<p>Rhapsody at Oberlin College
attended 1968-72</p>
<p>I have no idea why I'm writing this, except if it might interest those who wonder about Oberlin during the turbulent 1960's. The college has changed, and not changed, since those days. It was never the stereotype, then or now; it was always comprised of thoughtful individuals who cared about the world around themselves. This included their closest friends and others who dwell far-flung upon the same planet. For many, "being political" is a single ethic of care and concern, not a matter of "left" or "right" that makes Oberlin people memorable to each other, and agents of change in society.</p>
<p>Our class stats:</p>
<p>Freshman year: Entered weeks after the Chicago Democratic National Convention; came to Freshman orientation directly from Chicago where I went to see my b.f. who'd had his poor head cracked open by police.
3 weeks into the year, students took over Peters Hall (then it was the Admin building and we didn't want military recruiters on campus during the Vietnam War), with some sitting in tight, others loosely distributed on the floor. Loose meant a checkerboard pattern, or symbolic protest that still allowed recruiters to gain entry to the office door. "Tights" were photographed by the college and nearly suspended (for violating free speech on campus) except that other students defended them during a campus trial.
Organized fleets of busses to join massive antiwar protests in Washington, D.C.
My grades: Very very distracted by the politics, I earned a surprising mix of B's, C's, and even my first ever/only D because the standards were so high there. Although I was accustomed to A's, my public school preparation seemed insufficient, especially when compared to classmates trained in prep schools. I resolved to do better the following year. </p>
<p>Sophomore year: Autumn, another big trek to Washington, D.C. with friends for an antiwar demonstration. Along the way, car broke down and had to stay in a little coal-mining town in PA along the way. Girls were concerned for the boys whose long hair was a lightning rod for local anger. Rented two motel rooms, stayed separated by gender, and did NOTHING to upset the local citizens until car was fixed and we were on our way.
Although it felt useless to walk among a mere 200,000 others in front of the White House, I was cheered, years later, to read that Nixon first began taping himself when he looked down upon these marches and wanted his own record of his presidency for the sake of history. The tapes were the undoing of his presidency. I made a mental note: one never knows the impact of massive events as they occur, so above all, make individual choices of conscience and don't worry if they are "significant" or "relevant" at the time. Someday they might be very important to history.
Springtime: Following the 4 murders at Kent State, that university SHUT DOWN for the year and sent everyone home! Required to leave that very night, most Kent State students had no plans or way to reach home, so came to Oberlin for friendly reception. We housed them on our floors until they could regroup and make their plans homeward. Our college also cancelled finals that year, mourning and confused over Kent State.
That year, I took the college's Credit/No Entry option for my entire transcript. Relieved of the anxiety for individual grades, I relaxed, learned how to learn for the sake of learning....Joined a coop, learned to bake bread.</p>
<p>Junior year: Draft lottery numbers called on television as we all watched. Many tears that night for those with low numbers.
Since I now knew how to study well, I made all B's and A's. Loved my major. Joined another coop, improved the bread.</p>
<p>Senior year: More coop, more bread, more wonderful courses. In May, 1972, the graduation speaker was Pete Seeger whose presentation was done half in banjo, concerning the proportion of American tax money spent on military versus educational goals. Following the grad, my family found Pete sitting alone under a tree and joined him, along with other families, for informal conversation and a wonderful grad memory.
Got a post-college job in my major (Art History) in an art gallery in Washington, D.C., lived near other Obies working in D.C. at various jobs. Provided emotional support to the one among us getting "Conscienscious Objector" status with his draft board (he succeeded). </p>
<p>1980, met my future spouse, Obie 1969; married 6 months later</p>
<p>2003, sent our D to Oberlin</p>
<p>2003-7 watched our D thrive there</p>
<p>Politics are very important at Oberlin, and help form the backdrop for personal development. Today I'm very impressed with the Science offerings at Oberlin, which reflect top quality academics coupled with an appreciation for positive change, for example, Environmental Science building. Am excited by new Jazz Studies grant.</p>
<p>My conclusion: Although the college motto changed last year from "Changing the World" to "Fearless" both strands can describe Oberlin, and students generally choose along a spectrum of politics where they are personally comfortable. </p>
<p>It's a great place for those who respond to change, individuality, intelligence and humor. Meanwhile, the music plays on and on...</p>
<p>I'll probably retire there, too.</p>