their actions, and funds had to be raised for the defense. There was a dinner feast and music following the legal victory known as the Felon’s Feast, which was held at the then Palmer House.

1866 The lobby of Oberlin House

Once the College took ownership of the business, its name was changed to the Oberlin Inn. Before long, the College and its trustees decided that they needed to invest in a new building. Parts of the new structure, which cost $600,000 at the time, are still in use today. The dining room annex was added in 1998. Before the annex, the lounge area of the Inn was used for dining.

The new Inn was moved back from the road, with trees in front of it to muffle the noise of Main Street. As construction of the new building and demolition of the old one began, it was found that the old building was completely rotted through; most of the support beams had fallen apart.

At least two shops were to be built on the ground floor of the building, their fronts facing East College Street. Until the recent construction, these storefronts were still in use. There was also space made available behind the Inn for a storefront off of Willard Court, where Brewsters is today.

The new hotel was designed so that the interior would be fully furnished with the styles

Signs such as “Drones cannot be enduring in this hive of industry,” “No student shall burn gunpowder with permission from the president” and “The system of education aims at the education of the whole man” were hung in the the Oberlin Inn dining hall. They were adapted from the old lampshades of the Smith House. They can now also be found on the tapestry hanging on the first floor of Mudd library.

Park House

After the Oberlin House was destroyed by a fire in 1866, it was rebuilt through community and College funds. It was known as Smith House until 1895, when Marx Straus of Elyria came into the property through deed, renamed it Park Hotel and donated the building to the College.

The establishment kept up a more rustic aesthetic, and didn’t acquire its liquor license until 1986. Yet with no elevator or baths in most rooms, the hotel slowly began to loose its old-timey charm and simply didn’t meet the needs of clients.

The Future of Auntie Na’s Village: Community-Based Change in Detroit Friday, Sept. 18, 7–9 p.m.

First Church in Oberlin, Meeting Room

The Park House dining hall

The lobby of the 1955 building

Auntie Na’s House is a community center located on the west side of Detroit, MI, that has been functioning as a food pantry, after-school program space and community garden for over six generations. Auntie Na’s Harvesting Unity hopes to gain support and redistribute some of Oberlin’s resources to this worthy cause. Come hear Auntie Na speak and meet the woman who is trying to help her community center grow into a village and, in turn, a safe space.

For several years around 1988, Conservatory auditions for prospective students were held at the Inn.

First Organ Pump of the Semester Friday, Sept. 18, 12–1 a.m.

Finney Chapel

Alumni-Student Networking Reception Saturday, Sept. 19, 7–8:30 p.m.

Oberlin Inn, Main Dining Room

Organ Pump is an Oberlin tradition everyone must experience at least once.

All students are welcome to come hear music performed by the Conservatory’s organ department. Lay on the floor of the Finney Chapel stage and experience the vibrations of this awe-inspiring music.

Organized through the Career Center, this event is a casual reception during which current Oberlin students are invited to meet alumni. The event is intended to help students generate connections, discuss postgraduate plans and gain general career advice. Dress code is business casual and the event is open to all. It is recommended that you register to make sure there are enough refreshments and food for all!

Student paintings were hung in the rooms by Chloe Hamilton, the curator of the Allen Memorial Art Museum at the time. Exhibitions from the AMAM were shown in the lobby.

2016

Peter B. Lewis Gateway Center This new hotel has been in the works for about a year and completion is expected by January 2016. The old Inn building is projected to be closed by this October. This renovation began in the spring of 2014 and will cost an estimated $32 million upon completion. The 105,000-square-foot center will be named after the largest individual project contributor, Peter B. Lewis. Much of the funding for this project has been generated through the Oberlin Illuminate’s seven-year campaign.

Planners hope to generate more community areas, stimulate the local economy and promote environmental sustainability; the 63-room hotel will be entirely solar-powered. The Gateway Center will also include a convention center that can hold up to 300 people, a commercial office space, a culinary training facility and a restaurant.

Oberlin College’s admissions and development offices will also be moving to the new building upon completion. In terms of environmental sustainability, the new building aims to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Platinum rating, the highest rating of excellence in areas such as energy efficiency and use of environmentally-conscious material.

The VIP bedroom of the 1955 building

The 1930s Oberlin Inn before construction of the new building

CALENDAR

of the time, which included thickly carpeted floors, red brick walls and ceiling-to-floor length windows looking onto Tappan Square.

Modern accommodations increased the accessibility of the building.

Of course, the most exciting new elements were the additions of air conditioning and colored television. A room with a double bed cost $12 a night.

The Inn was run by long-time employees Lester R. Brad and Dick Homstead. The new dining hall could hold a greater capacity of up to 140 guests. Large events were held here, such as Christmas dinner, which cost only 40 cents.

In 1988, the Oberlin Inn began a threeyear partnership with the Marriott Hotel Corporation. This was intended to help keep standards, gain more customers and become a more popular conference site. Overall, it was seen as a “profitable position.”

This Oberlin Inn, which will soon be completely demolished, had a total of 20 managers and changed names a least six times throughout history.

Rendering of the 2016 Peter B. Lewis Gateway Center

Latinx Student, Faculty and Staff Community Building Outing Sunday, Sept. 20, 1 p.m.

Wilder Hall, rear parking lot

Faculty Chamber Series Sunday, Sept. 20, 4–6 p.m.

Kulas Recital Hall, Conservatory Central Unit

This is an event designed to bring together Latinx students, faculty and staff in a community building trip. The meeting place will be in the back of Wilder where the group will travel to Hillcrest Orchards to race in teams through the corn maze, pick apples and spend time together. The admission is $8 but will be waived for those who RSVP before Sunday.

Performances by faculty members of the Conservatory of Music will be held as an afternoon event. Faculty participating include Alexa Still, Michael Strauss, Monique Duphil, James Howsmon, Allie Su, Richard Hawkins, Catharina Meints and Peter Takács. If you aren’t available to attend Sunday, there will also be a webcast of the event online.

Design and writing by Grace Tobin, This Week editor

Education Studies Discussion and Lunch Monday, Sept. 21, 12 –1 p.m.

Wilder Hall, Room 115

Piñatas Workshop Tuesday, Sept. 22, 7:30–8:30 p.m.

Spanish House

The Education Studies Concentration Committee is meeting with chair Deborah Roose to introduce updates to students regarding this concentration. Students who have already declared will be there to answer any questions you may have if you are interested in pursuing the concentration. There will also be a discussion of upcoming topics and events. This is a great way to brainstorm with other students, so bring any ideas you have about how to encourage support and communication within the concentration. There will also be free pizza!

Visit the Spanish House for a crafty evening event. Not only will you get to make your own piñata, but also learn about the different forms and applications of piñatas across various Spanish-speaking countries.

It is not necessary that you speak Spanish or even feel you have a knack for the arts.

Bring your eagerness to learn and create something fun!

Arts The Oberlin Review

Page 10

September 18, 2015

Community Artists Pay Tribute to Radiation Victim Danny Evans Arts Editor 70 years ago this month, a 2-yearold Japanese girl named Sadako Sasaki survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, which killed 80,000 people instantly and at least 70,000 more due to radiation poisoning within a year. She died of radiation-contracted leukemia 10 years after the 1945 bombing, but not before attempting to fold 1,000 origami paper cranes that represented her wish for peace and wellness. According to Japanese folklore, a crane will grant the wish of anyone who completes a senbazuru, or a thousand origami cranes.

Sadako’s legacy came to Oberlin with the Sept. 8 opening of Sadako: In the Spirit of Peace, a paper arts exhibit at Firelands Association for the Visual Arts. The exhibit features Sadako’s cranes, connected using a string that Oberlin community members forged, as well as posters from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum in Japan, which not only commemorates the bombing but also advocates world peace in its aftermath. The exhibit will grow over the course of the next month as Oberlin community members donate poetry, visual art, origami and other contributions to the exhibition. It will remain open through Oct. 10.

In celebration of this exhibit’s opening, last week Oberlin hosted

Tomoko Watanabe, a second-generation Hiroshima survivor and activist whose work relates closely to mission of Sadako’s story. Watanabe founded the Asian Network of Trust, an organization that works to foster an attitude of nonviolence and reconciliation in Hiroshima. She also co-founded the Green Legacy Hiroshima initiative, a joint project by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research and ANT-Hiroshima “established to safeguard and spread worldwide the seeds and saplings of Hiroshima’s A-bomb trees,” according to its website.

Watanabe brought five hibakujumoku — a Japanese term for trees that survived the atomic bombing 70 years ago — to Oberlin. These saplings will be planted in Tappan Square next year. “[Professor of Biology] Mike Moore, his colleagues in botany and the greenhouse manager Andy Burns are the ones who made hosting the trees possible,” said Professor of Japanese Ann Sherif, who met Watanabe in the summer of 2014 and played an important role in hosting her throughout her week in Oberlin. “Dennis Grieves, who works in grounds at the College, [was also helpful]. Watanabe-san nicknamed him ki no otoosan, or ‘the father of the trees.’”

A number of events related to Hiroshima remembrance and worldwide peace promotion occurred in Oberlin throughout the week, most

Creative Writing Professor Sylvia Watanabe speaks at the opening ceremony of Sadako: In the Spirit of Peace at the Firelands Association for the Visual Arts. Sylvia joined Green Legacy Hiroshima initative founder Tomoko Watanabe and others to help kick off the exhibit, which honors victims of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

Rick Yu

of which involved Watanabe. To kick off the FAVA exhibit, Watanabe hosted a screening of Hiroshima no Pika, a surrealist animated film about the atomic bombing, at the Oberlin Public Library on Sept. 8. Later that day, she took part in the panel discussion, “70 Years Since Hiroshima,” at the First Church in Oberlin alongside Clifton Truman Daniel, the grandson of President Harry Truman,

who ordered the atomic bomb to be dropped on Hiroshima. Watanabe also spoke with Oberlin High School students about the explosion and its aftermath and worked with them to create paper cranes. Local journalist Diane Roose, Creative Writing Professor Sylvia Watanabe and local ceramist Mari Kuroda all helped organize these events throughout the week, according to Sherif.

Sherif spoke to the warm reception Watanabe received from College and community members alike, as well as the political implications of Watanabe’s visit. “There’s a lot of tension among countries in East Asia now, so I felt hopeful about the cordial welcome and interest in Green Legacy from students at Oberlin, no See Sadako, page 13

Feature Photo: John Raymond Quartet

Jazz trumpeter and composer John Raymond performs at the David H. Stull Recital Hall with pianist Dan Tepfer, bassist Joe Martin and drummer Billy Hart. The quartet highlighted the talents of musicians from a broad age range, mirroring its contemporary yet traditional sound. While Raymond is part of the next generation of jazz, the 74-year-old Hart achieved legendary status early in his long and illustrious career, having played with seminal jazz artists including Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock and Pharoah Sanders. The concert featured songs from the quartet’s album, Foreign Territory, which was released this year. Show-goers crowded the hall beyond capacity, reacting positively to compositions like “Deeper,” for which the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers gave Raymond the 2015 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award. Despite high attendance, the performance was an intimate one, with Raymond’s accessible phrasing grounding the fluidly rhapsodic playing of the rest of the quartet.

Text by Danny Evans and Louise Edwards, Arts editors Photo by Bryan Rubin

Arts

The Oberlin Review, September 18, 2015

Page 11

Kenyon Graduate Brings Synth-Pop to Cat Lya Finston College junior Sammy Mellman joined bands Half Waif and Sedna’s not alone. for a cohesive and friendly show at the Cat in the Cream Saturday night, creating a warm atmosphere of sweet tunes and even sweeter friendship.

Half Waif, the synth-pop project of Kenyon College graduate Nandi Rose Plunkett, headlined the rainy evening with a dreamy set. In addition to a handful of older material, the Brooklyn-based group, which also features drummer Zack Levine and guitarist Adan Feliciano, premiered songs from its latest LP, the yet-to-be-released follow-up

Half Waif frontwoman Nandi Rose Plunkett performs for an attentive Cat in the Cream audience.

Half Waif previewed songs from its upcoming LP, the yet-to-be-titled follow-up to its debut Kotekan, on Saturday night.

Kellianne Doyle

to its debut Kotekan. Completed at the end of July, Half Waif ’s latest release is shaping up to be a musical testament to the summer sun, as its upbeat, exuberant tracks spread a warm glow throughout the packed and highly attentive Cat audience Saturday night. Plunkett’s voice pierced through the band’s instrumentation with striking clarity.

Smiling and nodding her head throughout the set, Plunkett’s charm was impossible to ignore, especially after her constant compliments and thanks to the Cat in the Cream and the audience. While advertising her handmade CDs and hand-printed T-shirts toward the end of her set, Plunkett added, “I really want to make friends, too, so come talk to me!”

Plunkett thanked her new Oberlin friends once more with a good-hearted post on Half Waif ’s Facebook page after the show, saying, “You never know what to expect from venues you’ve never played. … Oberlin, you are crazy! Thank you for … being so earnest, enthusiastic, encouraging and kind. … Those cookies are the stuff of dreams.”

Sedna’s not alone., the solo indie rock project of Sandusky, Ohio, native Michael Kaple, preceded Half Waif with a moodier and heart-wrenchingly earnest performance. With only his guitar, crooning voice and loop pedal, Kaple played a somber set of lo-fi tracks off of his 2014 EP Carolyn, which he recorded in an attic. He also called Mellman back up to accompany him for two songs.

Fans of minimalist Midwestern blues were immediately enamored by Kaple’s performance. His slow guitar strums and melancholic lyrics lulled the audience into an introspective sobriety that flowed naturally and seamlessly into the following act. The record’s title track, “Carolyn,” struck audience members with lyrics like, “Carolyn, / you watched me climb into your attic / in a dream / a long, long time ago. / If I wake, / I’m sure to find there’s something magic, / and if I don’t, / I guess I’ll never know.”

However, Kaple’s loop pedal was less effective, at times giving way to cringingly overdramatic harmonization that went on for far too long. During one song, an exagerated ending featured Kaple crouching over his pedal for a slow fadeout of looped vocals that felt awkwardly studio-esque in the context of a live performance setting. In the end, the singer-songwriter should have stayed truer to his lo-fi, minimalist sound rather than spoil it with grandiose vocal loops. Nonetheless, Sedna’s not alone.’s set was almost equally enjoyable as Half Waif ’s, perhaps even more so.

Like Plunkett, Kaple rounded out his act in an amicable manner, telling the crowd, “If you want to buy CDs or be my friend or come talk to me, just chat me up after the show.”

College junior and trombonist Sammy Mellman, who played before Kaple, quickly won the hearts of Cat crowd members with his opening set. Mellman started the night off strong with a set of both covers and originals, including songs by Elliot Moss, Alex G, Bon Iver and R.L. Kelly. Many of the songs Mellman played Saturday night came ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

[Michael Kaple’s] slow guitar strums and melancholic lyrics lulled the audience into an introspective sobriety that flowed naturally and seamlessly into the following act.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– off of his latest cover album Close to Home, which he home-recorded with only his iPad, loop pedal and trombone and released last February.

Throughout his performance, the Oberlin trombonist capitalized on the presence of See Half, page 12

Film Illustrates Printmaker’s Passion for Letterpress Art Isabel Klein For 40-year-old Amos Paul Kennedy Jr., watching someone work an old-fashioned letterpress in Colonial Williamsburg was inspiration enough to trade in his business suit and high-paying corporate position for overalls and a salary of $7,000 per year.

Since opening his own printing company, Kennedy has been making exquisite posters printed with pithy and thought-provoking phrases, which he sells for only $15–20 to increase their accessibility. Director, producer and editor Laura Zinger and her team followed Kennedy for 18 months to film a documentary about his life, Proceed and Be Bold!, which was screened at the Allen Memorial Art Museum on Wednesday, Sept. 16, followed by a question and answer session with Kennedy.

The film reveals Kennedy’s eccentric sense of humor and his artistic knowledge. Kennedy is both an old man and a youthful soul enclosed inside one body. In one scene, Kennedy skips around Wesleyan University awaiting an interview with an esteemed professor. In the next scene, he shares thought-provoking opinions.

His prints are not only beautiful, but send strong and sometimes controversial messages.

Many depict humorous phrases

or imaginings that he picks up from his friends or family. His prints span from the sarcastically aggressive, “Fuck you! I’ll fuck myself,” to the racial allusion, “Coffee Makes You Black.” While some phrases, like “Everything is OK,” may be more cliché, the unique imagery he pairs with the phrases made them feel new.

Proceed and Be Bold! originated when Zinger asked a librarian at her university to show her the most interesting book in her collection. The librarian led her to Kennedy’s “artists’ books:” a snake necklace and a whipping stick crafted from pages of significant texts. The whipping stick is formed from shredded pages of the Bible, while the snake necklace is crafted from a collection of sayings intended to be worn around the neck. Zinger was fascinated by the pieces and eventually met Kennedy in person. “I just thought that Amos was so interesting and fun, and I wanted to make a short documentary to get more practice,” Zinger said.

Although the short documentary grew into a longer film, Zinger openly expressed the struggles she faced in bringing the film together. “As a female filmmaker trying to financially make my own films, I have faced everything from sexual harassment to not being taken seriously enough

as a filmmaker to warrant film funding,” Zinger said.

At the same time, Zinger finds filmmaking rewarding. “The most rewarding part is when you are sitting alone in a room in the dark with all of your footage crammed onto the computer in front of you, and you are starting to put your vision into actuality during the editing process.”

Proceed and Be Bold! depicts the concentration and love Kennedy uses to approach his craft and reflects his passions for engaging many different communities through his art. Kennedy gave words of advice to students who attended the film screening.

“This is the last place, this university or college setting, where you will have such diversity in information and knowledge,” Kennedy said. “This is why I tell students at colleges and universities, ‘Take it all.’”

College senior Matt Simon took Kennedy’s words to heart. “I think he has a lot of good advice,” said Simon. “He seems like a very practical person and very unpretentious, which is really nice to see coming from a pretty successful artist.”

Kennedy also had much to say on the subjects of race and class.

In the film, he self-identified as “Colored by birth, Negro by education and Black by choice.” He

also refers to himself as a “humble Negro printer,” which some people have criticized, but the epithet reflects Kennedy’s modest disposition.

Kennedy has been criticized several times because of his controversial views and art. When he taught at Indiana University in the 1980s, he spoke out against anti-affirmative action senti–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

“The most rewarding part is when you are sitting alone in a room in the dark with all of your footage crammed onto the computer in front of you and you are starting to put your vision into actuality during the editing process.”

LAURA ZINGER Director, Producter and Editor, Proceed and Be Bold!

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ment. He also sent members of the administration “NappyRams,” which were postcards decorated with a minstrel figure and catchphrases that criticized college practices. Kennedy continues to

question their practices to this day.

Zinger recalled conversations that occurred after film screenings at different colleges and universities that also highlighted race relations in the U.S. “I remember distinctly Amos standing on stage at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater during the question and answer and saying, ‘If race didn’t exist, America wouldn’t exist,’” Zinger said.

“Amos talks just as much about race as he does about being your own person, your own artist, and he is always encouraging people to go and be the artists that they wish to be.”

In Oberlin, Kennedy shared what he thinks it takes to follow your dreams, saying, “All you have to do is declare yourself as crazy and do what you want!” He also spoke on the nature of failure.

Kennedy said, “You do not fail, but you have experiences. And what you do is that you learn from those experiences. You may not learn what you wanted to learn, but you learn something.”

Toward the end of his talk, Kennedy pulled out a bright green poster with the words, “LIFE You’re not gonna get rich, So you might as well get HAPPY.” The quote on the poster seemed to reflect Kennedy’s values and the life path he has pursued.

Arts

Page 12

The Oberlin Review, September 18, 2015

First-Year Leaders Reorganize Art Rental Kyle Roach At 5:50 p.m. last Friday, I made my way over to the Allen Memorial Art Museum in hopes of getting my hands on a priceless piece of art. The Art Rental program was set to begin at 8 a.m. the following day, and although I had heard murmurs of crazed art enthusiasts already arriving hours before, I figured I was relatively early. This naiveté, I soon discovered, is what separated the Art Rental veterans from imitators such as myself. I snagged an unimpressive 108th spot on the digital waiting list.

The program is an old, beloved and famous tradition at Oberlin, in which College and Conservatory students are al-

A student carries a piece of artwork out of the Allen Memorial Art Museum Saturday morning at the conclusion of Art Rental.

Inclement weather and a new organization system resulted in a less chaotic event than in previous years.

Benjamin Shepherd

lowed to take home works by artists like Renoir, Monet and Picasso for a $5 rental fee. The prominence of the collection prompts art buffs and curious first-years alike to set up camp in the museum’s courtyard sometimes a full 24 hours before the doors open.

Students have come to look forward to the event itself almost as much as seeing the art. In years past they have braved the cold night together in what resembles a sleepover, with campfire songs, chocolate milk and copious blankets.

More recently, however, Art Rental has gained the reputation of descending into chaos each year. Historically, students have decided the method of organization, resulting in disagreements about leadership. In 2012, the “line” deteriorated into an angry mob, with students jostling each other and arguing over their places. In 2014, a student grew dissatisfied with the “rules” and tore down the list of names of people in line to rent, sending the group into heated debate about whether or not to recreate it.

This year, trouble brewed early in the process. In a Facebook post at 1:35 p.m., College senior Madeleine Aquilina wrote, “The list has already been torn down for art rental!

Wahoo!!” In a comment, one hopeful renter attributed the act to “entropy.” Another wrote “EAT THE LIST!” with gleeful sarcasm. Upperclassmen expected the chaos and, strangely, some seemed to revel in it.

This year the inclement weather was also bound to affect the event’s organization. “What will be interesting is the rain,” said Oidie Kuijpers, OC ’15. “It’s really wet already, and I can’t imagine what it will be like overnight. [It] might be a real feat of endurance to get those top pieces.” The courtyard was filled with fewer tents than in years past.

One of those tents was to be the home of College firstyears Jordan Joseph and Eli Roane. According to Joseph, the duo arrived on Friday at noon equipped with a tent and sleeping bags. He thought they were the first to arrive until 20 minutes later, when they heard that the list had already been removed. Some students had arrived as early as 7 a.m.

In a bold move, the two decided to create their own system. “We didn’t know about [the list] and didn’t have any prior knowledge about how the past Art Rentals had worked,” Joseph said. “But we thought the written list, where people just signed up, was pretty unfair to people who had been willing to miss class or miss commitments to camp out for Art Rental.”

The list, in Joseph’s eyes, had to be moved to the digital realm. “We started a new list, and we thought Google Docs would be the best way to do it,” Joseph said. “No one could tamper with it if we set the privacy settings so only we could edit it, and we could add people as they came. We shared it with everyone through their Oberlin email as they got

added to the list.”

The rules were as follows: Students were required to “check in” every two hours after 4 p.m. until 2 a.m., with another check-in at 7 a.m. the following day. Art renters were allowed to miss two of these check-ins, as well as have friends serve as proxies should they be unable to make it.

Joseph and Roane did a simple roll call, and then students left for warmer and drier places.

A memorable check-in occurred at 10 p.m., when pouring rain forced students to huddle together along the edges of the courtyard. Students giggled at the absurdity of it all and tension remained minimal.

Most of the art renters arrived on time the next morning, many cold and groggy. “It actually worked really well,” Joseph said. “We had seniors and juniors come up to us and be like, ‘Yeah, it’s pretty demeaning that freshmen are running Art Rental, but you guys are doing a really good job, so we’re not going to complain.’”

Even experienced art renters conceded that, whether because of the new system or the weather, this year had gone better than others. “I thought the Google Doc was pretty well done and low stress. I liked that they shared people on it so that everything was transparent,” College senior Re––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

“We had seniors and junior come up to us and be like, ‘Yeah, it’s pretty demeaning that freshman are running Art Rental, but you guys are doing a really good job, so we’re not going to complain.’”

JORDAN JOSEPH College first-year –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– becca Orleans said.

The Art Rental program started in 1940 under the direction of Ellen Johnson, art historian and Oberlin professor of 37 years. She began the program with only $600, a much smaller art collection and a hope that the program would educate students in a new way. “It would not only develop [students’] aesthetic sensibilities but might encourage ordered thinking and discrimination even in other areas of their lives,” Johnson wrote in her memoir, Fragments Recalled at Eighty.

Perhaps all the student body needed was a fresh perspective on why we have this program to begin with. While it’s nice to say you have a Matisse on your wall, Johnson wanted students to engage with the art, not the name.

Lineage Twist Keeps Dungeon Hunting Fresh Half Waif Sets Avi Vogel Columnist

Rogue Legacy is a 2D actionplatformer with aspects of the bullet hell and rogue-lite genres that randomly generates dungeons for the player to move through. Although the game seems to be just an amalgamation of popular genres and successful series, developer Cellar Door Games has done more than just borrow elements of these genres — it has taken the time to polish the game and add a unique flavor.

The game follows a knight — or whichever class you choose — who ventures through a castle. Inside, the character comes across monsters that drop money and require varying degrees of strategy to take down, culminating in a huge boss that sprays pellets across the entire screen. If you happen to beat all four bosses, you face the final boss. Then you die — or rather, you will die at some point along that journey, whether you step on a spike or fail to avoid the onslaught of a boss.

Instead of respawning at a checkpoint inside of the castle, Rogue

Legacy features the unorthodox nature of character death.

The first hook of Rogue Legacy comes after you die. You get to choose your descendent — the next person in your bloodline — who you’ll guide through the castle. Each descendent has both major and minor differences that add interesting, game-altering changes. Is your descendent shortsighted? Everything outside a small range becomes blurry, making it more difficult to avoid monsters. Is your descendent suffering from Alzheimer’s? Good luck remembering where you are because your large map will merely display a big question mark. These traits and more — some beneficial and some detrimental — force a different style of play with each descendent.

Although it’s fun, choosing your descendent isn’t the way you grow stronger. Instead, you spend money you’ve racked up from your castle run to build your estate, which allows you to acquire upgrades. Traditional upgrades, such as stronger attacks and more magic, are mixed in with others that are more unique

to Rogue Legacy. These include increasing the chance that a death hit can be reversed, or bartering with Charon, the gatekeeper of the castle, which allows you to keep a little bit of gold instead of having to spend all your leftovers at the entrance. This mix lets players discover different classes

––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Although Rogue Legacy might not be wholly unique, the polished features and fun gameplay make the video game enjoyable to revisit over and over again.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––– and keeps gameplay fresh while allowing more serious players to tailor their characters to their play style. Along with these upgrades, runes and weapons can be found about the castle, either in random chests, special challenge rooms or the very rare but

obvious clown carnival games.

However, all this would not be enough to make Rogue Legacy great if the gameplay in this fast-paced adventure wasn’t responsive enough. Thankfully, gameplay is Rogue Legacy’s most enjoyable facet. Figuring out how to move as quickly as possible while avoiding damage, dodging through walls of blasts and over monsters and figuring out a boss’s weaknesses to beat them five or six descendants later feels immensely satisfying. The monsters’ movement is clear, making damage incurred only the fault of the player, and the purposeful low-resolution graphics make sure almost any machine can run this game fast enough to compensate for the speed and reflexes it demands.

Although Rogue Legacy might not be wholly unique, the polished features and fun gameplay make the video game enjoyable to revisit over and over again.

It’s not always the most original games that stand out; sometimes, all it takes is to do something old excellently.

Friendly Mood at Cat Show

Continued from page 11 to join him in playing the majority of his set list. Levine played four songs with Mellman, including “Poem,” a spoken-word piece written and performed by Feliciano.

Mellman sang and bopped up and down passionately to the beat of his own music. As a one-man band, he impressed with the full, complete sound he created for each song with the aid of his loop pedal and beatboxing.

Mellman pioneered the theme of artist-audience friendship that characterized the rest of the show when he told the crowd, “If you don’t know me, say hi to me after the show … or around campus or something.”

At the end of the show, audience members piled out wof the Cat in the Cream with not only a pleasant musical experience but also five new friends.

Arts

The Oberlin Review, September 18, 2015

Page 13

Multicultural Band Performs Theatrical Show Sam Rueckert Staff Writer On Monday night at the ’Sco, Tal National transformed a shy audience that would barely tap its feet into an enthusiastic crowd dancing to the group’s energetic sound. The six-member band from Niger that became well-known through its television presence is now on tour in the U.S. for the first time.

Throughout the night, the band showcased its culturally eclectic music. The guitarist explained that there are eight main ethnic groups in Niger, and most of those groups were represented in the band. The first song began with the guitarist playing a simple, bluesy riff, the rest of the band joining him in a composition that included a mixture of jazz, rock and West African mu-

sic. The melody of the guitar riffs and its bass counterpart bore a sonic resemblance to jazz fusion; the instrumentation largely resembled a rock band, featuring guitar, bass, vocals and drum kit, and the guitarist sported a Fender Telecaster, a well-known American guitar brand. But the band certainly didn’t stick to this model, also including a percussionist who played a talking

Tal National, a band from Niger, gives an exuberant performance at the ’Sco. The group played an eclectic set of songs influenced by jazz, rock and West African music.

Aaron Cohen

drum, a West African instrument with adjustable pitch, and a dancer who showcased traditional moves.

One remarkable aspect of Tal National’s performance was that its songs were structurally dynamic, separating them from many rock and jazz songs that follow a formulaic structure.

While the pieces certainly contained recurring lyrics and motifs, they continuously developed and expanded on musical ideas presented previously. Additionally, the songs were open in form and allowed the band members’ freedom to let loose.

The drummer often played rapid 12/8 rhythms, giving the music a hypnotic feel. Some complex polyrhythms may have been unfamiliar to audience members who were more acquainted with Eurocentric music, however, the dancer’s performance served as a reference point for the audience so that they could feel the beat.

As guitarist Hamadal Issoufou Moumine said in an interview in Seattle with radio station KEXP, “Anybody can understand our music, everyone can understand our language.”

Moumine, who has founded several other groups at home in Niger, balances a full-time job as a judge, as well as teaching theater and music at a local orphan-

age, with playing in Tal National.

Whenever Moumine took a solo during the performance, he took his time and inserted himself into the moment, even stepping into the audience at one point. At another memorable moment, each band member put down their instrument, with the exception of the kit player, and danced. The guitarist prefaced one song by explaining that it was about the dry season in Niger and that through the song they wished to channel a rain spirit. The band hoped the audience would also feel the spirit.

They completed the song by handing the dancer a cup of water because she had “fallen” due to drought.

The band energized the crowd by bobbing side to side in sync with the beat and cheering after solos. With the dancer inviting students onstage to join her in dance and the guitarist lifting his guitar in the air during a solo, Tal National successfully involved the audience in the performance.

The band concluded by joining the crowd at the bar, leaving only the drummer onstage to solo while the guitarist slowly removed the pieces of his kit.

The drummer closed the performance with only a kick drum and a pair of sticks, leaving the audience entranced.

Soprano Delivers Heartfelt, Varied Performance Colin Roshak Staff Writer

from Gross’ effectual color changes and unrelenting musicality. The highest registers of the songs had a light, airy quality. Although Gross doesn’t have the most powerful voice, she balanced sensitively with the piano. After the first of the Poulenc songs came three more, each with a different character. The second was much

I’ve reviewed a fair number of concerts during my time at Oberlin, but not one has left me as inspired and touched as I was this past week. Soprano Anne Gross graduated from Oberlin Conservatory in 1986; since then, she has traveled ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– and performed around the world. Pianist From the dramatic opening lines Thomas Bandy, an opera and vocal coach at the Conservatory, joined Gross to give of the first song, Gross retained the most riveting and intimate recital in the audience’s unwavering atrecent memory. tention, filling the hall with her The program was fairly standard; Gross sang five sets of four songs, each in a dif- infectious personality and warm ferent language. Standard, however, did tone. not mean unremarkable in this case.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Gross began with a French set by Francis Poulenc. From the dramatic opening more lively, while the third, “Air Graves,” lines of the first song, Gross retained the had a melodramatic feel. The set concludaudience’s unwavering attention, filling ed with a fleeting last song in which Gross the hall with her infectious personality demonstrated the remarkable flexibility and warm tone. The translations of the and agility of her voice. text were appreciated but hardly necesThe next set of songs was by the Norsary, as the drama of the music was clear wegian composer Edvard Grieg. Each of

the four songs was lyrical and expressive with clear influences from folk music, which Grieg often incorporated into his music. Up to this point, Bandy had played well but with little subtlety and nuance.

However, after hearing the intensity and expressiveness in Gross’ voice, it must have been impossible not to rise to meet her. In the second song, “Foraarsregn,” Bandy responded to Gross’ conviction by gently balancing long, floating piano lines against a very lyrical setting of the text.

The third set was a more contemporary English set by Jake Heggie. Gross is known for her wit and humor on stage, and both of those qualities shone here. The four songs, which were selections from a larger set titled Eve-Song, were filled with sensual imagery and a complex harmonic language. Gross acted the part flawlessly, bringing out the non-sequiturial humor and lighthearted moments in the music while maintaining excellent intonation.

The set was a stark contrast to the two previous sets, which were more romantic.

The music had moments that sounded as though they had been taken directly from

Sadako Marks 70th Anniversary of Hiroshima Continued from page 10 matter where they came from,” she said. “People-topeople connections are powerful, especially when our governments are at odds.”

Sherif also incorporated lessons and assignments relating to Sadako’s story, Watanabe’s stay at Oberlin and the Hiroshima bombing in general in her classes to help raise awareness of the exhibit and associated events.

“We had not done any activities in Japanese class about that subject before,” said College sophomore Drew Hassenstein, who takes Intermediate Japanese I with Sherif and attended several events related to the

Sadako exhibit. “In fact, I’m pretty sure we hadn’t discussed the war or the bombing at all last year [in Elementary Japanese]. … We had to read and translate a number of packets about Watanabe-san as well as about the trees the first week of school. We also had to look at Japanese websites online about preserving the peace. … I saw the ceremony where Watanabe-san watered the tree with our Japanese class.”

Thanks to teachers incorporating the subject into their curricula, the FAVA exhibit and the hibakujumoku saplings Watanabe contributed, Sadako’s legacy is sure to remain a strong presence at Oberlin for the months to come.

a Broadway musical. Notable was Gross’ impeccable diction; it’s often difficult to understand operatic singers because of the technique required, but not a single word was lost throughout all four songs of the English set.

The last two sets moved along in a similar way. The audience was captivated, and Gross remained content to express the music through the transcendent beauty and clarity of her voice rather than with distasteful overacting. The final German set was especially eloquent. Gross never short-changed a phrase or missed an opportunity for expression. In a way, ending with the German was the perfect way to go. It was a heartfelt farewell.

Gross took advantage of the enthusiastic applause to treat the audience to a short and unforgettable encore. The encore was in English and contained personal shout-outs to Gross’ teachers during her time at Oberlin. The short piece was filled with humor and excellent acting, closing the evening with a performance as commanding and enjoyable as the rest of the concert.

Sports

Page 14

The Oberlin Review, September 18, 2015

IN THE LOCKER ROOM

MEN’S FOOTBALL

This week, the Review sat down with sophomore defensive back Bennett Jackson and junior linebacker Justin Bute to discuss their first win on the new Dick Bailey Field, personal pump-up routines and the changing culture of the Oberlin football program.

BJ: The most important thing is that the whole defense and our whole team trust our coach. Our defense hasn’t changed; we’ve been consistent. We just try to do the same thing week in and week out, and we just have to go out and play football no matter what happens.

Can you describe the atmosphere between your team and the stands at the end of the Kenyon game?

Bennett Jackson: It was really awesome knowing how hard we worked last year and this year and having it come out on the field — especially doing it for the fans.

Justin Bute: That was really one of the most important things, finally being able to [win] in front of everyone. Last year both our wins came on the road, so we could tell people about them, but it was nothing people got to see directly. And after opening up the year with that tough loss against Brockport, it was nice to come out against a rival and show how many steps forward we’re actually taking with the program.

BJ: The fans were definitely waiting for it. It got crazy at the end of the game.

JB: It was definitely a crazy environment — a high energy, wonderful environment.

Is this game indicative of progress towards goals you’ve mentioned? Is it setting a good tone for the season?

BJ: We’re finally starting to change the culture around here, I think. And getting a win on our field is another step in the right direction. I think the fans are going to show more support now too. The culture is definitely changing.

JB: Saturday was just another positive step. ... I think, going back to last year’s spring camp and fall camp, we’ve been making progress and taking steps forward every day.

After earning that win on Saturday, our progress is finally going to start showing up for everyone to see.

They’ll see that we are here to get better, and that we’re here to make some noise, and we’re capable of what we’ve set out to do.

Was the team’s mentality any different before this game? Could you taste the win coming?

JB: Our biggest thing is one week at a time, one team at a time — we knew we could do it, and we also knew there were bigger stipulations just because it was Kenyon, and it was a rivalry game, so it held a bit more importance. Going into it we definitely knew that we needed to be ready and mentally focused, and the opportunity to have our first win in the stadium was something we just didn’t want to let pass by.

Do you have any special personal pump-up routines?

Justin Bute (left) and Bennett Jackson JB: In high school, there was a song by Metallica called “Enter Sandman” that we would always listen to in order to get pumped up, so I always keep that in my routine right before we go out.

BJ: We would always watch a motivational speech [in high school] by Al Pacino from Any Given Sunday, and so like an hour before the game I’ll go out on the field by myself and listen to that and isolate myself.

Defensively, what do you think worked for you guys this game?

BJ: The whole goal for this game was to try to keep it simple — not to confuse ourselves, not to try to do too much. We knew if we came out and did our stuff we’d be able to hold them. We made some errors and mistakes in the end, but we ended up holding strong with “bend, don’t break” defense.

JB: We also really trusted each other. That’s one of the biggest things we preached in the offseason — not only trusting each other but

also trusting the coaching, holding the belief that whatever the coaches have us do or wherever they have us put, we’re going to be successful.

Definitely when that fourth quarter came around, we just stuck together as a unit even when things may not have gone our way. We really kept it close; that was the key.

Are there any personal game highlights that you’re really proud of?

JB: Just winning. There were a lot of key plays that guys made, but in the end we won, and no matter what happens, that’s always the goal.

BJ: I agree. But in that last play of the game, when I knocked down that pass, it was just really good to know [the game] was over.

What is the most important part of your personal defensive games?

JB: Doing what we can to make sure the team is successful. That means having trust in each other,

the guys behind us and in front of us. We need to trust that they’re going to do their job and they trust that we’re going to do our job. Generally, making sure that we’re in the position to make others successful as well.

BJ: For me personally, it’s putting in the hours during the week so I know my assignment and what I’m doing come game time. That way before the snap of the ball, I know what my job is, and once it snaps I can just play football.

How have the new coaching staff changes affected you and your training?

JB: Our head coach, who’s the only consistent guy we’ve had in the past couple years, has preached that no matter what coaches come or what coaches go, we’re doing the best that we possibly can with whatever we’re given and taught.

We just have to go out and do our jobs, because at the end of the day we’re the ones out on the field playing the games.

Stevie Satisfies Appetites, Treats Ailments Isabel Hulkower Columnist Hello Oberlin, and welcome to a fresh new school year chock-full of delight and intrigue. We are currently in the ephemeral time where classes have started but it’s not yet so cold that the only option is “Netflix and chill.” Now is the moment to soak up some sunlight, swim in the Arboretum or maybe even toss some sort of disc if that’s your area of expertise. However, with all this excitement, you might have forgotten about the inherent dangers of all this physical activity. Rest assured, friends, it’s still on my mind. So, in the spirit of “doing it yourself,” I’ve compiled some dorm-room remedies to common outdoor ailments.

And for maximum accessibility, every treatment can be made exclusively from things you can find at Stevenson. That’s right, the solutions to all of your low-key medical problems are just a swipe away.

If you love being outside but you’re freaked out by sunscreen — which I totally get — then a big splotchy sunburn is inevitable. If you end up getting a little crispy, don’t worry; just head straight for some dairy products. The lactic acid in milk can help ease inflammation and break up dead

skin cells. If you’re down, the best way to use it is to fill a bowl with milk, then add ice to heighten the chill effect. Dip a cloth into the mixture and apply it to the burn for about 10 minutes. Alternatively you can do something a little sloppier and reach for some yogurt. Plain unsweetened yogurt is full of probiotics that help rebuild damaged skin, so if Stevie actually has it in stock, it can be a great asset. On the day of the sun exposure, smear it right onto the burn and let it sit for 10 minutes before wiping it off, then repeat twice more as the day goes on. Using dairy should kickstart the road to recovery, unless you are a serious vegan, in which case I highly recommend some aloe vera.

Another hazard of the season is all of the bugs buzzing and crawling around everywhere. Bug bites come in all shapes, sizes and unmentionable locations, but every last one of them needs to be neutralized immediately. The salad cart holds the key to abating your pain, because a raw onion is a very popular old-timey remedy.

Find the juiciest slice in the bowl, tape it onto the bite and wait for the sulfur to neutralize the itch. There are also many people who use honey to ease the discomfort of bug bites; it is anti-inflammatory

and anti-bacterial, plus the stickiness will discourage you from scratching. When it’s available at the salad cart, some apple cider vinegar is good for almost anything, and bites are certainly not immune to its magical powers. Just dip a cotton ball in a diluted mixture — about half vinegar and half water — then hold it on the affected area. To be honest though, the best remedy is probably already in your arsenal. Some natural mint toothpaste is about as good as it gets for soothing your irritated skin.

Additionally, the Arb has lots of great stuff, but while you’re looking for it, you’re bound to run into poison ivy. When you notice that you have developed a rash, grab some cucumbers and apply them to the affected area to soothe it right up. Otherwise, get your hands on a banana peel or watermelon rind for their cooling properties. On the go, a black or green tea bag will do the trick; just moisten it and place it on the skin while the tannic acid relieves itching and contracts inflamed tissues.

Each of these ailments will eventually go away in time, but these little tricks should have you healing in style. Remember: Stevie truly is the cure for what ails you.

How did you guys celebrate?

JB: We just embraced it with each other and came together as a team. We began this year with the mindset of trying to turn this program around. There have been great players and coaches who have come through here who haven’t seen the success that their efforts should have shown. The biggest thing is we’re trying to get that flipped and change the perspective on our program for our opponents, the conference and the College here.

BJ: It was a long time coming.

We put in the hard work together, we won together and we celebrated our success as a team.

Interview by Sarena Malsin, Sports editor Photo by Benjamin Shepherd

Kenyon Win Christens Bailey Field Continued from page 16 checking in with 12 stops.

The Oberlin secondary was reliable down the stretch as well, providing game-changing sparks for the team. Junior safety Larry Leggett and senior safety Tim Kondo each recorded eight tackles in the game.

Kondo, a Union City, CA, native, praised the level of play that the defense displayed on Saturday.

“We came together as a team and overcame adversity,” Kondo said. “It was a great team win and great team effort.”

The Yeomen’s next opponent will be the Denison University Big Red this Saturday night. The Big Red are currently 1–0 on the year and are coming off of a hard-won 38–24 victory against The College of Wooster.

Coach Anderson asserted that it will be imperative for the Yeomen to execute on both sides of the ball in order to beat their upcoming opponent.

“We have to be able to stop their run and eliminate the explosive plays,” Anderson said.

Oberlin has not defeated Denison since 2012 when they dominated the Big Red in front of their home crowd, 30–6.

Kickoff in Granville, OH, is slated for 7 p.m. this Saturday.

Sports

The Oberlin Review, September 18, 2015

Page 15

— Cross Country —

Wolverines Outlast Yeomen

Oberlin Dominates at Kenyon Meet

Continued from page 16

Alejandro Wright

New also said that the upperclassmenheavy team, boasting six seniors and six juniors, lends added experience and leadership on the field.

According to Naiman and Ingham, the Yeomen’s roster is not only stronger but also more cohesive and levelheaded.

“We have a better mentality than we did in the past,” Ingham said. “We are levelheaded, especially emotionally. We have also been more unified since the beginning; that has helped us stay together and keep the correct mindset.”

Naiman said that Wednesday afternoon’s results highlight the team’s focus on resiliency during preseason training.

The loss does not dampen the team’s confidence in their improvement, nor does it overshadow the dynamic success the Yeomen have seen on their home turf recently. They commanded a dominating shutout against the Waynesburg Yellow Jackets 8–0 on Friday, Sept. 11 and secured an early lead against the Earlham College Quakers, leading to a 4–1 win, on Sunday.

Both wins were sparked from early offensive control from Oberlin. Ingham opened the scoring against both teams, capitalizing on a foul against the Yellow Jackets and sinking a penalty kick just over three minutes into the game, as well as finding the upper 90 of Quaker keeper Nicola Manni’s goal in the second minute of the Yeomen’s Sunday match.

For the duration of both games, the Yeomen set an aggressive and fast-paced tone they did not allow their opponents to match, never once dropping their leads.

Sophomore forward Timothy Williams also made significant offensive contributions, adding three total goals to his record: one on Friday and two on Sunday.

The Yeomen now face the Medaille College Mavericks at home, slated for a 2 p.m. kickoff this Sunday, Sept. 20.

The College’s cross country teams traveled to Gambier, Ohio, for the North Coast Athletic Conference Preview cross country meet last weekend. Both teams showed impressive performances on the course that will host the 2015 NCAC Cross Country Championships.

The Yeowomen placed second behind the University of Mount Union, racking up 51 points overall to UMU’s 61. This commanding performance was lead by senior Sarel Loewus, who dominated the five-kilometer course with a time of 18 minutes and 58 seconds. This race also earned her NCAC Runner of the Week honors.

Loewus crossed the finish line shortly before senior Sarah Urso, who came in at 19:20 and finished fifth overall in the women’s race. Junior Emily Curley, finishing in 11th place with 19:55, sophomore Peyton Boughton, securing 20th place at 20:22, and firstyear Vanessa LoChirco in 24th place at 20:33 also crowded the front of the pack.

The Yeomen had a strong showing as well, winning the meet in a blowout fashion. All five of Oberlin’s scoring runners finished with times in the top 10, including senior co-captain Geno Arthur, who outpaced the rest of the competition by over 30 seconds with a time of 15 minutes and 37 seconds.

Overall, the Yeomen scored 23 points, which amounted to 70 points ahead of the second-place finisher of the day, Denison University. This effort was helped by first-year Grant Sheely, who placed third with a time 16:12, as well as a tight pack of Oberlin runners close behind him, including junior E.J. Douglas at 16:20, senior Sam CoatesFinke at 16:21 and senior Joshua Urso at 16:21. They finished fifth, sixth and eighth place in the meet, respectively.

Head Cross Country Coach Ray Appenheimer said he is looking forward to a great season while making sure to enjoy the success of the moment.

“I have been really encouraged and pleased with the way [these teams] have been performing,” he said.

Both teams enjoyed significant success in their first NCAC meet, but their work for the season is just beginning.

“The workouts are going to get tougher, and the competition is going to get better as we go on,” Appenheimer said.

Loewus, recognizing the difficulties of the rising stakes of competition, expressed confidence in her team’s training and focus to rise to the challenge.

“The meets will be getting progressively more competitive, but there is no doubt in my mind that if we keep doing what we’re doing, and pay attention to all the details, we will be ready,” she said.

The teams are welcoming many returning runners this year, displaying a wide scope of talent across the squad.

High placements from LoChirco and –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

“The meets will be getting progressively more competitive, but there is no doubt in my mind that if we keep doing what we’re doing, and pay attention to all the details, we will be ready.”

SAREL LOEWUS Senior Cross Country Runner ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Sheely indicate that the team’s new recruits have a lot to contribute as well.

Curley said that the team’s depth will help them in the future.

“We have so many strong runners,”

Feature Photo: Soccer Standout

Senior forward John Ingham makes space for himself to line up a shot. Ingham was named NSCAA National Player of the Week on Tuesday, singling him out for outstanding play across the entire NCAA Division III League. Ingham was also named North Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week, ranking second in the Conference this season with six goals. The men’s soccer team is currently 4–2; their next game is at home against the Medaille College Mavericks this Sunday at 2 p.m.

Simeon Deutsch

she said. “If we can all push to work together and move up to other teammates, I think that will really give our team an edge this year.”

The focus for both teams is on staying healthy and working hard for the rest of the season. According to Douglas, both teams are dedicated to achieving their goals through personal improvement.

“Personally, I could improve on staying mentally focused during the race, but I am really working to make the team better,” Douglas said.

The Yeomen and Yeowomen will be back in action this Saturday, when they travel to Rochester, NY, for the Yellow Jacket Invitational at the University of Rochester.

Editorial: Officials Unfair Targets Continued from page 15 timately die from subsequent internal head injuries. In 2014 a Michigan referee died after being struck in the face by a player in a competitive men’s soccer league.

While I have had my fair share of frustration with bad officials in the past, I have neither come close to physically harming any of them, nor have I ever felt the desire to do so.

Granted, my past athletic career is checkered with yellow cards and technical fouls for arguing with refs whom, to this day, I still consider horrible officiators. But even I can acknowledge that there is a fine line between yelling in a referee’s face and running into him at full speed from behind.

Undoubtedly, if the referee in question did make racist remarks to the two John Jay players, then this whole incident would be a completely different story. 84 percent of John Jay is Hispanic and nearly 67 percent of the students come from disadvantaged economic backgrounds, so it would come as no surprise that emotions were running high if refs were dropping racial slurs left and right.

However, we will never know for certain. The only facts available are the video of the premeditated tackles and the reports of a John Jay assistant coach saying “this guy needs to pay for cheating us,” directly before the incident.

Considering that most officials sacrifice their time to officiate, make next to nothing and are driven purely by their love of the game, it is important to recognize that the stigma of bad refs being evil or vindictive is largely inaccurate. Additionally, it is unfair to the majority of good officials who work their hearts out to ensure that games are played fairly and correctly.

Whatever the case may be, what is most important is that sporting events remain safe for all participants: players, coaches and refs alike.

From my past experiences, there are two things that I have come to accept are plainly out of my control on game day: the weather and the officiating.

I can’t promise to never get another technical foul or yellow card for voicing my disagreement with certain officials, but I can solemnly swear never to cause them any physical harm — an oath that all athletes should strictly adhere to.

Sports The Oberlin Review

Page 16

September 18, 2015

— Football —

Yeomen Stave off Lords to Defend Home Turf Leave Refs Darren Zaslau Staff Writer Thundering cheers erupted from the home stands, drowning out the referee’s final whistle during Oberlin’s 28–24 triumph over Kenyon College Saturday night. In defeating the Lords, the Yeomen didn’t just secure their first win of the season — they made history.

The match marked the first time the football program recorded a victory

on the new Dick Bailey Field, completed only last year as part of the Austin E. Knowlton Athletics Complex.

Backed by the efforts of senior running back Black Buckhannon, who rushed for a career-high 153 yards with one touchdown, the Yeomen advanced their record to 1–1 overall and 1–0 in the North Coast Athletic Conference. The win also marked the second season in a row where Oberlin defeated Kenyon.

The constant rain and wind chill may have been the true opponents of both teams, as both passing offenses struggled. Senior quarterback Lucas Poggiali completed seven of fifteen passes for 91 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Poggiali’s lone touchdown pass was a 32-yarder to junior wide receiver Justin Cruz, who made his second touchdown of the season.

Despite the weather,

Sophomore tight end Chris Mueller reaches to snag a conversion pass. The Yeomen defeated the Kenyon College Lords 28–24 last Saturday, marking the program’s first-ever win on Bailey Field.

Benjamin Shepherd

the Yeomen saw a large turnout of fans ready to steel themselves against the cold and damp. Head Coach Jay Anderson felt that the enthusiasm of Obie spectators sparked the team with added motivation against their rivals.

“It was awesome to see so many people out there cheering for us,” Anderson said. “We definitely fed off of the energy.”

Both teams’ offenses avoided aerial play due to the inclement weather. The result was more work for Buckhannon, who wove himself through the holes that Oberlin’s offensive line made in Kenyon’s defense.

Buckhannon, who was named this week’s NCAC Offensive Player of the Week, attributed the Yeomen’s success to the effort of their offense.

“They were opening up lanes for me all night,” Buckhannon said. “They deserve just as much credit as I do.”

Oberlin rushers were breaking down the Lord’s defense across the entire offensive line. Senior running back Justin Williams rushed eight times for 47 yards and running back Khalil Rivers ran for

36 yards on six attempts while also earning his first touchdown of the year.

Poggiali also recorded 24 yards on the ground, and speedy sophomore quarterback Christian Flynn ran for 12 yards.

“It’s really just a matter of time before we are going to explode and show some people what this offense is really capable of,” Buckhannon said.

According to Coach Anderson, the rushing attack was the backbone of the offense and an important factor in dictating the tempo of the game.

“In order to be effective, you have to be able to run the rock and control the clock,” Anderson said.

The offense wasn’t the only bright spot for the victorious Yeomen — the defense also came up with many huge stops to stymie the Lords.

Senior linebacker Justin Bute had a career-high performance, recording 15 tackles and scoring a spot on the the d3football.com Team of the Week. Additionally, sophomore defensive back Bennett Jackson had a tremendous game, See Kenyon, page 14

— Men’s Soccer —

Final Whistle Cuts Yeomen Comeback Short Sarena Malsin Sports Editor The men’s soccer team ended its three-game winning streak against the Grove City College Wolverines this Wednesday, suffering a 4–3 defeat in its opponent’s hometown of Grove City, PA. Oberlin’s defense buckled down quickly, successfully fending off a barrage of offensive attempts from Grove City early in the first half. First-year keeper Koryn Kraemer made a quick series of three saves before allowing a goal

by Grove City senior forward Seth Loew in the 20th minute.

The Yeomen were quick to return the offensive pressure, though, forcing play into the Wolverine’s defensive half for the remainder of the period. Senior forward John Ingham stifled a defensive clearance, leaving the game tied at the halftime whistle.

The Wolverines came out of the locker room hungry for a lead in the second half, finding the back of the net within the first two minutes. Despite a series of Yeomen attacks headed by Ingham, sophomore midfielder Jonah BlumeKemkes and junior forward Sam

Weiss, Grove City’s offense netted three more consecutive goals.

Senior midfielder Louis Naiman thought the Wolverines caught the Yeomen off-guard, and that not every recorded shot by Grove City merited a tally on the scorecard.

“We didn’t do a good job of adjusting defensively to their attack and gave up some poor goals,” he said.

The Yeomen reflected Naiman’s frustration at the mid-game allowances. Not allowing their opponents any recovery time, Oberlin countered Grove City’s three-goal lead with their second goal in the 81st minute as sopho-

left in the contest and a chip on its shoulder, the team overpowered the Wolverines’ defense again, with Naiman notching another shot past Grove City keeper Ben Weaver.

Unfortunately, despite powerful efforts late in the game, the squad ran out of time to even the score.

“We did well to fight back from 4–1 down and gave ourselves an opportunity to tie the game with 30 seconds left,” Naiman said, referencing a high shot by Ingham.

“Unfortunately, we dug too big of a hole for ourselves.”

Head Men’s Soccer Coach Blake New substituted freely throughout the game, demonstrating his confidence in the breadth of talent on his roster.

“We’ve now played at least five or six guys to cover for injuries,” he said. “We’ve put them in and they’ve been able to keep [our momentum] going, which probably wouldn’t have happened last year.”

See Wolverines, page 15

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Randy Ollie Sports Editor Anyone who has ever competed in a sporting event with a referee knows that bad officiating can greatly affect the outcome of the game. Admittedly, sometimes a referee’s incompetence can turn out in your team’s favor, whether they are making incorrect calls against opposing players or failing to enforce the rules properly against your own team.

However, more often than not, a bad official is detrimental to both teams as well as to the game as a whole.

The John Jay High School football incident represents the most recent contentious issue in organized sports, in which a referee was violently targeted by two high school football players. The video of the incident — which has since gone viral and accrued over nine million views — clearly shows two John Jay players deliberately tackling an unsuspecting official from behind, continuing the assault even after he fell to the ground.

The question of blame has consistently arisen amidst accusations of racial provocations and officiating so poor that it was considered cheating for the other team.

The coaches, players and culture of John Jay High School are all under fire, a consequence of the growing concern for the safety of officials.

While physical playerofficial altercations rarely occur, the handful of exceptions have left many officials severely injured, and in some cases the result has been fatal. For example, in 2013 a 17-yearold soccer player punched an official in the face after receiving a yellow card, causing the referee to ulSee Editorial, page 15

“We didn’t do a good job of adjusting defensively to their attack and gave up some poor goals.”

LOUIS NAIMAN Senior Midfielder –––––––––––––––––––––––––– more defender Jesse Lauritsen capitalized on a cross from junior forward Dan Lev. With fewer than three minutes

Alone

Sophomore forward Timothy Williams attempts a tackle at midfield against the Quakers of Earlham College. The men’s soccer team beat Earlham 4-1 and is currently 4–2 this Season Juliette Greene