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Established 1874.

The Oberlin Review

Established 1874.

The Oberlin Review

Established 1874.

The Oberlin Review

Lebanon Plays a Central Role in Israel-Palestine Conflict
Gabrielle Barnett, Columnist • October 11, 2024

Over two days, from Tuesday, Sept. 17 to Wednesday, Sept. 18, Israeli Defense Forces launched a series of sophisticated terror attacks in Lebanon. An operation devised by Israel months prior, military pagers and walkie talkies operated by Hezbollah military forces, sourced from a Taiwanese company which...

For Palestinians, Oct. 7 Marks a Year Without Change
Zane Badawi, Columnist • October 11, 2024

As I sat down for dinner last week, I saw a text from my dad. “Tulkarem now from our cousins’ house,” it read. It was accompanied by a picture of the night sky in my grandfather’s hometown, a plume of smoke rising from the skyline. Then, a video of a crowded street. Sirens broke through the screams...

Resident Requests that Students use Crosswalk Button
Richard McDaniel October 11, 2024

To all the new first-year students, I say “Welcome to Oberlin!” To all returning students, I say “Welcome back!” My purpose in writing is to ask of the entire student community a simple act — “PUSH THE BUTTON!” The buttons I am referring to are at the pedestrian crosswalks in town that...

Community Support Necessary in Times of Crisis
Pelham Curtis, Columnist • October 11, 2024

In the past month, we have seen multiple concerning disasters, both “natural” and byproducts of human error: the Rockdale County BioLab fire, Hurricane Helene, and now Hurricane Milton. We have watched as entire towns are swept away, clouds of smoke plume overhead, and people die and lose loved ones....

RO-DBT Reveals Solution to Israel–Palestine Conflict
Haze Doleys, Columnist • October 11, 2024

If I had to define the Israel–Palestine conflict in one word, it would be “fear.” Fear caused it, fear sustains and exacerbates it, and fear will either eternalize it or end it in a bloodbath the world will never forgive. To change this, we must understand fear in the Israel–Palestine conflict,...

Teach-Ins Are Inadequate Without Non-Violent Protests
Gregory Amenta, Staff Writer • October 4, 2024

Although Oberlin pro-Palestine groups launched a 200-person strong encampment on Wilder Bowl in late April, the organizers dismantled it after less than 48 hours. According to Students for a Free Palestine  leadership, this was because SFP viewed educating students as more important than confronting...

Musikos Collective Evolves, Prepares for Future
Kash Radocha, Senior Staff Writer • October 4, 2024

It has been nearly three years since the Musikos Collective first hit the stage at Oberlin. Founded by three cello students in spring 2022, the...

PI Ensemble Reflects on Haddad Legacy, Retirement
Kash Radocha, Senior Staff Writer • September 27, 2024

The Performance and Improvisation Ensemble, or PI, is a uniquely collaborative ensemble that explores cross-cultural music. The ensemble engages...

Last spring, Talise Campbell performed with Weedie Braimah and Djembe Orchestra.
Djembe Orchstra Highlights Connection with West African Dance
Calvin Ray Shawler, Conservatory Editor • September 20, 2024

CORRECTION: In the article “Djembe Orchestra Highlights Connection with West African Dance” (The Oberlin Review, Sept. 20, 2024), the Review...

New Recording Arts and Production Major Added to Conservatory
Delaney Fox, Editor-in-Chief • September 20, 2024

This semester, the Conservatory announced a new Bachelors of Music in Recording Arts and Production, spearheaded by Director of Conservatory...

Conservatory Adds New Music Theater Major
Calvin Ray Shawler, Conservatory Editor • September 6, 2024

Fall 2025 will usher in a new program at the Conservatory: Music Theater. Faculty from Baldwin Wallace University’s  Conservatory of Performing...

Voter Guide for November 5 Election
Ava Miller, Layla Wallerstein, and Karthik Ranganadhan October 11, 2024

Editors’ Note The United States Presidential general Election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Ohio voters will have a chance to vote for the next president of the United States, as well as a number of other races. We provide this voter guide as a non-comprehensive introduction to the down-ballot...

Senators listen to student's concerns at Wednesday's town hall.
Student Senate Hears Concerns at First Town Hall
Yasu Shinozaki and Avishi Khar October 11, 2024

On Tuesday and Wednesday evening, Student Senate held their first monthly town hall in Dye Lecture Hall. Senators discussed student concerns over dorm access and the proposed changes to the policy on student protests and the student Bill of Rights, as well as addressed other questions students in attendance...

New RA Pay Policy Raises Concerns for International Students
Swaranya Sarkar, Staff Writer • October 11, 2024

The system of pay for Resident Assistants and secondary lesson teachers has recently changed, requiring them to clock their hours on TimeClock Plus. This policy, introduced to RAs Sept. 25, has sparked confusion — particularly for international students who, due to visa restrictions, have a limited...

City Council Update for Oct. 7
Cole Mirman, Staff Writer • October 11, 2024

Council Appoints an Additional Councilmember to Committee Council considered appointing an additional Councilmember to the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee. The committee exists to help guide Oberlin’s Comprehensive Plan, the City government’s plan for Oberlin’s future. Councilmember...

World Headlines
Lois Leung, Staff Writer • October 11, 2024

One Year in Gaza: Death Toll Reaches 42,065 As Israeli Strikes Intensify in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria; Israel Vows “Lethal” Retaliation against Iran Oct. 7 marked one year of Israel’s war on Gaza. As of Thursday, at least 42,065 people have been killed in Gaza, including nearly 16,765 children....

Students demonstrate in Wilder Bowl last May, calling for divestment from Israel.
College Proposes Changes to Policy on Student Protests, Demonstrations
Yasu Shinozaki, Layla Wallerstein, and Karthik Ranganadhan October 4, 2024

On Wednesday, Sept. 12, the General Faculty discussed a proposal that would update rules regarding student protests. The revisions would add protests and demonstrations to the Guidelines for Meetings Involving Speakers, Films, and Other Forms of Artistic Expression and update rules regarding these activities....

Proposal to Limit Dorm Access Receives Negative Reaction From Students
Lily Nobel, Production Editor • October 4, 2024

On Sept. 27, Student Senate sent out a survey to gauge student opinion on a proposal to limit tap access to residential buildings to only their residents between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. As of Tuesday, the survey has received more than 900 responses, more than 80 percent voicing concern and only about 13 percent...

Community Reflects On One Year Without Lord-Saunders Lunch
Ava Miller and Nikki Keating
Latest Episode
This week's show is a special episode about Juneteenth, made up of segments by The Weekly team: Nina Auslander-Padgham, Eric Schank, and Casey Troost. First, Nina and Eric present a segment on the Oberlin Juneteenth festival, how it is different this year, and address potential town and gown tensions as more students participate in the parade. Afterwards, Nina Auslander-Padgham interviews Annessa Wyman, an Administrative Assistant at the College, about her personal involvement in planning Juneteenth festivities for the last decade. Finally, Casey Troost's segment is on the history and meaning of Juneteenth with interviews with African American locals: Ms. Margaret Christian, honoary Juneteenth board member and local historian; featured poet LaTonya Fenderson Warren; Valerie Lawson, chairperson of the Juneteenth executive board; Adenike Sharpley, professor of Dance at Oberlin; and Shelley Shepard. This episode originally aired on WOBC Oberlin, 91.5 FM, Oberlin College and Community radio at 3:00 pm EST on August 2nd, 2021.
Editorial Comic
Editorial Comic
Molly Chapin, Layout Manager and Illustrator
Editorial Comic
Oberlin Review Comic 9/13/24
Molly Chapin, Layout Manager and Illustrator
Michael Roman’s Intro Aesthetics of Hip Hop: Graffiti from Boxcar to Basel class poses in front of its graffiti mural.
Blue Rooster Bakehouse Graffiti Mural Demonstrates Community Between City, College
Sadie Howard, Staff Writer • October 11, 2024

When you walk through the alleyway between The Feve and Blue Rooster Bakehouse, it is impossible to miss the new, brightly colored graffiti mural painted on the bakery’s side. This past week, Assistant Professor of Studio Art and Africana Studies Michael Roman’s Studio Art class — Intro Aesthetics...

Ohio’s Regional Burning Man Fosters Radical Inclusion, Self-Expression
Catherine Saccone October 11, 2024

From Oct. 3–6, Mosaic Experiment — Ohio’s regional Burning Man event — welcomed people of all ages to gather in Rutland for four days of camping. Attendees are encouraged to embrace artistry and community, following the 10 principles of Burning Man: radical inclusion, gifting, decommodification,...

Godfather Director Returns With Megalopolis, Imperfect Yet Powerful Film About Art, America
Carrie Shevitz, Staff Writer • October 11, 2024

In 1958, while Nicholas Ray was working under famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, he stated that architecture is the backbone of the arts. This principle would influence the many filmmakers that followed him — Martin Scorsese, Jean-Luc Godard, and Wim Wenders, to name a few — but there may not be...

Oberlin Honors Indigenous Peoples’ Day with Vigil, Celebration of Culture
Grace Connell, Staff Writer • October 11, 2024

This Saturday, the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Committee of Oberlin will hold a celebration for Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Oberlin Enrichment and Activity Center. The event will take place from 2–4 p.m., and the celebration will include storytelling, music, dancing, and community. The event will...

This Tuesday, students attended Carissa Chappell’s lecture “Leaving No Trace: Reading the Asexual Possibility in an Ancient Greek Novel.”
Award-Winning Paper Says Classics Must Be Viewed Through Queer Perspectives
Ariel Papas, Staff Writer • October 11, 2024

On Oct. 8, Carissa Chappell gave a talk titled “Leaving No Trace: Reading the Asexual Possibility in an Ancient Greek Novel” which discussed their award-winning paper on sexuality in ancient Greek novels. They deconstructed the notion of the boy-meets-girl trope in The Adventures of Leucippe and...

Alex Da Corte’s Rubber Pencil Devil screened at the Oberlin Film 
Co-op Oct. 1.
Rubber Pencil Devil: Pedagogical Look Into Ever-changing Element of Art, World
Sydney Collinger, Senior Staff Writer, Layout Editor • October 4, 2024

Alex Da Corte, Philadelphia-based Venezuelan-American conceptual artist, drove to Oberlin Oct. 1 to present his nearly three-hour long film Rubber Pencil Devil. The film featured 57 distinct sequences presented alongside live commentary from the director. Double-degree fifth-year Orson Abram, one of...

Drew Matott, co-director of Peace Paper Project, compiled a book of artifacts from his late father out of the paper he had initially made.
Paper-Making Art Therapy Heals Trauma, Brings Communities Together
Chloe Ko, Arts & Culture Editor • October 4, 2024

On Saturday, Oct. 5, Drew Matott, co-director of Peace Paper Project and master papermaker, will lead a demonstration of papermaking in the Mudd Center Contemplation Garden. Students will be able to turn articles of clothing into paper, expressing their creativity and sentiments through art. Matott will...

Halloween decor adorns an Oberlin lawn.
Horror Folklore Encapsulates Generations of Students’ Stories
Ida Rosenstein October 4, 2024

With the air growing colder and the leaves growing redder, the mist of October is finally creeping into Oberlin. Halloween grows closer, and plenty of students are preparing to be in an appropriately spooky mood. If you ask, you’ll hear whispers of the ghosts that haunt Tank Hall and Johnson House;...

The Wild Robot Tells Emotional Story, Stars Stellar Cast
Spencer Elkind, Staff Writer • October 4, 2024

Despite the notion that animated films are primarily for kids, they exist for everyone. Films such as WALL-E, Toy Story, and Ratatouille tell meaningful, emotional stories that appeal to a wide range of viewers, regardless of age. Today, I’m happy to report that Dreamworks’ new animated film, The...

Natural Introspection
Ariel Papas October 4, 2024

Pray tell, do your ears share what others hear? Or are they hollow? Harvested with a collection of nests and frayed willow bark.   If you could pray, tell me what language you speak? I have many inquiries left untouched… perhaps your phone disconnects when a call is heard, mayhaps you...

John and Linda Gates
John and Linda Gates: Award-Winning Community Organizers and Immigration Advocates
Gregory Amenta, Staff Writer • October 11, 2024

John and Linda Gates, Masters of Art in Teaching ’72 and ’65, were members of the Overground Railroad Coalition, a local interfaith organization that hosted 25 refugees from Guatemala and El Salvador in the ’80s. They helped political refugees travel to Canada, which accepted their political refugee...

Heather Radke
Heather Radke: Radiojournalist, Freelancer, and Creative Nonfiction Author
Yasu Shinozaki, News Editor • September 27, 2024

Heather Radke is a freelance nonfiction author and contributing editor and reporter at Radiolab. Her book Butts: A Backstory, about the cultural history of the buttocks, was published in 2022 and was praised by Time, Esquire, and Publishers Weekly, among others. On Wednesday, she gave this year’s Jesse...

Thomas M. Keck
Thomas M. Keck, OC ’92
Karthik Ranganadhan, Contributing News Editor • September 20, 2024

Thomas M. Keck, OC ’92, is the Michael O. Sawyer Chair of Constitutional Law and Politics at the Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and a Senior Research Associate at the Campbell Public Affairs Institute. He delivered the annual Oberlin Constitution Day Lecture on...

Soomin Kim
Soomin Kim, OC ’19
Calvin Ray Shawler, Conservatory Editor • October 4, 2024

Soomin Kim, OC ’19, is the winner of three Morton Gould Young Composer Awards and the 2024 University of Florida Call for Scores by Women Composers, as well as a cofounder of Rattlebox, a new music chamber ensemble. She has written for the Breaking Barriers Festival, Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Northern...

Ian McEdwards performs at the Mostly Modern Festival.
Ian McEdwards: Clarinetist, Winner of Agnes Fowler Collegiate Scholarship
Calvin Ray Shawler, Conservatory Editor • September 27, 2024

Ian McEdwards, fourth-year Clarinet Performance major and Ohio Federation of Music Clubs Agnes Fowler Collegiate Scholar, is a dedicated proponent for new music on campus. His clarinet performance and recent compositional work explore multiphonics and other advanced extended techniques. He is currently...

James Feddeck
James Feddeck '05: Visiting Conductor
Kash Radocha, Senior Staff Writer • September 13, 2024

This fall, the Conservatory welcomes guest conductor James Feddeck, OC ’05, back to the stage to conduct Oberlin’s orchestra, chamber orchestra, and fall opera while Professor Raphael Jiménez is on sabbatical. Feddeck, who also received an M.M. in Conducting from the Conservatory in 2006, is a renowned...

Andria Derstine
On the Record with Andria Derstine: John G.W. Cowles Director of the Allen Memorial Art Museum
Sydney Collinger, Senior Staff Writer, Layout Editor • October 11, 2024

Andria Derstine has spent 18 years at the Allen Memorial Art Museum as both a curator and the John G.W. Cowles director. During this time, she has imparted a lasting influence on the museum’s community and growth. She will start a new position at the Cleveland Museum of Art Dec. 2 as Virginia N. and...

On the Record with Kirk Ormand: Teaching Homer’s Iliad
On the Record with Kirk Ormand: Teaching Homer’s Iliad
Chloe Boccara, Staff Writer • October 4, 2024

Nathan A. Greenberg Professor of Classics Kirk Ormand specializes in researching sexuality in the ancient world, archaic Greek poetry, Sophocles, Euripides, Lucan, and the Greek novel. He recently published a book chapter in the new Oxford Critical Guide to Homer’s Iliad. Ormand’s essay delves into...

Zachary Thomas (right)
On the Record with Zachary Thomas: Empowering Incarcerated Youth Through Creative Writing
Chloe Ko, Arts & Culture Editor • September 27, 2024

Executive Director Zachary Thomas co-founded Writers in Residence in 2017, an organization dedicated to empowering youths in juvenile justice systems by teaching creative writing workshops and giving them a voice. This program started as a student-run organization at John Carroll University when Thomas...

Meaghan Kramer poses at media day.
In the Locker Room with Meaghan Kramer
Micah Rodriguez, Sports Editor • October 11, 2024

Second-year Meaghan Kramer is a forward/midfielder on the field hockey team. An international student from the Netherlands, she is planning on double majoring in Biology and Neuroscience and minoring in Chemistry. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. How were you introduced to field...

Yuuki Okubo spins basketball on finger at media day.
In the Locker Room With Yuuki Okubo
Chris Stoneman, Sports Editor • October 4, 2024

Fourth-year Yuuki Okubo is a guard for the Oberlin men’s basketball team. Originally from Los Angeles, Okubo was an internet sensation who went viral multiple times before coming to compete on the court for the Yeomen. Off the court, he is a Psychology major with a minor in Anthropology.  This interview...

Ethan Price standing at media day.
In the Locker Room with Ethan Price
Micah Rodriguez, Sports Editor • September 27, 2024

Fourth-year Ethan Price is an assistant defensive line coach for the football team. He played football his first two years at the College, but transitioned into a coaching position after injuries forced him to step away from the game. He is on the pre-medicine track, majoring in Biochemistry with a minor...

Pete Rose shows off his iconic superman dive into third base.
It’s Time for the Hall to Reconsider the Hit King, Pete Rose
Micah Rodriguez, Sports Editor • October 11, 2024

On Oct. 1, MLB’s all-time hits leader Pete Rose passed away at 83 years old. Adored during his playing career, Rose was much maligned after he stepped away from the diamond.  Rose amassed 4,256 hits over his 24 year career with the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and Montreal Expos. On top...

Jonah Barber races at the Ohio Wesleyan University Invitational.
Cross Country Performs at Ohio Wesleyan Invitational
Chris Stoneman, Sports Editor • October 11, 2024

This past Friday, Oberlin College cross country headed down to Powell, Ohio to compete at the Ohio Wesleyan University Invitational. In a meet that featured many high level Division II and Division III competitors, the Oberlin crew was not to be outdone. The Crimson and Gold remained determined to win...

Zeynep Kaya warms up before the game against Ohio Wesleyan.
Volleyball Wins Second Conference Game
Amelia Ocampo October 11, 2024

Coming off of a loss against 16th-ranked Case Western Reserve University last Wednesday, the Oberlin College women’s volleyball team bounced back to win 3–0 against Ohio Wesleyan University in their second North Coast Athletic Conference matchup of the season. The volleyball team delivered its strongest...

KhaDarel Hodge scores a gamewinning overtime touchdown against Tampa Bay.
Falcons’ Overtime Victory Completes Comeback
Gregory Lane, Senior Staff Writer • October 11, 2024

This past Thursday, the Atlanta Falcons managed to pull off a last-minute comeback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning 36–30 in overtime. The Falcons, who had already shown a knack for thrilling finishes this season, proved once again that they could fight back from the brink of defeat, overcoming...

The women’s soccer team celebrated senior night last weekend.
Soccer Teams Shine During Homecoming Weekend
Amelia Ocampo October 4, 2024

Both Oberlin’s men’s and women’s teams celebrated wins among the Homecoming festivities this past weekend. The women’s soccer team reveled in the air of excitement and nostalgia as they bid farewell to their seniors who have demonstrated the true essence of Oberlin athletics. The men’s soccer...

The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, an iconic venue for fans and residents of Oakland.
Goodbye Oakland A’s, Hello Athletics
Micah Rodriguez, Sports Editor • October 4, 2024

Fifty-seven years in Oakland, four World Series Championships, six pennants, 17 division titles, and seven Hall of Fame players — the Athletics did not just play in Oakland, they became an integral part of the city.  On Sept. 26, the now former Oakland Athletics played their last game at the Oakland-Alameda...

Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum dribbles into traffic against the New York Liberty.
WNBA Playoffs Kick Off, Semi-Finals Underway
Micah Rodriguez and Chris Stoneman October 4, 2024

The WNBA playoffs kicked off Sept. 22; the semi finals are currently underway, with the New York Liberty leading the Las Vegas Aces 2–0 and the Minnesota Lynx and Connecticut Sun tied 1–1. Coming off back-to-back championship seasons, the Las Vegas Aces entered the playoffs as clear favorites for...

The Heisman Trophy is the highest award for collegiate football players.
Midseason Heisman Candidates Prove Competitive
Gregory Lane, Senior Staff Writer • October 4, 2024

The Heisman Memorial Trophy, the most prestigious award in American collegiate football, is annually presented to the best player in the sport. First awarded in 1935, it is named after Oberlin’s very own John Heisman, a pioneer in the development of the modern game of football. Heisman coached the...

Shohei Otani hits his 50th home run.
Shohei Ohtani Enters 50–50 Club
Chris Stoneman, Sports Editor • September 27, 2024

Shohei Ohtani, nicknamed Showtime, is largely considered one of the greatest active players in Major League Baseball, and it’s easy to see why.  To say Ohtani has dominated Major League Baseball since his arrival in 2018 would be an understatement. The Japanese designated hitter and pitcher has performed...

The women’s soccer team scored seven goals against Olivet College last Saturday.
Oberlin Women’s Soccer Shuts Out Olivet
Gregory Lane, Senior Staff Writer • September 27, 2024

The Oberlin College women’s soccer team delivered a commanding performance Saturday, notching a decisive 7–0 victory over Olivet College at home. This performance marked the Yeowomen’s largest margin of victory since 2017, boosting their season record to 3–3–1. Behind contributions from 10...

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