December 9, 2016 by The Oberlin Review

The Oberlin Review

DECEMBER 9, 2016 VOLUME 145, NUMBER 12

Local News Bulletin News briefs from the past week Police Discuss Shoplifting With Store Owners In response to alleged shoplifting and student protests surrounding Gibson’s Bakery in early November, Oberlin Police Chief Juan Torres met with the Oberlin Business Partnership, an association of local merchants, Tuesday to discuss ways to reduce shoplifting. According to the News Tribune, Torres recommended that store employees not approach shoplifters, as it could cause them to get hurt and the store to “end up with a week of protests.” City Council Signs Talarico to Contract With new City Manager Rob Hillard starting his job this week, councilmembers are hoping former Interim City Manager Sal Talarico will stay as financial manager despite getting passed over for city manager. As an incentive, City Council signed Talarico to a contract at Monday’s council meeting. Previously, city manager was the only municipal job that came with a contract, demonstrating Council’s desire to keep Talarico. Ohio Legislature Mulls Over Abortion Ban Ohio’s Legislature passed a bill Wednesday known as the “Heartbeat Bill” that, if passed, would ban abortion after a fetus’ heartbeat can be heard in the womb, which is usually within six weeks of conception. Now that it has passed the Republicandominated State House and Senate, all that is left is for Republican Governor John Kasich to approve or veto the bill. Kasich has eight days to veto the bill if he chooses to do so.

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Council Adds Parking Spots in 2017 Budget Louis Krauss News Editor City Council passed its 2017 budget at its meeting Monday evening, outlining which public works projects the city hopes to undertake. Monday’s meeting was a quick formality to pass the final budget, but the council and various municipal city workers spent around 10 hours over two meetings last week to create a final draft. In recent years, the priciest and most involved projects have been rebuilding roads. This budget cycle, the council targeted East College Street, which has been littered with cracks and potholes from the Peter B. Lewis Gateway Center’s ongoing construction. The project will cost the city $508,450, nearly

half of which comes from a federal grant from the Ohio Public Works Commission. According to Oberlin Public Works Director Jeff Baumann, the city will also be building six parallel parking spots into the lawn of Shansi House along the north curb of East College Street. Bauman said the College is helping plan the parking area. Councilmember Bryan Burgess added that this will not be a formal parking lot, but rather an open space built into the curb and sidewalk. Since construction began on the new hotel, storeowners have raised concerns that reduced parking space hurts local businesses trying to attract customers. India Garden employee Nitin Bhutani said he liked the sound of increased parking spaces, as it would make access to the restaurant easier.

City Council members approve the 2017 budget Monday. Budget plans include the addition of six parking spaces on East College Street across from India Garden. Photo by Byran Rubin, Photo editor

Trustees Decline to Add Student Representative Oliver Bok News Editor Student Senate’s dream of having a student representative at Board of Trustees meetings may have ended Tuesday after trustees rejected the group’s proposal. “The board very much values engagement with students, and we believe Oberlin can be strengthened by all of us understanding better all the various roles and responsibilities involved in institutional governance,” the trustees wrote in an email to Senate. “For a number of reasons, the board is not, at this point, prepared to have student representatives at its full board meetings. But we do very much want to understand and, if possible, address the variety of underlying issues raised in the May letter.” Still, many student activists said they felt hopeful because of the board’s apparent willingness to engage in a conversation about strengthening communication between students and trustees. The

board met with Student Senate in private on Thursday to discuss campus issues, including student representation and to plan a Senate-board retreat next semester. Notably, for the first time in years, the board is not running a student-trustee forum during its on-campus meeting this weekend. Former Student Senate Liaison and double-degree senior Jeremy Poe, who wrote the letter to the board requesting student representatives last spring, said the board’s response did not come as a surprise. “We’re suggesting something outside of their comfort zone,” Poe said. “Our job is then to confront that uncomfortability, explore it, ask why and then say: ‘We're uncomfortable not having student reps,’ and then say, ‘Let's figure this out.’” College junior and Student Senator Jesse Docter said he was “disappointed” with the board’s decision. “I think that there’s no replacement for having direct student representation on the Board of Trustees,”

Diggers at the Philips gym expansion site lie idle Thursday. Student activists pushing for student representatives on the board hope that future capital planning decisions will account for student input. Photo by Bryan Rubin, Photo editor

Docter said. “The larger problem is that there needs to be direct accountability and communication between the Board of Trustees and students. We’ve illustrated how the board has made decisions that have been poorly informed — they haven't had direct lines of communication with the stu-

Rookie Records

County Cutbacks Lorain County commissioners decided against increasing the county’s sales tax, and will now have to make deep budget cuts. See page 4

“That would be really helpful to the businesses on this side of town because a lot of customers say it’s hard to find parking,” Bhutani said. “Sometimes they say they have to walk half a mile, and with winter coming. that’s really something we’d like to fix. We would really benefit from that.” Baumann said that East College Street construction would begin around August, when the Hotel’s construction will likely be completed. Other major projects in the budget include finishing repaving Morgan Street from Cedar Street to Colony Drive, which will cost $632,578. the council was unable to finish this project in 2016 due to insufficient funds. Aside from the street projects, most other items on the budget are concerned with replacing and updating aging resources such as sewer systems, electrical equipment and sidewalks. Funding for these projects and replacements comes from a combination of the city’s 2.5-percent income tax and federal grants. Although last week’s budget discussions lasted more than five hours each, Finance Director and former Interim City Manager Sal Talarico said City Council is usually in agreement on the annual budget. “Council always asks good questions about why certain projects are needed, but they don’t even need to ask because our public works and electric directors do such a good job explaining the importance of their projects,” Talarico said. Monday marked the first day on the job for new City Manager Rob Hillard, with Talarico returning to the finance director spot he has held since 2000. “I’m happy to serve Oberlin,” Talarico said. “Whether it’s in the city manager spot or in the financial manager office, I’m happy to serve.”

First-year swimmers Michael Lin and Devyn Malouf have already set school records and logged personal bests this season.

Food for Thought The Feve served Nepali food Tuesday to help schools in Nepal See page 13

INDEX:

Opinions 5

This Week in Oberlin 8

See page 14

Arts 10

Sports 16

dent body.” Poe said he sees the issue as a way of placing students as political actors in the community as opposed to passive consumers. He also declined to comment on anything regarding See Board, page 2

on the

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Krislov Outlines College Sanctuary Policies Melissa Harris Production Editor President Marvin Krislov detailed how the College plans to serve its undocumented students in an email sent to students, faculty and staff last Thursday. The announcement follows efforts to make the College a sanctuary campus in anticipation of President-elect Donald Trump enacting draconian immigration-law reforms. “I have been inspired by this movement,” Krislov wrote. “I honor and recognize the students who have chosen to bring their talents to Oberlin. We will do everything we can to support you as cherished members of our community, in keeping with our fundamental values as an institution.” Krislov also announced that he recently signed the “Statement in Support for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program and our Undocumented Immigrant Students,” a statement drafted by David Oxtoby, president of Pomona College. Hundreds of college and university presidents from both private and public colleges signed the statement in solidarity. In light of Trump’s threats to eliminate DACA, increase immigration enforcement and cut federal funding to sanctuary cities, which limit what federal authorities know about their undocumented citizens, schools around the country have jumped

on the sanctuary campus bandwagon in resistance. Krislov’s statement included three steps that the College will take to protect the undocumented community. The first is to admit qualified students regardless of immigration status, while providing financial aid to those students. The statement also committed to refraining from releasing information about immigration status to government agents or allowing them to access campus without a warrant. The statement also promised to identify “resources to promote the successes of all students — including undocumented students.” These resources include referrals to legal experts, transportation assistance, and the guidance and support of the Dean of Students Office and the Multicultural Resource Center. “It’s just pretty amazing to finally see a result,” said Zurisaday Gutierrez-Avila, College junior and Obies for Undocumented Inclusion co-chair, after Krislov’s announcement. “It’s encouraging to see how Oberlin can come together. I’m pretty satisfied with the statement and I know many people are as well.” While Krislov voiced support for the sanctuary campus movement, he did not state that the College would officially be a “sanctuary campus.” “I think it’s necessary to protect undocumented students in whatever ways we can,” College junior Sam Spaccasi said. “That said, I understand why the

administration hasn’t formally made an announcement. Under a Trump regime, it may very well be that if we declare ourselves a sanctuary campus, there could be nasty repercussions from Trump's administration, which would make it harder to protect vulnerable students. I think it’s an issue that needs to be carefully considered, but if it came down to the wire, I would hope that Oberlin makes the choice to become an [official] sanctuary campus.” Professor of Comparative American Studies and History Shelley Lee said Krislov’s email came out of a series of three key meetings. She and fellow Comparative American Studies Professor Gina Pérez proposed the first meeting right before November’s presidential election out of initial concern for Oberlin’s undocumented community. Although deportation is the main concern for undocumented people, Lee also thinks the College should be aware of the potential for students and professors in science departments to lose Pell and National Science Foundation Grants. Lee and Perez drafted the original petition to make Oberlin a sanctuary campus, along with Africana Studies Professors RaShelle Peck and Pam Brooks, and Latinx Student Life coordinator Julio Reyes. After President-elect Trump’s victory, however, Lee said that the sense of urgency increased. A second meeting was scheduled as the sanctuary campus move-

ment took off nationwide. As the College began to sketch a legal framework, it received help from several groups and individuals, including Brooklyn attorney Matthew Covey, OC ’91. Covey, who said he did not work with the College in any official capacity but does practice immigration law, expressed that he wanted to contribute to the dialogue about what Oberlin would look like as a sanctuary campus. “Mr. Krislov’s statement is conceptually powerful, and his three bullet points do a good job of addressing three of the most essential issues at stake in this discussion,” Covey wrote in an email to the Review. “As Oberlin works to put this policy into practice, I think it will be crucial to make sure that it covers as many members of the community as possible, that all members of the community understand the limits of the protection (so as not to create false expectations of safety), and that the practical implications of the policy are realized throughout Oberlin's institutions ( from admissions to record keeping to student organizations to relations with Oberlin’s police department).” Lee highlighted how Krislov’s announcement was a culmination of many people’s hard work. She added that the next step for organizers is to begin coordinating a national strategy among colleges and universities making similar statements in preparation for Trump’s inauguration.

Board Forgoes Student-Trustee Forum for Private Senate Meeting Continued from page 1 the Presidential Search Committee, of which he is the student representative, citing a confidentiality agreement. “A central part of student reps is letting students into the room and changing our normative assumptions about what students are supposed to be involved in at this school,” Poe said. “It's moving past a belief that students are customers which as an analogy offers no form of political participation for students.” Not every student activist believes that having student representatives on the board is the best or only way to strengthen communication. College sophomore and Student Senate Communications Liaison Kameron Dunbar stated that while he’s not opposed to the idea of student representatives on the board, one-on-one conversations between students and trustees could be more effective. “I've found that you can make a lot more of an impact when talking to specific people who are knowledgeable about the specific issue you're looking at,” Dunbar said. “For example, having students regularly engage with differ-

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December 9, 2016

Published by the students of Oberlin College every Friday during the fall and spring semesters, except holidays and examination periods. Advertising rates: $18 per column inch. Second-class postage paid at Oberlin, Ohio. Entered as second-class matter at the Oberlin, Ohio post office April 2, 1911. POSTMASTER SEND CHANGES TO: Wilder Box 90, Oberlin, Ohio 44074-1081. Office of Publication: Burton Basement, Oberlin, Ohio 44074. Phone: (440) 775-8123 Fax: (440) 775-6733 On theOn web: thehttp://www.oberlinreview.org web: oberlinreview.org

Editors-in-Chief Editors-in-chief Tyler Liv Combe Sloan Allegra Vida Weisblum Kirkland Managing editor Samantha Kiley Petersen Link News editors Rosemary Oliver Boeglin Bok Alex LouisHoward Krauss Opinions editor WillSami Rubenstein Mericle This Week Weekeditor editor Zoë Andrea Strassman Wang Arts editors Christian Kara Brooks Bolles Victoria Georgia Garber Horn Sports editors Jackie McDermott Quinn Hull Madeleine Darren O’Meara Zazlau Layout editors Abby Tiffany Carlstad Fung Amanda Ben Garfinkel Tennant Alanna TaliaSandoval Rodwin Photo editors Anya OliviaSpector Gericke Photo editors Brannon Rockwell-Charland Bryan Rubin Online editor Alanna Bennett Rick Yu

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ent trustees on the committees I think could be useful.” Student activists are also examining other models such as Scripps College to get ideas on how to deepen student involvement in College governance said College sophomore and Student Senator Meg Parker. “They have a group of students who meet with the Board of Trustees on campus for a series of meetings before they make the decisions, so that students are aware of the decisions that are going to be made and can voice their opinions to the board,” Parker said. “They don’t have voting power, but it does allow for some other forms of discourse.” For Dunbar, the “us vs. them” mentality that many students have toward the board is counterproductive. “All the trustees are Obies too,” Dunbar said. “They’re all alumni in the end, and I do think that they have Oberlin’s — and dare I say students’ — best interests in mind, even if they don't always make the right choice, or what we think is the right choice.” Vice President and General Counsel Sandhya Subramanian, acting on behalf of the board, declined to comment on the decision.

Corrections Corrections: ThesReview is not aware of Revels In "Oberlin' Early Music Ensemble any corrections week. in Tradition," (Dec. 2,this 2016), the article misgendered Noel Warford, who uses he/ The Review strives to print all him pronouns. information as accurately as possible. If submit you feelathe Review has made an To correction, email managerror, please send an e-mail to ingeditor@oberlinreview.org. managingeditor@oberlinreview.org.

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Off the Cuff: Rob Hillard, City Manager Rob Hillard began his job as Oberlin’s new city manager Monday. In his new position, Hillard will run the city administration and make recommendations to City Council. Hillard served as the city manager for Allegan, MI, from 2005 to 2016. Previously, he worked as the city manager for Yellow Springs, Ohio — home of Antioch College — from 2000 to 2005. The City Council unanimously selected Hillard for the job Oct. 27 after a 10-month search. After narrowing the search to two candidates earlier — Finance Director Sal Talarico and Lowell Crow, a city manager in Monmouth, IL — the City Council couldn’t agree on a final selection, leading to a reopening of the search process and Hillard’s hiring. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. What have the first few days been like? Full of meetings, listening to a lot of individuals regarding Oberlin, its history and projects. Working closely with city staff to get up to speed on procedures. In a nutshell, it’s been very busy, very informative. Does it feel very different from your previous job? Most of my experience was in Michigan. I’ve had experience in Ohio before. It’s more reaffirming my knowledge from my previous position in Ohio. Very, very impressed with the staff and the procedures and the organization so far. What kinds of things are you most excited to work on? I’m excited to work with the City Council on their goals and objectives. They’re working on environmental sustainability issues, social justice issues, and I’m very excited to work with city staff. There’s a lot of expertise here that will be very valuable moving forward. What attracted you to Oberlin? My experiences are primarily in smaller communities. Oberlin, with its downtown business district, of course Oberlin College

that transition been going? It’s been great. Again, my observation is that Oberlin has a very knowledgeable, experienced staff in many departments. They’ve been open, they understand the role of the city manager and their roles as department heads. It’s been a real joy to interact with them. Has there been any awkwardness between you and Sal Talarico [the current finance director and former interim city manger, who also applied for the position on a permanent basis]? Not at all. Sal is a professional. He’s been so supportive. I’m a big fan.

City Manager Rob Hillard listens to residents at a forum in October.

and the diversity the community, offers were quite attractive to me. Have you moved to Oberlin permanently? Yes, I have. What was that transition like on a personal level? Moving from Michigan to Ohio, we’re still sorting out the process, but Oberlin’s been a great community to move into. I’ve been very impressed by the restaurants and the people of the town, and of course, the council and department heads. It’s been very welcoming. Your last job ended rather suddenly. Can you speak to why the City Council asked you to resign? I worked with [the] council on the resignation. I’d been there for a number of years; they were looking to go for a different direction. It was amicable. I’m very supportive of the city of Allegan. Is being a city manager strange, in that you’re an apolitical city employee who nevertheless is in the center of city politics? Have you ever deeply disagreed with a decision by City Council at a city that you’ve managed?

treatment. The student was released at 1:15 a.m. and escorted to their residential hall.

Thursday, Dec. 1

Saturday, Dec. 3

10:25 a.m. Safety and Security officers were requested to assist an ill student in Dascomb Hall. The student was taken in an ambulance to Mercy Allen Hospital for treatment. 12 p.m. Staff at the Science Center reported graffiti on the west side of the building. An obscenity was etched into the metal near the west entrance door. A work order was placed for removal.

12:48 a.m. An officer assisted a student ill from alcohol consumption in the restroom of Hales Gymnasium during Solarity. The student was escorted to Mercy Allen Hospital for treatment. 1:20 a.m. An officer witnessed a student pick up a glass bottle from a Village Housing Unit and throw it onto the pavement outside the Science Center, breaking the glass. The student took responsibility and was documented for judicial review. A work order was filed to clean up the glass. 1:57 a.m. Officers responded to a student request to locate one of two friends from another college who was visiting in order to attend Solarity. The visiting student was found intoxicated and asleep in his own vehicle in a College parking lot. Officers then accompanied the reporting student back to his residence.

Friday, Dec. 2 11:07 p.m. Officers working at Solarity responded to a student who tripped on the steps and assisted the student to Mercy Allen Hospital for treatment. 11:36 p.m. Officers working at Solarity assisted a student ill from alcohol consumption by taking them to Mercy Allen Hospital for

No, the objective of being a good city manager is to be thorough in your research to provide the strongest recommendation possible, but also knowing that the City Council develops policy. So as we do our jobs, we just need to respect our roles and create a trusting relationship that can assure that we’re working towards the betterment of the Oberlin community. I’ve been very, very impressed with the knowledge of City Council and department heads and I’m looking forward to continuing to work. Why do you think City Council chose you for the job? I believe my over 28 years of experience in municipal government was helpful. I believe my experiences working as a collaborative city manager was important. And those are just two [reasons]. I’ve had a number of opportunities to work with granting programs. And the vast majority of my experience is with working in smaller communities and dynamic communities. I have experience working in a college town; I have experience working with diverse staff. And again, I feel that Oberlin is a great opportunity.

There’s been some division on City Council for a while now — in terms of the city manager search but also other issues, such as what to do with the Renewable Energy Credits. Do you think that’s something a city manager can help with? Again, part of this is respect for the roles and the process. I do have a collaborative style of management that I hope will be helpful. At the same time, I respect the City Council, I respect their deliberation process and I’m here to serve them. What does a collaborative style mean? Just as an example, part of my first goals and objectives is to listen to the individuals of the City Council, understanding what their goals and objectives are, understand why they’re serving so I can better approach creating competent direction as they see fit. So collaboration is listening; collaboration is understanding what’s possible; collaboration is also acknowledging the roles that we play — me as a city manager, council [in] their roles. Do you have anything else you’d like to add? No, I’m just very appreciative of the opportunity to serve the citizens of Oberlin, and I appreciate the support I’ve received.

How do you deal with suddenly working with a whole new set of city staff? How has

Interview by Oliver Bok, News editor Photo by Rick Yu, Photo editor

10 a.m. An officer responded to a contractor’s report of vandalism to a freshly poured concrete sidewalk on Union Street. The matter is under investigation. 10:28 p.m. An officer responded to three students stuck in an elevator at South Hall. The elevator car did not stop level with the floor in order to exit. The elevator was removed from service until it could be checked or repaired.

Maintenance staff was notified for repair. 6:42 p.m. An officer and Maintenance staff responded to a carbon monoxide detector alarm at Talcott Hall. The damper was not set to allow the proper amount of air to circulate, and a repair was addressed by Facilities Operations. 9:39 p.m. An officer responded to a student who reported their wallet stolen from an unsecured locker at Philips gym between 7 and 9 p.m. Cash was missing from the wallet. No witnesses or suspects have been identified. 10:56 p.m. An officer and members of the Oberlin Fire Department responded to a central alarm panel alert at Kade House. Since it was malfunctioning, an electrician changed the detector.

Monday, Dec. 5 11:21 a.m. A food service employee reported their phone missing from its charger cord, which was left plugged in overnight in Stevenson Dining Hall. The phone is a white iPhone 4, valued at $50. The phone has not been located.

Tuesday, Dec. 6 12:11 a.m. An officer closing the Science Center found a door handle broken off and lying on the ground outside the south exit.

Wednesday, Dec. 7 11:53 a.m. An officer responded to assist a student who had fallen on the stairway of Peters Hall between the second and third floors. The student was transported to Mercy Allen Hospital to be seen for any potential injuries.

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The Oberlin Review, December 9, 2016

Lorain Grapples with Government Cutbacks

A van enters the Lorain County Jail in Elyria. The Sheriff’s department will have to make deep cuts after county commissioners opted not to hike taxes.

Sydney Allen Production Editor County officials have chosen to defer to the will of the voters and implement budget cuts instead of a tax hike, which will include cutting funding to law enforcement as Lorain County’s heroin epidemic rages on. The county commissioners’ office rejected a proposal Wednesday morning that would have raised the sales tax in Lorain by .25 percent. The increase would have gone against voters’ decision on the Nov. 8 ballot, but was under consideration regardless because of the county’s dire financial situation. In the wake of the commissioners’ decision, the county is looking at large-scale budget cuts and layoffs. With a $5-million deficit projected for next year, Lorain County could be looking at severe budget cuts in its already understaffed justice department — an unwelcome prospect in the face of one of the largest heroin crises in the nation. “The cuts could be as deep as 20 percent, and that probably means that the Sheriff ’s Department would have to get rid of 12 people,

the prosecutor would have to make cuts,” said Lorain County Commissioner Matt Lundy. “They’re already understaffed, and it makes it difficult to battle or win the war on the heroin epidemic when you have to make the cuts.” The heroin epidemic is weighing on many government officials’ minds. The prosecutors’ office can barely keep up with the influx of drug-related crimes and is going to have to start dropping cases due to the workload. In addition, the coroner’s office is overwhelmed by the more than 100 fatal overdoses it has seen this year. The county’s crime lab “is barely operating,” according to Lundy. The county jail, which already uses a third of the county’s budget, is also in need of serious repairs and improvements, such as a body scanner to prevent drug smuggling into the jail. Over 74 percent of voters voted against the proposed Issue 32 last month, which would have generated around $10 million per year that would have been split between the general operating fund and the transit department. Voters also rejected Issue 35, a proposed tax levy that would have raised money for addic-

tion treatment. “We didn’t run any big full-fledged campaign, and we were hoping we were going to get some support from the folks working in the transit issue, because we were going to divide the money between transit and the county budget,” Lundy said. “But the transit advocates weren’t willing to work with us on that.” The sales tax increase has gone before voters on six separate occasions and has been voted down each time. The last successful sales tax increase was in 1994. The Commission’s decision split 2–1, with Commissioners Matt Lundy and Lori Kokoski voting against the imposed increase and Commissioner Ted Kalo voting for it. “I think they made the right decision by not circumventing the will of the voters,” said Connie Carr, former Lorain County commissioner candidate. “I understand and sympathize with the fact that the county's operating costs are increasing more than its income. However, Lorain County residents have the same issue. Their income is not keeping up with increases in living expenses, and they are

Photo by Rick Yu, Photo editor

all trying to stretch each dollar further to make ends meet. If our residents have to live within their means, so should our government.” Lorain County currently has the fourth– lowest sales tax rate out of Ohio’s 88 counties at 6.5 percent. Of that tax, which typically generates around $19 million, the state government receives around 88 percent, leaving Lorain with less than $3 million in revenue from sales tax, a small portion of its $60 million operating budget. Within the last five years, the state government in Columbus, Ohio, has cut the county’s sales tax revenue by more than half. “This is not a self-inflicted wound,” Lundy said. “This is because the state has not honored its promise of sending money back to the communities and has cut 50 percent. Right around 2010, 2011 we have seen a 50-percent phase out for our budget.” State government currently has a $2-billion surplus. “Columbus has abandoned us,” Lundy said. “Columbus has put our families at risk, and they’re forcing us to look like the bad guys.”

Frustration Grows Over Implementation Committee's Effectiveness Eliza Guinn Staff Writer Tensions have flared over stagnant progress within the Strategic Plan Implementation Committees over the last few weeks. Comparative American Studies Associate Professor Shelley Lee was on the Committee for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, but reportedly resigned due to frustration with the committee. Lee declined the Review’s request for comment. College sophomore and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee Member Kameron Dunbar said that while the committee plans to have a series of recommendations produced by the end of the semester, it is unlikely to actually occur. “I think we need to reconsider: Why are we together? Why are we

doing this? We need to put together a document to go through General Faculty, where it will be watered down. I don’t want to be a part of a group that produces yet another document that doesn’t really do much.” The committees are meant to implement the Strategic Plan, a document that supposedly will guide the Board of Trustees decisions for the next five to 10 years. However, it is unclear how they actually make changes and interact with the board. The Strategic Plan consists of five implementation committees: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Curricular; Resource Management; Advising; and Governance. All committees have been formed and begun meeting, although some committees, such as Governance, have only recently been formed. Others, such

as the advising taskforce, have been meeting for up to nine months in–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

“I think we need to reconsider: Why are we together? Why are we doing this? ... I don't want to be a part of a group that produces yet another document that doesn't really do much.” Kameron Dunbar Student Senator ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– cluding over the summer. For former Student Senate Liaison and double-degree senior Jeremy Poe, the lack of real progress is

unsurprising. “Student Senate unanimously opposed the plan because we didn’t see questions about implementation being answered,” Poe said. “The plan is, by its nature, self-congratulatory and contradictory.” One concern that had been raised by students in the past is the lack of implementation power held by the committees, which are only able to make recommendations for policy change. Poe also noted the necessity of student input when proposing changes, which he did not feel was respected in the strategic implementation process. “The Strategic Plan [is] an endorsement that students don’t matter to the planning process,” he said. “Students have repeatedly predicted problems with the strategic plan and have been repeatedly ignored.”

Meredith Raimondo, dean of students and co-chair of the committee for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, commented on Lee’s resignation. “We appreciate her important contribution and recognize the many demands on the time and energy of faculty, staff and students engaged in diversity, equity, and inclusion,” she wrote in an email to the Review. “The committee will continue to move forward in developing an implementation plan in draft form, to be workshopped with the broader Oberlin community as the year progresses.” According to Dunbar, another faculty committee member has also threatened to resign. Dunbar noted the necessity for substantive change, saying, “When you rely on areas throughout the College to become more diverse by themselves, it doesn’t really work.”

Opinions The Oberlin Review

December 9, 2016

Letters to the Editors DeCafé Employee Expresses Gratitude, Bids Farewell To the Editors: My name is Kathy. I work in Wilder Hall in DeCafé. Most of you see me when I’m working on the cash register. Some of you may know I’m retiring this December. I want to say a few things to you, the students, before I go. Thank you. You cannot know how much you have enriched my life over the years. Thank you for your energy and your humor. They have sustained me. Thank you for the conversations we’ve had — wonderful conversations about your families, your travels, your studies, your plans for the future. I have so enjoyed these interactions with you. Thank you for the invitations to your recitals and performances. I have thoroughly enjoyed attending and have been amazed by your talents! Thank you to those of you who have invited me to your sporting events. Win or lose, I have had a lot of fun watching you play and cheering you on from the stands! A very special thank you to the students working in Dining Services. I have enjoyed working with you and I treasure the friendships that have developed between us. Most importantly, I want all of you to know that if I have made your life a little brighter with a smile or a hug when you’ve needed it, you have given the same back to me a hundred times over. Thank you! As for me, I’ve very excited about my life after retirement. My plans include spending more time with my family, especially my sweet 14-monthold granddaughter (you may have seen a picture or two of her, haha), traveling, spending time with friends, continuing to attend events at the College, learning new things, cooking and also eating out (because really, who doesn’t love good food?), trying new hobbies and getting back to old ones. You

might just see me at DeCafé, because I intend to visit often. I also plan to attend the next five commencements, since some students are here for five years, and I want to have the pleasure of seeing each and every one of you graduate. Enjoy your time here at the College, and please know I wish all of you the very best as you continue on your life’s journey. Finally, will the student who wanted the lavender recipes please contact me? I still have them for you. Regretfully, I didn’t get your name when we spoke, so I haven’t been able to contact you. Thanks! Fondly, –Kathy Baker DeCafé Grill Cook/Counter Cook/Cashier

Trump Aspires to Greatness To the Editors: President-elect Donald Trump wants to be a transformational president, honored just like Presidents Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln. But because of his ego, he wants to be elevated above them, to occupy the pantheon of greatness envied by all gods. In his first month as Presidentelect, he might have done a little more to unite the country. His march toward eternal greatness could have already begun had he first spoken to the nation with an undiluted message of unity, comfort and specific reassurances to those who felt most threatened and unsafe, followed by any number of rallies in stadiums to which all were invited, especially those who did not vote for him — not rallies designed for him to thank his supporters, not rallies for those in one city to welcome home its championship team with delirious cheers while another is left in tears. He is president-elect of all American cities and citizens. Trump can recover from that misstep by ensuring that the some 20 million who now have insurance because of Obamacare won’t miss a day of cov-

erage even as efforts get under way to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The intent is to replace it, but that may take more than three years. Trump can step toward being transformational by not letting a day pass, let alone three years, without full coverage for that 20 million. Who among us would be willing to go without health protection that long! Few would ask Trump to focus much attention on what the Founding Fathers did to Native Americans/Indigenous peoples in the 18th and 19th centuries. But all should expect him to make sure that our sacred Constitution, though drafted by mostly wealthy and — by today’s standards — racist white men, is not dishonored by our fear of Muslims or undermined by our desire to have a deportation department to cleanse the country of 11 million illegal immigrants. To be transformational, he just has to make sure that we do not repeat acts reminiscent of those that led us to intern Japanese Americans in the ’40s and refuse sanctuary in 1939 to the German ship S.S. St. Louis carrying over 900 Jews seeking to avoid extermination — decisions causing stain, sadness and shame that are nightmarish even today. Our Founding Fathers could never have imagined an America with more wealth and military power than that of any five nations combined. Yet in a divided nation, Trump cannot be transformational. He’s Americans’ president-elect, soon to be president. He can begin to build his transformational legacy by doing all that he can to unite the country in the 21st century, as Lincoln did in the 19th. At this early point, more than a few of us have not done all we can to be helpful. But as there’s much time left for Trump to do better, there’s surely enough for us. If Trump is transformational, so will America be. Let’s take steps toward greatness together. Celebrate this day. –Booker C. Peek Emeritus Professor of Africana Studies

Submissions Policy The Oberlin Review appreciates and welcomes letters to the editors and column submissions. All submissions are printed at the discretion of the Editorial Board. All submissions must be received by Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. at opinions@oberlinreview.org or Wilder Box 90 for inclusion in the following Friday’s Review. Letters may not exceed 600 words and columns may not exceed 800 words, except with the consent of the Editorial Board. All submissions must include contact information, with full names, for all signers. All electronic submissions from multiple writers should be carbon-copied to all signers to confirm authorship. The Review reserves the right to edit all submissions for content, space, spelling, grammar and libel. Editors will work with columnists and contributors to edit pieces and will clear major edits with the authors prior to publication. Editors will contact authors of letters to the editors in the event of edits for anything other than style and grammar. In no case will editors change the opinions expressed in any submission. The Opinions section strives to serve as a forum for debate. Review staff will occasionally engage in this debate within the pages of the Review. In these cases, the Review will either seek to create dialogue between the columnist and staff member prior to publication or will wait until the next issue to publish the staff member’s response. The Review will not print advertisements on its Opinions pages. The Review defines an advertisement as any submission that has the main intent of bringing direct monetary gain to the author of a letter to the editors. Opinions expressed in letters, columns, essays, cartoons or other Opinions pieces do not necessarily reflect those of the staff of the Review.

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

Editors-in-Chief Tyler Sloan Vida Weisblum Managing Editor Kiley Petersen Opinions Editor Sami Mericle

Standing Rock Serves as Model for Future Protests In a major victory for the Standing Rock Sioux, the Army Corps of Engineers announced Sunday that it would reroute the Dakota Access Pipeline away from native land. Though the Sioux’s success is still tentative — President-elect Donald Trump could pressure the Army to reverse the decision when he takes office — the announcement is a direct reflection of the power of public protest. The Standing Rock Sioux and their collaborators from other native tribes — “water protectors” — led a highly effective protest campaign against the construction of a pipeline that would have risked pollution of their water and destroyed sacred sites. They drew thousands of allies to the camp in frigid temperatures. They remained peaceful when police wielded water hoses and dogs against them. They employed social media to spread information when the mainstream media ignored their campaign. They were resolute about their goals in face of three massive, faceless opponents: the Army Corps of Engineers, the federal government and Dakota Access, LLC. None of this work was easy. The next time the Review publishes in February, Trump will be serving as the 45th president of the United States. While many students have voiced vehement opposition to his bigotry, volatility and tendencies toward despotism, many have also expressed uncertainty at how to make a difference. Particularly with Republicans in control of both the House and Senate, and a likely conservative majority in the Supreme Court, it seems as if nothing can be done to stop Trump from carrying out regressive, dangerous policies. But students who doubt that their voices can alter the direction of his term should look to the Standing Rock Sioux as evidence that protest still works, no matter how grueling the process. Rallies and protests are being planned all over the country to mark Trump’s inauguration day. The one that has garnered the most media attention is the Women’s March on D.C. planned for Jan. 21, to which hundreds of thousands of people have RSVPed on Facebook. Marches like these, as well as the nationwide protests that occurred in the days immediately following the election, have been criticized for not giving Trump a chance to introduce policy or take actions as president before denouncing him. This is a fair argument, and Democrats should seek compromise instead of stubbornly promoting obstructionism, a tactic Republicans have employed under President Barack Obama’s administration. However, President-elect Trump has given us plenty to protest without setting foot in the Oval Office. His campaign’s promises to target Muslims, repeal Obamacare and ignore environmental crises should not be forgotten, and his cabinet and advisory appointments so far indicate that he intends to follow up on many of them. But these issues are not yet done deals. Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by over 2 million, and even many of the people who cast ballots for Trump openly admit that they do not support much of what he has proposed. Trump does not have the support of the people, and we need to demonstrate that. The point of protest is not to dispute election results. Trump was elected fairly in accordance to our Constitution. But public protests will prove to our legislators that they need to hold Trump accountable. Through protest, we can show marginalized communities that we stand with them. If Trump starts to break apart foreign alliances, we can prove to the world that he does not have the support of the American people. Some writers have speculated that the Trump administration will bring with it a new era of progressive activism similar to the fight for Civil Rights or against the Vietnam War in the 1960s. This will be hard work. So as Jan. 20 approaches, call your representatives and tell them not to approve bigots for cabinet positions. Over break, attend city council meetings and ask how your local officials are going to protect immigrants. Join whatever local rallies may be occurring in your area around Inauguration Day. Prove that this is not Trump’s America — it’s the people’s America. 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

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The Oberlin Review, December 9, 2016

NIMBY Activism Will Not Halt NEXUS Pipeline Project Adriana Teitelbaum Contributing Writer While many activists and public officials have been focusing their outrage on the Dakota Access Pipeline, Spectra Energy’s NEXUS pipeline is a more immediate threat lurking below public radar for Ohio and other Midwestern residents. By 2018, the NEXUS pipeline could potentially occupy over 255 miles of land stretching from Ohio to Western Canada. The pipeline, which will carry natural gas through Ohio, Michigan and Ontario, Canada, has been in the works since 2013. According to the project’s website, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will not determine whether to approve the project until 2017. However, it is highly unlikely that the project will be halted, as it has been in development for more than three years and a group of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staffers recommended approval Nov. 30. Across Ohio, there has been immense opposition to the pipeline. The Bowling Green City Council unanimously voted against the request to build part of the pipeline on city-owned land, despite a $151,000 compensation offer from Spectra. Residents of Medina, Ohio, plan on gathering in the town square Dec. 10 to express their opposition to the project. Many skeptics are wondering whether resistance will be effective this late in the game. While localized resistance in towns or regions — Oberlin, for instance — may be successful in preventing the pipeline from cutting through those areas, the possibility of stopping the project entirely is slim. These protests, if they produce any tangible effect at all, would merely reroute the pipeline. The issue won’t be solved, only pushed away. Take, for example, the vote in Bowling Green. According to The Toledo Blade, the project will either be rerouted or Spectra will attempt to use eminent domain laws to acquire the land, despite the fact that the City Council voted against allowing the pipeline on city land. While Bowling Green’s City Council may have attempted to resolve their involvement in the issue, the project will likely continue regardless. In Oberlin, the Community Bill of Rights prohibits fracking or fracking-related infrastructure, theoretically blocking local construction of the pipeline. However, the city’s Bill of Rights is overruled by federal law and would likely lead to a legal battle between the city of Oberlin and Spectra. Even if the pipeline is successfully kept out of Oberlin, it will simply move to another location in Ohio. This type of “not in my backyard” or “NIMBY ” activism has been criticized

for its questionable ethics. There is an obvious moral problem with opposing something only when it becomes personal. These NIMBY ethics set a precedent that there is no implicit issue with the pipeline, just that the residents of Bowling Green would prefer to not deal with it. In reality, there are several issues with the NEXUS pipeline that should be universally opposed. Environmentally, the pipeline will cause severe damage. No NEXUS Pipeline, an organization dedicated to stopping the project, explains on its website –––––––––––––––––––––––––––

There is an obvious moral issue with opposing something only when it becomes personal. These NIMBY ethics set a precedent that there is no implicit issue with the pipeline, just that the residents of Bowling Green would prefer to not deal with it. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– how “construction would leave permanent degradation of our landscape, private properties, wildlife, forests, agricultural land and aquifers.” Potential ruptures would not only be devastating to the local environment but would also pose health risks to nearby residents. The organization then explains how “explosions involving pipelines of this size and pressure actually occur and are catastrophic. ... Our communities’ emergency response facilities are not equipped to deal with such occurrences and the cost of developing the appropriate capability would be borne by local taxpayers.” NIMBY activism doesn’t prevent any of these issues from occurring, it just pushes them onto someone else. Though it may seem like the only option in times of desperation, it should not be the go-to method for tackling environmental issues. Hazards like NEXUS can be prevented if the public becomes heavily involved early on and if we stop disregarding local government as unimportant or inefficient. At this point in time, it is unlikely that the pipeline can be stopped. In accordance with its own Bill of Rights, Oberlin should have done more than just attempt to prevent the pipeline from entering city limits. If local governments across the span of Ohio and Michigan met and worked together, perhaps the pipeline could have been stopped. Democracy only works if the majority of people are willing to participate and collectively organize, and this starts with actions as small as town council meetings or local elections.

Brian Tom

Support for ESAs Combats Ableism Melissa Harris Production Editor As a long-time sufferer of emotional and mental disorders who struggles with depression and anxiety especially, I have sought almost every form of treatment under the sun: antidepressants, therapy, meditation, yoga, exercise. The list goes on. However, coming to college has made me realize an integral part of my mental wellbeing was missing once I arrived: my pet rabbit from home. I forgot the way my rabbit would sit by me when he was out of his hutch, allowing me to stroke his soft fur and calm my anxieties after a sleepless night. It was this September, at the beginning of my junior year, that I looked into getting an emotional support animal at Oberlin. Although my family did not want me to take our rabbit to college, I ended up getting a hedgehog named Marlowe, and he has been the rock of my mentality on the days when I am most emotionally and psychologically unstable. The simple act of holding him when I feel a well of tears, anxiety and terror reminds me of the fragility and preciousness of life. He depends on me to survive, so I must remain strong and take care of myself

— physically, mentally and emotionally — to take care of him. The companionship ultimately reinforces my selfcare and positive mindfulness. The relationship I have with my emotional support animal has made a huge impact on my overall wellbeing. But when I tell people about my hedgehog, some ask if I applied for an ESA just to have permission to have a pet on campus. This question bothers me deeply. I have been diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder and functional anxiety and depression, so my mental disorders are not always obvious in my everyday behavior. But their chronic effects hinder my ability to feel and perform at my fullest. The fact that my disorders are not explicitly visible to others does not mean that I do not have an illness and that I do not need a source of treatment — in this case, my ESA — to help me get by. Unfortunately, skepticism of ESAs is widespread. Oberlin’s Office of Disabilities allowed me to undertake an application process to bring Marlowe to campus, but even here, the opportunity to apply only occurs once a See ESA, page 7

Activism Limited by Disregard for Disability Auden Granger Production Editor Engagement in activism is a key facet of life and education for many Oberlin students. But what does it mean when you can’t access these types of activism? What does it mean when you’re excluded by default from the performances, speeches and workshops that define most students’ social and political work? Oberlin has a massive issue with accessibility. To put it more explicitly, Oberlin has a massive issue with acknowledging and incorporating disability at all. Disability is rarely considered in student activism and in the work that Oberlin student organizations do, despite the fact that disability intersects with every social inequality we work toward addressing. Ability status intersects with race, class, gender, sexuality, nationality, immigration status, employment and education. The activism we do surrounding different axes of privilege and oppression is limited when we disregard the way that disability shapes each axis. An important way to address disability as an element of activism is to include disabled students in the activist work that we do. Activist work becomes irrelevant and faulty when the marginalization disabled people experience is discussed without the involvement of any disabled people. As activists, we need to consider disability in ev-

erything we do — and this means that we have to make our activist spaces and work we do more accessible. So how do we ensure that when we organize and create communities on campus, we are doing so in a way that is as inclusive and accessible as possible? What does that look like? What does it even mean? Disability encompasses a wide variety of people, conditions and experiences. In fact, disability — like race, gender and class — is socially constructed. There is no inherent category of disability; it’s defined in opposition to how we define normative bodies, brains, needs and skills. This makes accessibility work more difficult in practicality, because as activists, we are faced with a dilemma: With such a wide range of experiences and access needs before us, how do we respond effectively with the limited resources given to us as student organizers and activists? The first step is research. Learning how to respond to the various access needs of, say, people with sensory processing disorders, blind and visually impaired people, people with disabilities that impact various elements of mobility, people with learning disabilities, and d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing people, requires hard work, research and communication. Many resources are available from disability advocacy groups on campus and online that describe practical methods of

improving the accessibility of various types of spaces. One example is the Healing Justice Lending Library, which I co-run, and which provides informational resources and physical healing tools to community members who are unable to access those tools elsewhere. Other resources include the JAN Workplace Accommodation Toolkit, the Radical Access Mapping Project and toolkits and documents from the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, all of which can be found online. Our activism becomes stronger as it becomes more intersectional. Disability is a key facet of structures of privilege and oppression, but so much of the work that activists do only furthers ableism and inaccessibility. Disabled people are some of the primary victims of respectability politics, in which marginalized groups attempt to appear as similar to priviliged groups as possible, as the standards that define respectability are so often deeply embedded in understandings of ability and neurotypicality. We must address and combat this and other facets of ableism in our society, and we can not do that until we open up our activist spaces and work to include disabled participants and voices. The disability advocacy community has a longstanding motto: “Nothing about us without us.” Since ability status touches every set of experiences, as activists and organizers, we must work to break down access barriers in all the work we do.

Opinions

The Oberlin Review, December 9, 2016

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Trump’s Personality Distracts from Policy Issues Daniel Nerenhausen Contributing Writer The time of simple post-election anger and condemnation has passed, leaving the party of progress and activism faced with a profound question: What, in practice, does it mean to fight President-elect Donald Trump? Much of the reaction I have observed thus far, particularly here on campus, has been indignation with Trump’s vile immorality and with the rest of the country’s ignorance. This reaction has led some, like journalist Paul Waldman, to look to Republican Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell for opposition guidance, summarizing his insights from 2009, “Obstruction is generally something you’re unlikely to pay a price for, because most voters will decide that ‘Washington’ isn’t working and put blame on the party that holds the White House, even if the fact that it isn’t working is completely the other party’s fault” (“Why Democrats Need to

Fight Donald Trump from the Moment He Takes Office,” The Washington Post, Nov. 17, 2016). It is disturbing to hear a respected journalist advocate for essentially the same tactics of blind obstructionism that have weakened our nation’s faith in its democratic institutions over the last eight years. Democrats must be disciplined and not allow ourselves as a party to obsess over Trump’s personality and failings nor use our opinions of his unfitness to serve as the sole justification of our opposition. In doing so, we only inflate Trump’s image as a man of the people shackled by Washington’s elite. Our despair must instead be more productive, as that is exactly what Trump’s pronouncements and policies do — induce despair. Trump is akin to a Machiavellian tyrant, sowing seeds of fear and distrust and thereby preventing oppositional coalitions to form. If problems are intractable, if we come to believe there is nothing we can do, we are defeated before the horses are out of the gate. Cynicism breeds complacency.

Democrats should instead focus on crafting and promoting policies with broader and sounder appeal. Liberals must shed their neoliberal, technocratic solutions to large-scale problems that struggled to resonate with many Americans, as this election painfully highlighted. The Democratic Party has somehow allowed itself to drift from the days of Franklin Roosevelt, when it was seen as the party of the working man, despite the fact that, at their core, liberal beliefs are still more favorable to economically depressed, oft-ignored constituencies than those of the Republican Party they so overwhelmingly supported. With the divisive, ham-fisted and oppressive policies Trump and his Legion of Doom hope to enact, we will see flowers of opposition blooming from many corners, both expected and unexpected. It is the Democratic Party’s responsibility to cultivate and unite these scattered pockets of dissent to at least create a groundswell of opposition that Trump and Republican legislators will be forced to recognize.

This battle is not limited to Washington. Much of this effort to find unity in opposition relies on local-level resistance at Oberlin and elsewhere. We must counter the trend toward identity politics that emphasize differences as the central truth of political life and instead organize around our similarities. The list of groups hurt by Trump is varied and only looks to become longer and more varied. This variation plays into Trump’s strategy to divide and conquer, so we must instead utilize it as a tool to counter him. As Trevor Noah wrote in a Dec. 5 op-ed for The New York Times, “We can be steadfast on the subject of Mr. Trump’s unfitness for office while still reaching out to reason with his supporters. We can be unwavering in our commitment to racial equality while still breaking bread with the same racist people who’ve oppressed us.” Democrats have a history of picking themselves off the floor, dusting themselves off and organizing a comeback, and if there was ever a need for a comeback, it’s now.

ADA Compliance Necessary to Support Disabled Students Taylorlyn Stephan Contributing Writer Over 20 percent of reporting Oberlin students self-identifed as disabled or as having a mental illness that causes barriers to access and inclusion on an August survey conducted by Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. So why is there a persistent belief that Oberlin does not have a community of varying abilities? Based on my experiences with a chronic illness and talking to other disabled students, I noticed a divide between invisible and hypervisible disabilities. There are few students who are very visibly disabled, and this is likely related to the sheer lack of buildings compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and disability services offered by Oberlin. The lack of services such as personal assistant services, appropriatelybrailled signage or elevator access makes navigating Oberlin an impossibility for many physically disabled students. Many dorms on campus lack

elevators, including most of the heritage houses and co-ops. Warner Center, the second floor of the Allen Memorial Art Museum, the Art Library, Hales Gymnasium and most restaurants and shops in town are not wheelchair accessible. There are rarely American Sign Language interpreters at College-sponsored events. Transportation services are dismal in the area, and students who need to leave campus for medical services require a car, a friend to drive or, if finances will allow, a taxi or Uber. The Office of Disability Services focuses primarily on academic-related issues and not daily assistance. While ODS attempts to hold one or two social events for its users each semester, there is still a severe deficit in the support needed to create an Oberlin disability community. For Professor Maureen Peters’ biology seminar, I attempted to do a photo exhibition on disability as educational outreach to the College community. My project was flagged for Institutional Review Board approval with “greater than minimal risk” for

“the enrollment of participants with impairments, disabilities or psychological disorders,” despite its premise as an art installation rather than a research study. When I expressed surprise to a friend, they joked that it’s almost like disability cannot exist unless someone externally reviews and officiates it. Disability in higher education and academia often seems confined to those of us with invisible disabilities — who can pass as able-bodied — and those of us who can “rise above our disability” to be successful. Successful disabled people who do “rise above” are often are used as inspiration porn, which is dehumanizing and undermines our achievements. Disability inspiration porn simultaneously makes it harder for other disabled folks to achieve success if they need more accommodations or take longer on certain tasks, because disability is viewed as a monolith and non-disabled people only celebrate select disability narratives. Visible disabilities — typically defined as people who use a mobility

Heartbeat Bill Disturbingly Unconstitutional Jordan Yonkofski Contributing Writer The Ohio Congress passed the antiabortion “Heartbeat Bill” Tuesday in a move that gravely threatens the constitutional rights of pregnant people. The bill prevents a pregnant person from getting an abortion once the heartbeat of the fetus can be detected. This would outlaw a majority of abortions, since a heartbeat can be detected in utero as early as six weeks after conception. At this point in a pregnancy, many people don’t even know that they are pregnant. If the Heartbeat Bill is signed into law, Ohio would have some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the U.S. The bill was approved Tuesday evening by the Ohio Senate and proceeded to the Ohio House of Representatives, where it passed within hours. The bill now moves to Governor John Kasich, who has the power to veto the bill or sign it into law. I urge you to call Kasich’s office to express concerns over this unconstitutional bill and request that he veto it. The Heartbeat Bill does not include exceptions for those seeking an abortion due to incest or rape, but it does make an exception if the child-bearer’s

life is in danger. It seems that in the eyes of the Ohio law, pregnant people must risk death to have a choice regarding their own health and body. This would be a step in the wrong direction toward comprehensive reproductive rights. Roe v. Wade granted a pregnant person the right to choose whether or not they want to carry the pregnancy to term based on an implied Constitutional right to privacy. Arkansas and North Dakota have passed similar bills to the Heartbeat Bill that were later deemed unconstitutional. In a different year, this would make me hopeful that this bill would soon be overturned by courts if passed into law. But given that President-elect Donald Trump has stated his intention to appoint anti-abortion Supreme Court justices, the courts may not be a reliable recourse. Like many others, the members of the Ohio Congress are emboldened by Trump’s promised infringement on citizens’ rights. They feel that since the President-elect has gotten to the Oval Office by threatening the rights of marginalized Americans, they can get away with it too. Amid Donald Trump’s threats to appoint anti-abortion Supreme Court jus-

tices and defund Planned Parenthood, it is easy to feel that the Heartbeat Bill is just the first step to taking away our constitutional rights. It doesn’t help that Kasich is a Republican who has already asserted himself to be a supporter of the pro-life movement. When I first found out about the bill, I couldn’t help but feel that it was already a done deal. I felt that there wasn’t anything I could do to convince Kasich, an old male Republican, that my choices about my own body are more important than his partisan garbage. I can’t afford to think that way, though, and neither can you. It is now more important than ever to make your voice be heard by your representatives. They cannot ignore us if we do not stop calling. They will not be able to ignore hundreds of voices begging them to listen. By contacting Kasich, you are using the democratic system to your advantage. Your voice has a great deal of influence, but only if you use it. Please call Governor Kasich at (614) 466-3555 or contact him online through his website and urge him to veto this bill. Reproductive rights have not gotten this far just to be snatched out from under our feet.

device or whose body is “marked” by characteristics like limb and muscle definition loss and/or speech impediments — are the most frequent disability inspiration porn narratives. Invisible disabilities — chronic diseases like cancer and autoimmunity, learning disabilities like ADHD and dyslexia and mental illnesses such as anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder — are frequently derided; individuals with invisible illnesses are frequently assumed to be faking it or asked if they are better now. But despite these heavy connotations, the actual overlap between those who can be readily seen as disabled and those who pass as able-bodied is conditional and situational. Oberlin students fall into both of these categories, yet many report feeling invisible. Additionally, students have told me that when their disability is acknowledged, they still lack the resources to truly succeed. In response to these misunderstandings and narrow views on disability at Oberlin and beyond, I propose the following guidelines for

addressing disability, adapted from College sophomore Tavi Gerstle and other anonymous submissions: First, do not think of ableism as a bonus oppression to tack on to other oppressions. Second, know that we are not broken or wrong. Our disabilities affect every aspect of our identities and daily lives. Third, remember that we are part of your communities. Normalize us, our access needs and the possibility that there is always a disabled person present. Finally, Oberlin needs to commit to making itself more physically accessible and prioritize the inclusion of a diverse disabled population. Support the disabled Oberlin students in your community and value their narratives and contributions. Disability is a vital and often-overlooked aspect of diversity, and working to fully integrate current disabled students and welcome prospective ones will only improve Oberlin.

ESAs Skepticism Invalidates Mental Illness Treatment Continued from page 6 month and is not the most readily-accessible procedure. However, there are many colleges and universities that still resist allowing any animals to live in residential buildings. Not only are many of these institutions skeptical of the efficacy of ESAs — even with clear research proving that the companionship of animals reduces the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and various depressive and anxiety disorders, among others — but these statements also speak to the belittling and invalidation of mental illness. From the resistance to trigger warnings to name-calling millennials for being “too easily offended,” there is still a stigmatization of mental disorders. Resistance and skepticism of ESAs undermines the very real illnesses I endure. I am not weak. I am not soft. But just like anyone else, I can suffer from disorders and conditions that I cannot control. Marlowe isn’t just a companion to me. He is my medicine. He’s just as important to my health as my prescribed antidepressants. To doubt that and to prevent people like me from accessing effective treatment is ableist and continues the invalidation of people with mental and emotional disorders. As we move into finals week, I encourage mindfulness of the stresses that may trigger depression, anxiety or other disorders. It is important to take care of your body and mind and to know that there are individuals on campus who may be suffering in ways you may not be able to see on the surface. Knowing this, continue supporting greater access to effective treatment for individuals in need. In my case, that means my ESA. Even if I cannot control what my disorders may bring in the coming week, I know I will have my ESA there to minimize the brunt of it.

HOLIDAY DRINKS

affinity cocktail

Daiquiri the Halls

3/4 oz scotch 3/4 oz sweet vermouth 3/4 oz dry vermouth 2 dashes Angostura bitters Add all ingredients to mason jar, fill halfway with ice and stir with a long spoon. Strain into a coupe. Haven’t told your parents about your Noam Chomsky tattoo yet? Break the ice with this boozy drink.

2 oz brandy 3/4 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec 3/4 oz lemon juice 1/4 oz simple syrup

Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. If you don’t have a shaker, a mason jar with a lid works just as well. Shake and strain mixture into a coupe and garnish with a lime wedge. Drink a couple more. Redecorate your childhood bedroom. Why not?

By Liam McMillin

Holiday Cheer-y Chauncey

SIDECAR

1 oz rum 3/4 oz lime juice 1/2 oz simple syrup 1/4 oz St. Germain

From festive ragers to intimate gatherings with friends, no holiday party is complete without a selection of creative cocktails. This delectable collection of boozy beverages is sure to spice up any event this holiday season. Even your bartender friends will be impressed by these festive and easy-to-make drinks!

Add all the ingredients to shaker or mason jar, fill with ice, shake and strain into a coupe. Put on your Snoopy hat and goggles, sit on top of the dog house and pretend. Just pretend.

2 oz gin 1 oz lemon juice 1/2 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur 1/2 tsp sugar 3 cherries (pitted)

Muddle the cherries and sugar in the bottom of your favorite wide-mouth mason jar with a wooden spoon, or that novelty “Louisville Slugger” mini baseball bat your dad got you 14 years ago. Add the rest of the ingredients, fill with ice, cover and shake vigorously. Strain into a tall glass and add fresh ice. Add a fresh cherry on top for garnish.

3/4 oz gin 3/4 oz rye whiskey 3/4 oz sweet vermouth 3/4 oz brandy Add all ingredients to jar, fill halfway with ice and stir with a long spoon, then strain into a coupe. This is a super boozy drink that also makes you look really classy. It pairs well with a feather boa and novelty sunglasses at your neighbor’s holiday party.

Calendar

Design by Andrea Wang Recipes and text by Liam McMillin

CHALLaH Capella Concert Friday, Dec. 9, 9:30–10:30 p.m Fairchild Chapel

Art Walk Friday, Dec. 9, 7–9 p.m. Allen Memorial Art Building

Last Organ Pump of 2016 Friday, Dec. 9, 11:59 p.m.–1 a.m. Finney Chapel

OC Aerialists Present: Olympus Saturday, Dec. 10, 7–7:45 p.m. Hales Gymnasium

Koffee with Krislov Monday, Dec. 12, 8:30–10 p.m. Azariah’s Café

Enjoy a variety of tunes from Oberlin’s only Jewish a cappella group as a lighthearted break from end-of-semester stress. CHALLaH Capella was founded in 2012 and performs music from genres spanning rock, pop, folk and more. The Friday concert, titled “Winter is Coming”, is a heartwarming way to embrace the cold season.

Art Walk, which happens at the end of every semester, is a display of student work from studio art classes. Art Walk for Fall 2016 art classes will showcase work from photography to sculpture to printmaking and more. The event will also feature “Half Time,” an exhibition by Studio Art majors, in the Art Building’s Fisher Gallery. Come celebrate the accomplishments of your peers at Art Walk!

Organ Pump events feature performances on Finney’s majestic C.B. Fisk Opus 116 organ. But if you’re imagining an evening of stuffy baroque music, think again — pieces are interspersed with jokes, skits and general hilarity. Join Conservatory organ majors at midnight to witness this holiday-themed musical experience.

Some people are scared of heights, but some strive to reach them. This Saturday, the OC Aerialists will present a breathtaking aerials showcase. The show, inspired by Greek mythology, will feature a variety of gravity-defying performances including partner acrobatics, trapeze and acts with aerials silks.

Join Oberlin College President Marvin Krislov and Dean of Students Meredith Raimondo for the ever-popular Koffee with Krislov. Not only is this a convenient study break, but it is also a chance to hang out with Krislov before his departure from Oberlin in 2017. Coffee and cookies will be served at this event.

AMAM Tuesday Tea — With Professor Laura Baudot Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2:30–4 p.m. Allen Memorial Art Museum Associate Professor of English Laura Baudot will be presenting a talk titled “William Hogarth’s Sense of Time” about British printmaker William Hogarth, who was fascinated with the passage of time. His prints, which featured traditional depictions of 18th-century London, are about time and death.

HOLIDAY DRINKS

affinity cocktail

Daiquiri the Halls

2 oz brandy 3/4 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec 3/4 oz lemon juice 1/4 oz simple syrup

By Liam McMillin

Holiday Cheer-y Chauncey

SIDECAR

1 oz rum 3/4 oz lime juice 1/2 oz simple syrup 1/4 oz St. Germain

Add all the ingredients to shaker or mason jar, fill with ice, shake and strain into a coupe. Put on your Snoopy hat and goggles, sit on top of the dog house and pretend. Just pretend.

2 oz gin 1 oz lemon juice 1/2 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur 1/2 tsp sugar 3 cherries (pitted)

Calendar

Design by Andrea Wang Recipes and text by Liam McMillin

CHALLaH Capella Concert Friday, Dec. 9, 9:30–10:30 p.m Fairchild Chapel

Art Walk Friday, Dec. 9, 7–9 p.m. Allen Memorial Art Building

Last Organ Pump of 2016 Friday, Dec. 9, 11:59 p.m.–1 a.m. Finney Chapel

OC Aerialists Present: Olympus Saturday, Dec. 10, 7–7:45 p.m. Hales Gymnasium

Koffee with Krislov Monday, Dec. 12, 8:30–10 p.m. Azariah’s Café

Arts The Oberlin Review

Page 10

December 9, 2016

Professor Duo Bows Brahms, Shares Bows

Eilish Spear Staff Writer

The Oberlin Orchestra will take the stage in Finney Chapel to perform its final concert of the semester tonight at 8 p.m. With a program featuring selections from Sergei Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo and Juliet, as well as Johannes Brahms’ Double Concerto for Violin and Cello, which features Conservatory professors David Bowlin, OC ’00, and Amir Eldan, the concert is sure to impress. For director Rafael Jiménez, Prokofiev’s masterful suite from Romeo and Juliet holds significance beyond its exquisite composition. The second work on the program, it is a core part of a professional orchestral repertoire, appearing on countless auditions. Jiménez said it is crucial that Conservatory students be exposed to the suite while still in school.

The piece was originally written for the ballet in 1935, and Prokofiev later distilled the music into three Suites for Orchestra. The selections performed tonight come from all three Suites, and, according to Jiménez, comprise “probably the most beautiful music to conduct in the pit for a ballet production.” The piece will follow the Brahms, wrapping up an emotional evening. Brahms wrote his Double Concerto in 1887, and it was one of the only works ever written for this specific instrumentation: violin and cello soloists with a full orchestra. Brahms dedicated the work to his friend and violinist Joseph Joachim, to all appearances as a backhanded olive branch. Joachim, one of the world’s greatest violinists, and Brahms were inseparable friends until Joachim divorced his wife, singer Amalie Schneeweiss. Brahms took Sch-

neeweiss’ side, and the pair did not speak again until Brahms asked Joachim to premier his Double Concerto. Eldan had doubts about the sincerity of the gesture, given the fact that the cello part is significantly harder and more virtuosic than the part Brahms wrote for his friend. “I am wondering why the cello part is so much better than the violin part! What kind of gift is that? I would take it back,” said Eldan, who plays the cello. “I mean, it’s an incredible piece, but the cello begins the first movement, the cello begins the second theme, the cello begins the last movement. So you’ve got to wonder. ... Obviously there was still a little bit of hard feelings.” Bowlin and Eldan share a close personal friendship, which they said is crucial to their collaborations. The pair quipped that their rehearsals are “60 percent joking

Conservatory professors Amir Eldan (left), cellist, and David Bowlin, OC ’00, violinist, join director Rafael Jiménez and the Oberlin Orchestra for its first winter concert. They will both perform solos in Johannes Brahms’ Concerto for Violin and Cello. Photos Courtesy of Amir Eldan and David Bowlin

around, 20 percent socializing, five percent intonation work and rehearsal for the rest,” teasing each other throughout their joint interview with a familiarity that bodes well for their performance of Brahms’ Double Concerto tonight. They’ve been performing together since 2007 as members of the Oberlin Trio, and both have prolific solo careers in addition to their teaching responsibilities. Bowlin, a graduate of Oberlin, went on to study at Juilliard School of Music and has since performed recitals and concertos across the United States. He is a founding member of the International Contemporary Ensemble, which tours worldwide and influences his playing. “I divide my performing time between new music and old music,” Bowlin said. “For me, I have to have both in order to feel that I have some balance between memory and newness.” A graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music and Juilliard, Eldan was the youngest member of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra at the age of 22, and has since performed around the world. He performed with the Met Chamber Ensemble at Carnegie Hall, and was invited to serve as principal cellist of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in 2011–12. Both soloists clearly love the piece in spite of the challenges associated with such a dramatic shift away from their usual piano trio repertoire. “The orchestra part is not secondary to the soloists,” Bowlin said. “The soloists sort of interweave with the orchestra, but the orchestra gets to play the theme and it’s really symphonic.” Compared with a chamber group, however, an orchestra represents a huge and unwieldy apparatus, incorporating a huge number of moving parts and musical perspectives. “It’s a beast,” Eldan said of the piece.

“Playing with orchestra requires more planning in order for you to have a cultivated performance,” Bowlin said. “You have to talk about where you want to take time and so forth. In chamber music ... you can change things more easily at the last second, because if someone has an idea, and they do something differently, the others can respond.” That’s not the case with a hundred-person orchestra. “You have to plan the surprises,” Eldan added. The additional complexity of having two soloists is not lost on orchestra or conductor. “You’re adding another artist making decisions, so the level of complexity rises a little bit, but I would say the level of fun rises a little bit, too,” Jiménez said. “It just makes it more interesting and more challenging.” Well worth its challenges, tonight’s program will be highly dramatic. “We’re dealing with beautiful, wonderful music,” Jiménez said. “Brahms has the ability of creating this unique sonority of an extended string instrument. ... [He] does a great job in creating another instrument out of [the violin and cello].” With its grand, late-Brahmsian sound, the concerto poses a challenge to the orchestra, soloists and audience alike and is sure to evoke a myriad of reactions. All this will be followed by Romeo and Juliet. “What else can be said about one of the most wonderful stories ever written? It’s another opportunity to prove how much we enjoy being sad, ... to experience the power of music and how much we enjoy these deep emotions, even though these are not the emotions we like to feel in real life,” Jiménez said. “We’re going to leave the audience with, as Victor Hugo said, ‘the pleasure of being sad.’”

Musicians Galvanize Support For Standing Rock Julia Peterson Production Editor

Since the founding of Oberlin Conservatory in 1865, music has been one of the Oberlin community’s most powerful attributes. Now, with sociopolitical tensions from Standing Rock, ND, to the White House coming to a head, music stands to join both faculty-led and student organized conversations and movements as it becomes an increasingly potent form of activism. Last Wednesday’s teach-in, “Music Activism,” discussed this trend, and Saturday night saw another example with a student-run event called “Water is Life: Benefit Fest for Standing Rock Sioux,” which raised nearly a thousand dollars that will be donated to the Standing Rock Medic and Healer Council. On Sunday, the Army Corps of Engineers denied Energy Transfer Partners an easement permit that would allow them to

route the pipeline through Standing Rock. Though the Corps promised to find an alternate route, ETP is likely to fight this decision, which means that the funds raised by this event and others like it will still contribute to the affected population of the North Dakota reservation. For College senior Izzie Levinson, who hosted the event at her home, the show’s evolution from an ordinary performance to a fundraising event — and its ensuing success — came as a surprise. After the idea to raise money for Standing Rock via an entrance fee became a reality, the event’s organizers decided to let bands continue to play for as long as they kept coming — and come they did. Initially, bands were scheduled to perform from 7–10 p.m. In the end, so many bands and musicians were interested in taking the stage that the event lasted well into the early hours of the morning. AJAMINA, Tom from the store, Thee Hundos, Sammy

Mellman, The World All Around, Hypno, Julia Julian, Zink + Xuan Rong and Sarah Snider each played a set. To double-degree senior and event organizer Griffin Jennings, the benefit was ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

In the end, so many bands and musicians were interested in taking the stage that the event lasted well into the early hours of the morning. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– particularly timely in relation to the recent surge of activism in the wake of the U.S. presidential election. “Right now is a time that musicians and artists should devote their work to activism, Jennings said. “Especially Con musicians. If you want to be an active con-

tributor to society, you shouldn’t think of yourself just as somebody who upholds an artistic tradition. You should think of yourself as part of society.” Jennings’ position reflects the broader discussions taking place within the Conservatory about the meaning of music as a form of activism in 2016 and beyond. Conservatory professors Jennifer Fraser and Fredara Hadley, along with Associate Dean Chris Jenkins, hosted the “Music Activism” teach-in last Wednesday. The group organized the event in the wake of the election, in response to students searching for advice and direction about how to affect social change through music. The main goal of the teach-in was to gather the collective knowledge and experience in the room into a document to be shared with the wider community called See Music, page 12

The Oberlin Review, December 9, 2016

Arts

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On The Record with Matthew Rarey, African Art Scholar Assistant Professor of the Arts of Africa of the black Atlantic Matthew Rarey joined Oberlin’s Art History department in fall 2015 and has since made strides toward building a comprehensive African art history curriculum for students. The first professor in his position at Oberlin, his background ranges from the study of Andean archaeology to the study of the ways in which African art developed during and after crossing the Atlantic with an emphasis on its presence in Brazil. His work has been published in many volumes, most recently in the Dictionary of Caribbean and Afro-Latin American Biography. Before arriving at Oberlin, he taught at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Carthage College and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Recently, he was chosen by the Allen Memorial Art Museum to helm the re-installation of its African collection with the help of the students in his seminar class. Professor Rarey sat down with the Review to discuss his perspective on interpreting African history, his vision for the new African collection and his upcoming book. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. How do you interpret African history in contrast to common conceptions of what is primitive or past? I like these big, general questions. They get me thinking about my real motivations as a scholar. I’m a specialist in what I call African and black Atlantic art history. … My research is … based on the African continent, but it’s also privileging trans-oceanic and trans-cultural exchanges, both to the Americas and back from the Americas, back into Africa. One of the main points that all of my classes make is that Africa is not a given concept. Africa is an idea that has been carefully constructed and reified and defined in certain ways over the past couple hundred years to give it meaning. And unfortunately, the meaning that has been given in a lot of public discourse is associated with words like “primitive,” “traditional,” “homogenous” ... [and] maybe “culturally underdeveloped.” The point that I want to make in my classes is that with a billion people, 50 countries [and] countless ethnic groups, emphasizing [Africa’s] diversity is just step one. The other thing to emphasize is ... [that] the idea that African cultural practice is somehow bounded and unchanging is not only not true on the continent of Africa — it’s never been true anywhere. So what I try to do in my classes, and the way that I think about history, is emphasizing cultural production on the African continent as historically involved in exactly the same kinds of trans-national and trans-cultural processes, questions of modernity, questions of colonialism and imperialism that are deeply implicated on the continent — involving histories of the continent as not just adding African history to a longstanding discourse, but saying that Africa is part of the West. Africa is part of modernity, and has been participating in those questions and in those discourses for centuries. How do you represent heterogeneity over the axis of time in a museum collection? Part of the problem that a number of “Western” institutions have when they create a display of African art is that they’re bounded by the kinds of objects that are in their collections

already. And the problem is that most African objects that were collected by Western museums were collected not to represent the cultural realities of the African continent. They were collected to represent what Westerners thought Africa should be. So that’s already creating an inherent bias. And usually, what that was, was wooden sculptures and masks that were produced sometime between the end of the 19th and the early 20th [centuries]. So, the majority of the collection that we have here is that. And I made it a strong point in the installation to deemphasize that, and to re-emphasize other kinds of objects that are important to the collection that each bring out a major theme. ... The oldest piece that we have in the collection is an ivory salt cellar. It’s a couple of feet tall, and it’s attributed to a man named “The Foliage Master,” who we know was running an ivory carving workshop in present-day Sierra Leone sometime around 1500 [CE]. At that time, Portuguese merchants were actually trading with local peoples along this part of the West African coast, in the area between Senegal and Sierra Leone. They weren’t colonists. So, we already need to ditch the idea that all European presence in Africa has always had to do with colonialism. This was actually not a colonial situation. What we’re talking about is foreign Portuguese merchants who were interested in trading gold and ivory and spices and things like that with local West African groups on very equal terms. Those Portuguese merchants became interested in the local ivory carvers and local ivory trade, and they actually worked with local carvers to commission a number of objects. One of these — this salt cellar we have on display — is the product of that. So the general form was commissioned by the Portuguese, and then the finishing touches were put on there by this local carver. … On the base, there are images of four men who are actually men of Portuguese descent, but they display scarifications on their [chests], which indicates that they had been assimilated into local society. That salt cellar is also made for export. … So the oldest piece of African art that we have in the collection was actually produced to be sold to Europeans. It’s a tourist piece. It is a product of cultural interactions between people who now live in areas that are called Europe and Africa, and it was a product of a trans-cultural encounter that was on relatively equal terms. … When we have this idea that Africa was in itself until the slave trade came along, and until colonialism came along, this object really disproves that. That starts one of these historical conversations. What was involved in getting this exhibit to happen? To the best of my knowledge, I am the first person to teach African Art History at Oberlin College, which I think — and which I think everyone else on campus thought — was very long overdue, especially given the history of this campus. … The Allen Memorial Art Museum has been collecting African art longer than almost every institution in the United States. The earliest acquisition date on a piece that we have is an ivory tusk from Angola that entered the [ethnographic] collection in 1904, which is 13 years prior to even the founding of the museum, and is much earlier than

the arrival of most African objects into U.S.-based collections, which happened more in the ’20s and the ’30s. Ironically, pieces were only collected piece-meal over the course of the 20th century, and there had been some rumblings that they were going to hire someone to the position that I now occupy. In 2011, ... around 50 objects [were donated] in honor of ... Alexandra Gould, who graduated from Oberlin [that year]. That basically doubled the size of the African collection in a single evening. Meanwhile, with that small number of objects, the museum has also never had a full-time curator of African art. … The African art is technically under the purview of the Modern and Contemporary curator at the museum, because most of the pieces were produced in the 20th century. So already, we’ve got these conceptions of modernity. ... The director of the museum, Andria Derstine, approached me, … and she asked me if I would spearhead [the new exhibit]. Do you have control over the blurbs for the objects? Yes! The museum was really great; [they] gave me and my class — the seminar that I’m teaching on this — complete creative control over the labels. And there was a lot of discussion about how those labels would be written specifically for the African objects, which we think have different considerations in terms of their labeling than maybe European works might. ... Yeah, they gave us total freedom over that. What is the difference between approaching a European label and approaching an African label? That may be too much of a generalization. … But let’s say, if you walk into an exhibit of works by Claude Monet — just to use that really typical, famous French impressionist artist — every single label on one of Monet’s paintings is going to say, “Claude Monet, French.” Only two works that are going to go on display in the African gallery have a name of an artist attached to them. In every situation — and the only two works that have the name of an artist attached to them are by well known, trans-nationally visible contemporary African artists who have been producing work since the 1960s and onward — for almost every other object, especially those objects which were produced in the late 19th century, early 20th, we don’t have artists’ names attached to them. Often, that’s for a number of different reasons. The most obvious one is that Europeans who collected — and in some cases, to be frank, stole — these objects had no interest in recording the names of the people who made them. In other cases, it’s actually a product that in the societies and the cultural milieu in which these objects were produced, the idea of an individual artist, the way that we think of it, wasn’t even operational. There’s no conception that someone made something individually. We address this in the opening label to the installation. There’s one piece that’s going to go on display where, … technically, the artist for it is a spiritual force who came to a spirit medium in a dream, and then told the spirit medium what the object should look like. That spirit medium is then responsible for going to a carver who gives the piece that form. So attributing it just to

Assistant Professor of the Arts of Africa Matthew Rarey is spearheading the Allen Memorial Art Museum’s re-installation of its African collection. Photo Courtesy of Matthew Rarey

that carver actually obscures some of the cultural history of the subject. Given that wide diversity, we have really different conceptions of what that should mean. We were faced with a real problem of, “So, what do we put on all the labels?” What we ended up going with was a conflation of both the cultural group and the word “artist,” because we felt it was important to acknowledge that here in Ohio, we need to talk about these objects as art, because people may be coming into the museum and not thinking about them that way. So, in the place of a lack of name, we have something like Yoruba — which is a main cultural group in Nigeria — Yoruba artist, or Luba artist, or Baule artist. Other museums are tackling this problem in other ways; some of them say things like “anonymous” or “unidentified” or “unknown” or “unrecorded.” But the thing that we didn’t want to do is say something like “Yoruba peoples,” which gets done a lot. The reason we didn’t want to do that is because it makes it seem like all 10 million Yoruba people made this one object. Or that they’re all the same, and that they’re all unchanging. We really wanted to bear down on the idea of individual creativity and historical agency for African peoples. With that, we also made an insistence that the objects should all be labeled with their local African names and those names appear first on the labels. To the best of my knowledge, this is pretty unprecedented in a U.S. museum. Most museums will have a rough English translation of what the name of an object is first, and then in parentheses put the African name, if they do so. I was pretty insistent that I wanted the African name first because that’s the name of the object. And then you put the translation in parentheses. So there was a ton of discussion about that between me and the students. What are you working on now? I have a book to write, which somehow I have to get on. ... Right now, it is both a history of and a discussion of the cultural implications of this artistic practice that has ... never really been discussed before in art history. ... In the 1730s, in Lisbon, Portugal, there were a bunch of enslaved African priests who were put on trial for sorcery and witchcraft. The reason that they were put on trial is because

they were manufacturing little tiny pouches that they would sell, basically to everyone in town — not only other Africans, but upper-class whites, too, and everyone in between. They sold those pouches with the promise that they would protect from malevolent spiritual forces and dangers. Some of those pouches actually still survive, attached to their trial records in the National Archive in Lisbon, which makes them some of the oldest extant objects produced by enslaved Africans whose names we actually know, and whose biographies we can trace somewhat. And so, the history that I trace is that these pouches — which were called mandinga, which is the name of a West African ethnic group — were made by Africans, usually who were enslaved in Africa around present-day Benin in Nigeria, [who] were eventually enslaved and taken to Brazil and then who finally had made their way to Portugal. So they’re these amazing cross-Atlantic biographies and histories. But ... the objects they’re producing are small and ephemeral, and if you didn’t know what they were, you’d think they were trash, and in fact that’s a word that is frequently taken up in the trial records by the people who were accusing them. I’m pretty convinced at this point that these objects pose some fundamental questions about the discipline of art history and African diaspora studies — questions about what ... African continuity in the Atlantic world [means], and to who, questions about how enslaved Africans were dealing with that position and the aesthetic practices that they’re taking up to talk about slavery for themselves, and also questions of the kind of artistic practices that Africans found really important in their own lives that are just completely marginalized from mainstream art-historian discourse. So you’re not going to see a small pouch like this on display in a museum. No one’s collecting that; no one’s writing about it. And yet there’s something about these objects which they perceived as culturally and aesthetically really central and important to their identity and their practice. So I’m trying to talk about what the big implications of that are. Interview by Christian Bolles, Arts editor

Page 12

Arts

Music Activism Makes Waves at Oberlin Continued from page 10 “Music Activism: What Can We Do?” The document contains specific suggestions for actions that musicians can take to actively address, make sense of and survive the current political climate. It also includes thoughts on effective strategizing and allyship, music as catharsis and the various forms of musical activism. When the organizers of “Music Activism” learned about Saturday’s benefit, they expressed enthusiasm about the event as one example of how music and activism can intersect in the Oberlin community. “A lot of the organizing comes from the student angle,” Fraser said. “I’m really delighted to know that students are out there mobilizing outside of class.” Hadley agreed, adding that popular conceptions of mobilization tend to focus exclusively on the importance of coordinated efforts. “It’s people doing what they can, where they are,” Hadley said. “If you have an idea like [having] a party, which you were probably doing anyways, and [using] that for someone else’s benefit, ... that’s activism.” She was adamant about framing musicianship as a political act, regardless of whether a musician is undertaking a project that they specifically think of as

activism. “I tell students all the time, ... you don’t just practice to sharpen your technical ability with your music,” she said. “You also practice your politics around music. You don’t just wake up one day and decide, ‘I’m going to have politics around music.’ … You are deciding where you play, who you play with, the repertoire you play, the music you compose, if you choose to participate in fundraisers or not. All of those things are choices.” College junior Ellie Lezak, who attended the benefit, traveled to Standing Rock for seven days just before Thanksgiving break. After voicing her support for efforts like Saturday’s event, she emphasized the role that music played on site at Standing Rock. “Standing Rock itself — the camp, Oceti Sakowin — is a ceremony,” she said. “And throughout this ceremony there was music happening at all times, in all places, especially around ... the sacred fire, which is a really important part of Lakota traditions. … Around this fire at all times there were people drumming and singing all these traditional Lakota songs. ... Until the 1970s, it was illegal for anyone to actually practice them because the U.S. government was systematically trying to extinguish Native American culture and history.”

Hadley voiced a similar perspective on the contextual importance of past oppression, asserting that the past is the key to present activism even as modern political events have given causes like that of Standing Rock an increased sense of urgency. “We have seen moments where musicians were compelled to act in a sustained way before,” she said. “I think about the LGBTQ movement in the ’90s — you had a series of pop musicians finding different ways to display their advocacy for that movement. You had the Civil Rights movement, the labor movement, the antiwar movement — so we’ve had moments of this surge of political activity before. If history is an indicator of what will happen now, I do believe that we will see a prolonged and sustained effort.” College sophomore Emma Doyle, who helped organize the Water is Life benefit, is similarly optimistic about the future of musical activism at Oberlin. She believes that our vibrant musical community is fertile ground for the effort that Hadley described. “It would be nice for us to look beyond our tiny town and try to put it to good use,” she said. “The two dollars at the door that was asked for ... was not that much for everybody, but it made a big impact.”

New Pokémon Editions Sun, Moon Nostalgic Avi Vogel Staff Writer There’s something about video games that ties gamers to their childhood. Although games are constantly evolving to keep up with the times, there are some with a rare ability to harken back to their predecessors. For many, the Pokémon series sits on a pedestal of nostalgia; an old go-to that exemplifies everything they love about games. Pokémon Sun and Moon, the two newest entries simultaneously released Nov. 18 by developer Game Freak, bring the most innovation to the series since Pokémon Gold and Silver while retaining the series’ playability and its nostalgic appeal. Creaturecollecting games with light role-playing elements, the experience focuses on leveling up Pokémon and building a wellrounded team that can get you through the challenges and battles that come your way. To a certain extent, Sun and Moon are exactly what you’d expect. The player begins as a child in a new place, chooses their first Pokémon from a selection of three and moves through the world catching new ones in order to become the best trainer in the region. Even if you’re not caught up with the series, the pieces of Sun and Moon quickly fall into place. But that’s not to say that everything is the same. The uniqueness of their setting is one the games’ best attributes. Most installments define their worlds aesthetically; for example, Pokémon X and Y’s architecture and clothing were inspired by France and other parts of Europe. In contrast, Sun and Moon take place in a region called Alola, heavily influenced by Hawaii’s geography and culture. Instead of shallow appropriation, Game Freak crafted a varied chain of four islands, each with its own subculture of towns and people. These islands are populated by non-player characters ranging from sight-seers to kahunas, the games’ stand-in for the gym leaders of Pokémon past. With the introduction of a wider range of characters, the games begin to distinguish themselves from previous entries.

Long-time fans of the Pokémon series will appreciate the removal of “Hidden Machines” — better known as “HMs” — from the games. In previous titles, you had to sacrifice one of four ability slots to accommodate for a lesser ability necessary for physically navigating the world. Game Freak has eliminated the dated system, instead giving you access to an item that summons Pokémon according to the player’s specific needs, such as flying and surfing. This change does wonders to the games’ customization, allowing unfettered tweaking of pets. Another change to an old standby is even more surprising: the elimination of gyms, static areas for training Pokémon. Instead, Sun and Moon introduce the “challenge” system. Granted to the player by individuals appointed as captains by a high-ranked kahuna, these tasks vary drastically. Some are simple, necessitating the defeat of a set amount of enemies in an area. Others are more creative, such as scouring for ingredients to make food. Each one of these challenges is fun and surprising, ending in a tense battle with a Totem Pokémon, a creature variation more powerful than its usual form. Despite the excitement of these missions, they can make leveling up Pokémon difficult at times in comparison to the more focused training grounds that the gyms of previous games provided. Sun and Moon also introduce little usable items called Z-crystals, which have replaced X and Y’s mega-evolutions, gained from completing island challenges and found scattered throughout the game’s environment. When equipped to a Pokémon that can hold it, a Z-crystal can unleash one super-powered move per fight. These moves can easily turn the battle in the player’s favor when backed into a corner; conversely, when used against the player, they’re forced to come up with new strategies on the fly. The crystals foster an interesting give-and-take dynamic that adds another layer of strategy to what can sometimes be an overly simplified RPG. Finally, Pokémon encountered in the game’s wild areas now have the ability to call for companions to fight against the

player. Whether help comes or not is up to chance, but if they do, the new foe adds tension to what would otherwise be an ordinary encounter. At times, though, this became tedious. You might wipe out one enemy, only to have another appear when you’ve expended your moves. But this, along with the other additions, constitutes a strong argument against the assertion that Pokémon is a repetitive series. Even with this new roster of features, Sun and Moon wouldn’t be a great Pokémon game without an expanded selection of the series’ signature companions. Alola has its fair share of new Pokémon, and though the three starting creatures are — as with other recent generations — lacking, those found in the wild are consistently cool, with a few uninspired exceptions. But it’s with older Pokémon that Sun and Moon do truly interesting things. There are a fair share of series veterans in Alola, ranging from first-generation mainstays (think Pikachu) to later add-ons. In another first-time step for the franchise, Sun and Moon feature Alolan variants on these classic creatures, gaining new types, moves and looks. Some players might be upset by these changes, but it’s exciting to see Pokémon you knew as a kid make their comebacks in unpredictable ways. Threaded through these systems is a story about the player undertaking the island’s challenges as a newcomer. The player makes friends with a large cast of well-realized characters, and there’s even some nice subversion of plot expectations. Sun and Moon might have the best base plot of any games in the series so far, but things thin out once that plot is over. With the exception of an incredible surprise for generation-one fans, the end-game content is sparse. One can capture legendary Pokémon and creatures called Ultra Beasts, but these can be tedious, and some players will lose interest after the main story is complete. Despite all of these changes, Sun and Moon are Pokémon games through and through. It’s a simple breath of nostalgia in a changing time; a little bit of old, a lot of new and, most importantly, just as much fun.

The Oberlin Review, December 9, 2016

OMTA’s Spring Awakening Ethereal, Woke Brendan Eprile Staff Writer Editor’s note: This article contains descriptions of sexual and domestic abuse, depression and suicide. The Oberlin College Theater Department presented a stunning and poignant rendition of Spring Awakening over the weekend. The musical is an exploration of the emotional turmoil of teenage sexuality, love and angst. Despite its late 19th-century setting, several of the themes it addresses — such as abortion, sexual and domestic violence, depression and suicide — remain highly relevant to today’s social and political discourse. While the societal climate surrounding many of these issues has shifted drastically over the last century, the narrative still speaks to the persistence of violence and repression today and serves as a reminder of just how far from solved these issues are. The story’s emotional impact was enhanced by Oberlin’s staging of the musical, with its vibrant, swirling colors and ethereal lighting, as well as the intimate seating arrangement. Audience members were seated on what normally serves as a stage, offering a simple black-box experience and more spatial flexibility for the choreography, as well as closer proximity to the cast. Melchior Gabor, the musical’s complex male lead, was brilliantly portrayed by College senior Shane Lonergan. Melchior is the only character to truly question the repressive society he lives in. While he is in many ways the musical’s protagonist, his character also contains a much more disturbing side revealed when he cruelly beats his lover, Wendla Bergman (played by double-degree senior Amy Weintraub), at her request, and when he coerces her into sex before she is ready. The nuances of Lonergan’s performance brought to life a character violently alienating in his ignorance yet sympathetic in his struggle, culminating in the emotional penultimate scene and his realization that he is partly to blame for the deaths of his best friend Moritz Stiefel (played by College sophomore Joe Owens), who took his own life, and Wendla, who died from complications of a botched abortion after being shunned for carrying Melchior’s child. One of the few hopeful scenes in the play was between Hanschen Rilow and Ernst Robel, played by College sophomores Kieran Minor and Casey McKinney respectively. The scene of the two boys confessing their love for each other was comedic, poignant and tender. It lent an otherwise largely tragic story a glimmer of hope, that perhaps the younger generation wasn’t doomed to live forever subject to the strict gender and sexual norms demanded by their parents. The play is, at its core, about teenagers trying to break free from society’s rigid expectations. Some characters fought against these expectations while others gave in. The play reminds us that even to this day we are fighting for a world that is more accepting, openminded and transparent. With heartfelt acting and stellar musicianship, Oberlin’s production of Spring Awakening brought its audience on an emotional journey not many will soon forget.

The Oberlin Review, December 9, 2016

Arts

Page 13

Seven Poets to Vie for Coveted CUPSI Spots Victoria Garber Arts Editor OSlam will hold its annual Grand Slam in the Cat in the Cream Saturday at 8 p.m., showcasing an art form steeped in resistance and empowerment to conclude what has been an emotionally and politically fraught semester for many. Poetry slams are the competitive art of performed poetry, putting dual focus on both written and performed expression. Seven poets of different experience levels and undeniable skill will read and perform their work in front of a live audience, competing for space on the five-person College Union Poetry Slam Invitational team to represent Oberlin at the national college slam. Performance provides a different and more immediate level of connection between poet and audience, stripping away traditional degrees of separation that distance the voice from the speaker. “I’d say the biggest difference would definitely be the explosiveness, because you’re not going to get the same energy … within a literary context [as] spoken word or slam poetry, because there’s a lot more energy within the room, and you also get the inflections and more meaning from the writer through performance,” said College first-year Jalen Woods who, like many in the slam community, came to the form through exploration of those literary traditions. “I think it’s more about the performance of your piece than it is the piece itself,” College sophomore Hanne Williams-Baron said. “It’s important to bring a lot of energy and a lot of passion to what you’re performing, even if it’s a softer piece. You have to really become it, because if it’s on the page, then anyone can read it, but in competition if you want to progress to the next round, you have to bring it.” Although OSlam is an intra-

competitive team, the relationships and support the team fosters for its members is among the primary reasons these poets engage with their art form in the way that they do. “For me, slam is more about the community of people that do slam than necessarily the art form itself, just because I think –––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Performance provides a different and more immediate level of connection between poet and audience. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– slam poets, because it’s a political art form there are people who are — at least in Oberlin and the community that I’m involved with — really, really aware of themselves and the time that we’re living in,” Williams-Baron said. Poetry can be a deeply personal art form, and the performance aspect of spoken poetry breaches the divide between public and private in different ways, although the consensus seems to be that writing is personal and performed pieces should be chosen based on what a writer feels comfortable sharing in a given space. “I think I used to worry too much about writing for an audience,” College senior Christopher Puglisi said. “But now I completely refuse to alter my voice for slams. Spoken word is a space of personal truth and testimony, and I believe it would be detrimental to change that to fit a certain audience,” “I only write for myself, there isn’t a distinction between what I write for and outside of slams,” College senior Annika Hansteen Izora, co-president of OSlam, wrote to the Review. “I feel like if I write specifically for a slam, the writing becomes untrue. Writing is a healing practice for myself,

The full OSlam team poses outside the Kohl building. Seven of its members will compete at 8 p.m. in the OSlam Grand Poetry Slam at the Cat in the Cream to qualify for the 2017 CUPSI team. Photo by Octavia Morehope Bürgel

and every poem I write always needs to engage in that healing practice. I feel like when I am being heard, I am always being judged, no matter who the audience is, so those two spheres always merge for me.” Hansteen Izora also described the spoken word art form, often mistakenly conflated with the broader category of performance poetry, as being deeply rooted in Black culture. A resistant political art by definition, it imports aspects of other Black arts like hip-hop. “Spoken word is a poetic art form that only those that identify as a part of the Africana diaspora can engage in, as spoken word holds African roots, and spoken word’s engagement utilizes various forms of Black performance theory,” she wrote. “Like many African diasporic cultural traditions, spoken word

emphasizes the power of the word with rhythm,” Puglisi wrote. “For me, spoken word is transformative and is always engaged in critiquing and disrupting systems of power.” This is not to say that non–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Hansteen Izora also described the spoken word art form, often mistakely conflated with the broader category of performance poetry, as being deeply rooted in Black culture. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– African Americans and non-POC shouldn’t participate in or attend slams, which can showcase any performed poem. While slams

are, as Puglisi wrote, “inherently political spaces that invite the voices and narratives of marginalized identities,” performed poetry speaks to innumerable issues not exclusive to the African diaspora, such as LGBTQ and gender equality and the stigmas surrounding poverty, documentation status, mental illness, body shape and disability, to name a few. “I’m white, so spoken word is not available to me, but I do performance poetry, regular poetry that I read out loud, and I do them at slams,” Williams-Baron said. “I think it’s really up to the poet to know what room they’re in and bring different work depending on that, so I think about disruption a lot. … If I’m reading a poem in a room of thin people, I could read a poem about me being fat, and that could be disruptive [and] feel like a good use of my voice.”

Community Gathers For Meal Dedicated to Nepali Support Patrons enjoy Nepali food on the first floor of the Feve as part of a fundraiser led by Students United for Nepal. Participants enjoyed Nepali music and meals Tuesday from 9–11 p.m. in an effort to raise money to build classrooms in Nepal. A portion of each guest’s bill was donated to Nepal’s first free private school, Maya Universe Academy. The event comes in response to a visit home to Nepal by Oberlin Shansi fellow and College sophomore Bikalpa Baniya, who volunteered at Shighadevi Secondary School located in the rural Sindhupalchowk District after the devastating 2015 earthquake that killed 8,000 people. After bearing witness to the immense destruction, Baniya hoped to raise awareness of difficulties faced by Nepalese students today.

Text by Vida Weisblum, Editor-in-chief Photo by Pearse Anderson, Staff photographer

Sports

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In the Locker Room

Michael Lin and Devyn Malouf

This week, the Review sat down with first-year swimming and diving team members Devyn Malouf and Michael Lin to discuss their transition to college athletics, team camaraderie and personal improvements they have made throughout the season. In just a few months of college swimming, Malouf and Lin have already notched personal bests and logged top finishes. At Oberlin’s meet against Ohio Northern University on Nov. 12, Lin etched his name in the record books as he logged top10 all time finishes with a mark of 1 minute, 59.73 seconds in the 200-yard individual medley and 55.40 in the 100-yard backstroke. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

How did your previous experience in swimming help you be successful at the college level? Devyn Malouf: I started swimming when I was eight years old on a club team that took me all the way through my middle school and high school years. I had been doing doubles since I was 13, so I have been used to that type of training. So college swimming wasn’t a huge leap. The difference in training styles was the only big adjustment between coaches. Michael Lin: I’ve been swimming competitively for about 10 years now, and I swam for a club that was pretty intense, so it helped me build up my work ethic. I already knew what it was like to work really hard, so that prepared me a lot for college swimming. What is the difference between college meets and the meets you participated in with your club and high school teams? DM: The atmosphere is very different in college. At the college level, people really want

The Oberlin Review, December 9, 2016

sistant Coach Jesse [Gregory] is also great. ML: Both coaches are great. Andy is a really great guy. He swam the same races in college that I am now, so it’s a lot easier for him and I to talk about race strategy or training.

What are your individual goals for the rest of the season? DM: My goal for the past two years has been to break two minutes in the 200-meter freestyle. Otherwise, just learning how to swim my races better this season. I’m swimming a lot of races that I’ve never trained for before, so that’s been a learning experience. ML: My main goal is to improve — drop time. Some secondary goals would be to win a medal at the [NCAC Championships] or qualify for the national championship.

Michael Lin (left) and Devyn Malouf to be there. They worked really hard to get here. It’s a big time commitment and huge process that we go through. In the competitive setting, everyone is a lot more excited, eager to get better and passionate about it. ML: The biggest difference between college swimming and my club team is the interaction with the teammates. At a college swim meet, everyone is much more motivated for their teammates and supportive of each other, whereas when I swam before in high school and middle school, all everyone cared about was how they personally did. What is the camaraderie like on your team? DM: The camaraderie between the swim teams is awesome. We train together a lot.

The team gets really close, especially because we go from practice to dinner and all eat dinner together. We all travel together, so we are all hanging out in the hotel lobby. At meets, we always have people at every lane cheering every race, which I never had at my old club team. The team here is very encouraging and supportive on both sides. ML: All of the girls and guys, we all feel like brothers and sisters. We are all very close, just as if we were on the same team. How have you seen yourself improve during your first college season? DM: Time-wise, I’ve improved. I had a lifetime best for the first time in two years, which is awesome. I feel like my training is a lot more consistent and

I think that has a lot to do with our [Head Swimming and Diving] Coach Andy [Brabson]. ML: My season has been really great so far. I’ve made more progress in the past two months than I’ve had in the past three years, due to the fact that I’m enjoying swimming a lot more. All of my teammates are very encouraging, and I’m just enjoying that atmosphere a lot more than I did when I was in high school. How has your relationship been with the coaches? DM: I have a lot of respect for Andy. I think he knows a lot about swimming. He’s really good with explaining what his sets mean, and he’s very encouraging. He lost his voice at the meet [last weekend] because he was screaming so much. Our As-

What are your team goals? DM: I know the women’s team has talked about finishing in the top four of the conference. One of the challenges we face is that we are very small in comparison to a lot of other teams, so while we have a lot of depth, they have more people to put in and score points that way. A lot of our other team goals have been around encouraging each other and providing a really good network of support. That’s something we work on every day in the pool during practice. ML: I just want my teammates to continue to work hard and push each other. As long as we put in our best effort, then I’ll be satisfied with the results. Interview by Jackie McDermott, Sports editor Photo by Bryan Rubin Photo editor

Basketball Bounces Back Editorial: Sports Teams Moving to Sin City Continued from page 16 lor’s role. Santiago stepped up to the challenge in her third career start, posting nine points, nine rebounds and a career-high five assists. “With Tyler Parlor being out, I knew that I had to step up and fill a big role, especially in a conference game against Wooster,” Santiago said. “This was a win we needed to solidify and take. Staying calm and executing exactly what my coach wanted out on the floor translated to open shots and great defense for us.” First-year guard Sarah Thompson was also vital in the win against the Fighting Scots. Finishing with nine points, she was perfect from the three-point line, connecting on each of her three shots. The Manchester, MI, native said she believed the team was victorious due to a collective effort. “As a team, what went right for us was that everyone contributed,” Thompson said. “There were multiple people with nine and eight points, which made it hard for Wooster to guard. We also domi-

nated in the post, and our shots were going in.” The Yeowomen will attempt to maintain NCAC dominance as they face the Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops tomorrow at 1 p.m. This will be the first taste of conference action for the Bishops, who are 2–4 overall in the season. Jenkins said he isn’t looking to change his game plan against the Bishops or for the rest of the season. After earning the NCAC Coach of the Year Award last year, he has become the most successful coach in Oberlin women’s basketball history, recording 68 total victories. Last year, Oberlin swept Ohio Wesleyan. Tomorrow, the team hopes to exploit the Bishops’ defensive weaknesses, as they have the third-worst defense in the conference, allowing an average of 70 points per game. “We’re going to get the ball inside. We’re going to defend. We’re going to rebound. We’re going to take good shots. We’re going to play forty minutes,” Jenkins said. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to live with the results afterwards.”

Continued from page 16 tourism continue to skyrocket, Las Vegas will always be known for one unique aspect: gambling. Now that there is a prominent movement to legalize betting on professional games, the city is no longer repelling leagues and teams because of gambling. One of the main leaders pushing for the legalization of gambling in sports is NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “It’s good for business, I don’t want to hide from that,” Silver said in an interview on the Boomer & Carton show. “We all know as fans, if you have even, like, a gentleman’s bet or a $5 bet with your friend on a game, all of a sudden you’re a lot more interested.” Legalizing sports betting bodes well for the city, which, according to the University of Las Vegas, netted over $5 billion from gambling in 2013. With the increase in popularity among online fantasy sports, it also wouldn’t be surprising to see sports betting regulations loosened in the near future. The city could generate a great deal of revenue on fantasy sports users alone. Currently, 57.4 million users are participating ,while players ages 18 and over are spending an average of $556 per year on league-related dues. With professional teams moving to Las Vegas to enhance its sports culture, through just the popularity

of gambling, the city’s wealth would increase exponentially. Sports betting is an added attraction for fans in what is already nicknamed “The Gambling Capital of the World.” This could contribute to Las Vegas morphing into a prominent, largemarket sports city such as New York, Los Angeles or Chicago. The Vegas Golden Knights will launch Vegas sports culture when they take the ice at T-Mobile Arena next year. An NFL team may also come along soon to share the spotlight. The Oakland Raiders just announced that they are considering a move to Las Vegas. The city just approved a $750 million contribution to the approximately $2 billion domed stadium. Now, the Raiders will await approval from the NFL. In the meantime, Raiders owner Mark Davis remains committed to moving the team. “Las Vegas has already done what it is supposed to do, and we have to bring it up to the National Football League and get permission to move to Las Vegas,” Davis said to NFL owners during the league’s fall meetings in October. As excitement builds within Las Vegas, so does anticipation among the rest of the sports world. With the NBA having also expressed interest in moving to the city, Las Vegas may be hosting the Stanley Cup, Vince Lombardi Trophy and Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy sooner than we expect.

Sports

The Oberlin Review, December 9, 2016

Page 15

Heisman Club Gathers in D.C.

Track, Field Shines at CWRU Continued from page 16 Both teams’ first-years also made their marks in their debut college meet. First-year Dylan Rogers had a stellar performance in the 4x400 race, making up a nearly 10 meter deficit in the home stretch of his leg and helping the Yeomen to achieve a time 10 seconds faster than last year’s best mark. The relay team of Rogers, Tanford and sophomores Jabari Clemons and John Olsen clocked in at 2:32.23. Tanford said he was excited about the promise the rookies showed. “I was really impressed by the freshmen, because I know we’ve been practicing all fall, but this is our first look at them in a meet and they all did really, really well — which is exciting because we’re only going to get better as the season goes on,” Tanford said. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Oberlin Athletics alumni and members of the Heisman Club gathered in Washington, D.C., for a happy hour and networking event last Thursday. Heisman Club President-elect Carla WhiteFreyvogel, OC ’79, and Molly Powers and Jack Evans, both OC ’16, hosted the event. Delta Lodge Director of Athletics Natalie Winkelfoos represented the athletics department at the event. Attendees discussed the Heisman Club’s “OC Next” campaign, which encourages alumni, parents and friends to continue their support of departmental improvements in order to further enhance the experiences of current student-athletes. The Heisman Club has hosted gatherings all around the country recently. Earlier this fall, the group hosted gatherings in Chicago, Santa Monica, CA, and Boston. The organization typically plans events around athletic competitions to encourage

alumni to attend games. The Santa Monica event, for example, coincided with the volleyball team’s games against PomonaPitzer, Occidental College and Chapman University. The Heisman Club has been part of several new projects this fall, including fundraising for the Philips gym expansion. Construction on the addition is under way, with work expected to be completed in spring 2018. The Heisman Club also raised the funds to revamp the Heisman Hall of Fame display in the lobby of Philips gym. The new display was unveiled over Homecoming weekend, when the Heisman Hall of Fame inducted four new members. Text by Darren Zaslau, Sports editor Photo Courtesy of Natalie Winkelfoos

Cool or Drool: MLB’s New Luxury Tax Levels Playing Field Dan Bisno Columnist Sports fans always want to believe that their team has the same shot at winning as any other. While we all know that “fairness” is not clear-cut, perhaps no factor influences the outcomes of professional sports leagues more than the politics of player compensation. While most leagues have shifted toward a salary cap or restricted payroll, MLB continues to host massive payroll differentials between teams of varied financial capabilities. The league’s new contract-bargaining agreement was reached on Nov. 30, and while it will not include the long-awaited salary cap when it takes effect in 2017, it includes a stronger luxury tax that should level the financial playing field. In 2016, teams were allowed to pay their roster a total of $189 million before they were penalized with taxes. With the new deal, the threshold will rise to $195 million in 2017, and rise gradually each year until it reaches $210 million in 2021. When teams violate that threshold, they will be taxed by the league. Teams will be taxed 50 percent for the first $20 million over the threshold. Additionally, teams could face a 50 percent tax and 12 percent surcharge for the next $20 million, then a 50 percent tax and 42 percent surcharge for the next indefinite amount over the threshold. This change could curb the spending of the wealthiest teams, like the Los Angeles

Dodgers, who spent $291 million in 2015. The Dodgers essentially ignored the current system, the Competitive Balance Tax, which placed an overage tax on any payrolls above $189 million. In the 2017 season, that type of overspending will be utterly unsustainable. The Dodgers’ payroll will hover at around $193 million for 2017 if they do not re-sign key players Justin Turner and Kenley Jansen. That leaves a meager $2 million more to spend before they hit the threshold and have to start paying the luxury tax. Limiting the Dodgers’ payroll funds would create a vastly different team than in ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Perhaps no factor influences the outcomes of professional sports leagues more than the politics of player compensation. While most leagues have shifted toward a salary cap or restricted payroll, MLB continues to host massive payroll differentials between teams of varied financial capabilities. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– recent years. It would force the team to reevaluate its minor league system and other organizational needs as they consider how to make space in their payroll for expensive free agents.

Every few years, the MLB releases a contract-bargaining agreement designed to implement new rules and decisions that apply to all 30 teams. The last CBA was a 311page PDF released in 2011 that reads like a rulebook written by snarky sports lawyers. Despite its complicated language, it was meant to keep the peace in baseball. While this luxury tax is the clear shining star, the CBA provides other changes to the traditional MLB rulebook. Home-field advantage in the World Series will now go to the pennant winner with the better record. Smokeless tobacco is now banned. The minimum salary is also rising in the minor leagues despite the luxury tax. Perhaps no rule is more bizarre than players’ food allowance on the road decreasing sharply from $105 to $30 per day. However, teams will be required to supply food in the clubhouse. Overall, this soft salary cap has the potential to make the league fairer for less wealthy franchises, as well as decreasing the excessively rising salaries of MLB stars. As seen over the years, there is a clear link between the payroll and the success of a franchise — with only Cleveland’s team making the playoffs this past year of the teams with the 15-lowest payrolls. While there will still be decently sized payroll differentials between franchises in 2017, the future for baseball is less bleak. Unless you’re a Dodgers fan, the new CBA earns a COOL for promoting fairness in the MLB.

I was really impressed by the freshmen, because I know we’ve been practicing all fall, but this is our first look at them in a meet, and they all did really, really well. James Tanford Junior Captain ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– “Overall, I was really impressed with the energy, and there were a lot of really good performances, which is encouraging.” Track and field will see action again today at the Golden Flash Gala at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, competing against Division I, II and III teams. Tanford said he looks forward to being underestimated by the bigschool competitors. “In one aspect it’s almost a little intimidating … but it’s also really fun. Nobody really expects anything of us. If you’re Kent State, you’re going, ‘Who is Oberlin College — why are we running against them?’ We always go in and surprise a couple of people,” he said. Two years ago, when the squad traveled to Kent, Ohio, for the same meet, then-rookie Monique Newton dominated the shot-put event. She crushed opponents from big-name schools like Louisville, Kent State and several schools from the Big East Conference. “Yeah, it was a pretty good meet,” Newton said, laughing. Appenheimer said he hopes Newton and her teammates perform well and go into the winter break on a positive note. “This is their last competition before Winter Term, and given what we saw last Saturday, I think we’ll see even better things this time around,” he said.

Page 16

Sports The Oberlin Review

December 9, 2016

— track & Field —

NCAC Accolades Pour in for Track, Field Julie Schreiber Sydney Allen Production Editor Four athletes were recognized by the North Coast Athletic Conference as Athletes of the Week, and one sprinter broke a program record as both track and field teams dominated at their season opener at Case Western Reserve University. “I can’t remember a time where four of us have done this at the same time, which is just a testament to how hard we’ve worked and how good we feel right now,” said junior thrower Monique Newton. In an unprecedented sweep, the Yeowomen took NCAC Player of the Week honors in each track and field category. Newton was named field Athlete of the Week while sophomore distance runner Linnea Halsten earned the nod for her performance in distance. Sophomore Imani Cook-Gist was honored as sprinter of the week and earned a program record in the 60-meter dash. Cook-Gist finished with a 7.89 mark, breaking the record for the second time in just two years as a Yeowoman. Head Track and Field Coach Ray Appenheimer said he was thrilled with the performances of Cook-Gist and her teammates and hopes that they indicate a promising season ahead. “It was great — really, obviously [there were some] awesome performances,” said Appenheimer. “To start the season out like that is impressive, and I hope it speaks well to what’s coming next.” Halsten, returning to the track from a record-breaking cross country season in which she placed 53rd in the NCAA cross country championships, finished the women’s 3K in

Darren Zaslau Sports Editor

Sophomore sprinter and pole vaulter Imani Cook-Gist bested her own 60-meter dash record, posting a time of 7.89 seconds at the Case Western Reserve University Spartan Holiday Classic last Saturday. Cook-Gist was named the NCAC Sprinter/Hurdler of the Week. Photo Courtesy of OC Athletics

first place with a time of 10:25.22 minutes. On the men’s side, junior James Tanford was also awarded NCAC field athlete of the week. Tanford set a personal best in the triple jump with a mark of 41-02.50 and finished third in the long jump with a distance of 20.05.25. He said that after a long offseason, he and his teammates were eager to compete. “We’ve all been training since July, and we were really looking to get back out there,” Tanford said. “It’s hard to run with no goal

in sight, … so we’ve had this marked on our calendars for long time.” Appenheimer said he was proud not only of Tanford’s performance at the meet, but also in the example he has set as a captain. “James’ enthusiasm and leadership have been great throughout the season,” Appenheimer said. “It’s wonderful to see the payoff for that now.” See Track, page 15

— Women’s basketball —

Yeowomen Best Big Red to Stay Undefeated in NCAC Alex McNicoll Losing four of its first five games hasn’t stopped the women’s basketball team from dominating North Coast Athletic Conference play. With a 51–46 win against the Denison University Big Red Wednesday, Oberlin improved to 3–4 overall and to a perfect 3–0 in the NCAC. The Yeowomen, who currently sit atop the NCAC standings in a tie with DePauw University, have kept their game style simple. “We’re not a complicated team at all,” Head Coach Kerry Jenkins said. “We execute, we play hard, we defend, we take good shots and that’s it. We’re just trying to be us.” Against the Big Red, the Yeowomen struggled to find their offensive rhythm early on, trailing 24–16 at halftime. After a woeful second quarter in which Oberlin scored just two points, Jenkins fired up his squad to lead a strong finish. In the third quarter, the Yeowomen went on a 14–5 run to take a 34–33 lead. In the fourth quarter, Oberlin took control by using its height advantage in the paint. With the game tied 41–41, a bucket from junior Anna Moore put the Yeowomen in front. After a layup from junior Abby Andrews was equalized with a Denison basket, sophomore Olivia Canning hit a key jump shot with 1:13 left in play to put the Yeowomen ahead 47– 43. They maintained that lead for the rest of the game. Led by 11-point performances from Canning and sophomore Alex Stipano, Oberlin

NHL Bets on Vegas When people think of Las Vegas, they usually picture massive casinos, enticing slot machines and skyscraping hotels. But Sin City’s image may change soon. With the addition of the NHL’s new expansion team, the Vegas Golden Knights, and the potential of an NFL franchise arriving in the future, it’s fair to say that Las Vegas could become America’s new sports city. Excitement for the Golden Knights’ inaugural season has started to spread despite their first game being around 11 months away. Following the NHL’s June 22 announcement that Las Vegas won the expansion bid, the Golden Knights sold over 14,000 season tickets inside their future home, the T-Mobile Arena, which seats 17,500 fans. Two weeks ago, the team revealed its mascot and logo, giving the city a sports brand it can market to the rest of the world. Why do professional leagues want to start teams in Las Vegas? One obvious answer is that Las Vegas is one of the top 30 most populated cities in the United States. With over 610,000 people living in the city, the population has nearly doubled since 1992. It certainly has a large enough market for sports consumption. Tourism is also a key component of the city’s appeal to professional leagues. In 2011, the Las Vegas Strip was the fourth most-visited attraction in the United States, with 29.5 million visitors. Since then, the city’s tourism numbers have continued to improve. In 2015, a Las Vegas tourism record was set as 42 million people visited the city before New Year’s Eve. While population and See Editorial, page 14

Junior Tyler Parlor eyes her shot during a game against the University of Mount Union Nov. 28. After defeating Denison University 51–46 Wednesday, the Yeowomen are currently 3–4 overall and 3–0 in the NCAC. Photo Courtesy of OC Athletics

shot 40.9 percent from the field and held Denison’s shooting to just 28.8 percent. The Yeowomen also dominated the paint defensively, recording seven blocks with six different players. The team’s previous conference wins came in a 56–52 defeat over the Hiram College Terriers Nov. 19. The Yeowomen also logged a

68–47 win against the College of Wooster Fighting Scots Nov. 30. Prior to the crucial conference matchup versus Wooster, junior guard Tyler Parlor was benched with an injury. The Yeowomen looked to senior guard Bri Santiago to fill ParSee Basketball, page 14