Established 1874.

The Oberlin Review
Established 1874.

The Oberlin Review
Established 1874.

The Oberlin Review
I recently read Braiding Sweetgrass, a book by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Kimmerer, a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, is a Distinguished Teaching Professor and director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. In Braiding Sweetgrass, Kimmerer discusses how modern society relates to — and connects with — the natural world. For as much as we have advanced scientifically, she argues, we have lost sight of the kinds of reciprocal relationships with land that Indigenous people historically maintained. Essentially, we have forgotten to relate to land — to love it, and to understand and accept that it loves us back. Part of that relationship is understanding how we are all connected through land; the way that we treat land reflects how we treat each other. Care for the environment is care for others. “The outlet from my pond runs downhill to my good neighbor’s pond,” Kimmerer writes. “What I do here matters. Everybody lives downstream.” With Kimmerer’s words in mind, I was excited when the Review received an email from a representative of Kendal at Oberlin, informing us of a recently-established endowment fund benefiting the John Bartram Arboretum. The endowment was established by two Oberlin residents, Anne Helm and her late husband, Professor Emeritus of Classics Jim Helm. The Helms’ strong connection to the environment — and also to Oberlin —prompted them to establish the fund, which will support the Arboretum for years to come. In this way, sense of place becomes an important element of environmental stewardship, one of Oberlin’s core values, across both College and town communities. In order to fight for a place, you have to know it and love it. As Kimmerer writes, you have to understand that the only reason people live downstream of you is because you lived downstream of those who came before. We in Oberlin live downstream of so many incredible people who have made profound impacts on this community and beyond. Moments like the establishment of a fund to support a local arboretum are a recognition of that, and allow the rest of us a moment to pause and reflect on this place, what it means to us, what it has been, and what it can be. With the environmental and climate challenges we now face, that’s more important than ever.

Arboretum Fund Sets Example of Environmental Stewardship

Nathan Carpenter, Editor-in-Chief • February 8, 2019

Students Must Vote in Upcoming Senate Elections

Cecilia Wallace, Contributing Writer • February 8, 2019

This article is part of the Review’s Student Senate column. In an effort to increase communication and transparency, student senators will provide personal perspectives on recent events on campus and...

Higher Education Shifts Spell Trouble for Small Liberal Arts Colleges

Editorial Board • February 8, 2019

Editor's note: The original version of this editorial incorrectly stated that Antioch College would likely close if it could not merge with another institution. In fact, Hampshire College, not Antioch,...

Editorial Cartoon

Editorial Cartoon

Hannah Sandoz • December 7, 2018

Students Should Submit Nominations for Living Angel Award

Suzan Piskur, Community Manager, American Cancer Society – North Region • December 7, 2018

To the Editors:   The American Cancer Society is now accepting nominations for the Dr. Alex & Maria Zolli Living Angel Award.   The recipient of this award is an individual in...

International Students Face Challenges Finding Internships, Health Care

Editorial Board • December 7, 2018

In this time of financial instability, one of President Carmen Ambar’s charges to the broader Oberlin community has been to consider how Oberlin can boldly step into the future and live out what it means...

The Tricks to Making Ramen Even More Delicious

Carson Li, Contributing Writer • December 7, 2018

We need to rethink the way we treat our ramen. I know it’s cheap — $1.75 per pack on Amazon and in stores — and oftentimes it comes with a plastic bowl. It’s also seemingly easy to make: You...

President Trump Doesn’t Cause Hate, Apathy Does

Ilana Foggle, Columnist • December 7, 2018

Editor’s note: This article contains mention of gun violence and anti-Semitism. It’s Hanukkah time (not to be equated to “Jewish Christmas,” by the way). For many Jews, this is a time full of...

Students Should Research Carbon Bill

Ray English, Director of Libraries Emeritus • December 7, 2018

I read with appreciation Yan Jin’s fine article in last week’s Review about the Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s efforts to address the risks posed by climate change (“CCL Fights For Climate Change...

CCL Supports Climate Reform

John Sabin, Assistant Ohio Coordinator, Citizens’ Climate Lobby • December 7, 2018

Thank you to Yan Jin for the excellent article on Citizens’ Climate Lobby in the Review last week (“CCL Fights for Climate Change Policies,” Nov. 30, 2018). As noted in the article, CCL’s long-time...

Diverse Language Offerings Vital

Jackie Brant, Opinions Editor • December 7, 2018

During this time of financial crisis at Oberlin, students understandably feel an urgent need to defend their interests against potential budget cuts. Everyone wants to save programs from being cut, and...

Resolution on the Treatment of Oberlin Employees

American Association of University Professors, Milton Wyman, Oberlin College Office and Professional Employees, and Oberlin Student Labor Action Coalition • December 7, 2018

This resolution is the product of wide-ranging conversations among the various employee groups on campus. It identifies a set of principles and concrete demands to ensure the fair and humane treatment...

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The Oberlin Review

Established 1874.
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