February 15, 2019
Perspective is one of the most important aspects of journalism. I believe that every single voice matters, because every voice has a story behind it. I want to take this time to thank every single black journalist who has paved the way for me to be in the position I am in today. Without trailblazers in journalism such as Ida B. Wells and Frederick Douglass, who used their perspectives to tell their stories despite the oppression they faced, my voice would be diminished.
With that being ...
Jason Hewitt, Staff Writer
October 5, 2018
Filed under SPORTS, Sports Column
Oberlin is an institution composed mostly of students whose political views fall on the left side of the spectrum. Because of this, there are many stereotypes associated with the typical “Obie.” As a member of the Oberlin football team, I can personally say that my peers from other institutions have stereotyped me on multiple occasions.
Bigotry is definitely a contributing factor to the stereotypes Oberlin student-athletes face. For instance, I have been called the N-word on the field before — and yes, the person was white. We shared a few choice words afterward and he tried to accuse me of being soft for being offended by his disrespectful word choice.
At that moment, I felt that I would have been ...
Jason Hewitt, Staff Writer
May 4, 2018
Filed under SPORTS, Sports Column
The 2018 NFL Draft was critical for the Cleveland Browns after a season in which they didn’t win a single game, compiling a record of 0–16. There has only been one other team in National Football League history that has gone winless: the 2008 Detroit Lions. The Browns, whose performance has been notoriously bad over the past couple decades, need to make significant changes if they want to overcome their current laughing-stock standing as a laughingstock in the league.
One of the best opportunities for a franchise to improve is through the NFL Draft, which occurs every April. Quick changes were absolutely necessary for Browns executives looking to keep their jobs, and they responded by making a number of big — a...
May 4, 2018
As housing selection for the 2018–19 academic year wraps up, many students have been left disappointed as Residential Education struggles to meet demand for Village Housing and private dorm rooms after decommissioning 17 Village Houses due to disrepair.
The change is partially a result of Oberlin’s increasing financial austerity, as the College is reluctant to pour more money into dilapidated, depreciating houses each year.
All 11 of the Woodland Street Village Housing Units are set to be razed ...
Jason Hewitt, Staff Writer
April 13, 2018
Filed under SPORTS, Sports Column
Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson should easily be one of the top three quarterbacks in this year’s NFL Draft. He won the 2016 Heisman Trophy and arguably had a better season this year. So it’s quite confusing why Jackson has received widespread criticism by NFL scouts and draft analysts and is projected as a late draft in the first round.
Jackson is a Black athlete, and the unfortunate root of the criticism he receives is racism.
The premier quarterbacks in this year’s draft include Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Josh Allen, and Josh Rosen. The common denominator between these four men is that they are all white with big arms. However, if you watch Lamar Jackson’s film and Pro Day tape, his arm ...
March 30, 2018
The Yeomen baseball team had big expectations going into the season. After a spring in which they finished 23–20 and broke program records for total wins and total conference wins, the team earned a third-place preseason ranking in the North Coast Athletic Conference this year, which was voted on by all of the coaches in the NCAC. The Yeomen began this season slowly, but after sweeping Wilmington College last weekend, the team looks to carry some momentum into their first NCAC matchup against Ohio ...
Jason Hewitt, Columnist
March 2, 2018
Filed under SPORTS, Sports Column
English Professor Yago Colás hosted a discussion Wednesday in Dye Lecture Hall between the ESPN Around the Horn co-host and University of Maryland professor Kevin Blackistone, Grand Valley State University professor Louis Moore, Northeastern University professor Sarah Jackson, and University of Michigan’s prominent Fab Five member Jimmy King. The four panelists are all influential Black individuals who are deeply connected to the overlapping realms of sports and activism.
The talk opened with Colás’ introduction of the speakers. He then gave each speaker 10 minutes to share their thoughts on the overall topic. The first to speak was Blackistone, who came to Oberlin for the second time to discuss his ideas after...
February 16, 2018
As the men’s basketball season comes to a close, players and coaches in the program have enjoyed reflecting on a season in which they defied the odds. Last winter the Yeomen won just three games and graduated five seniors — including one of the best hoopers in Oberlin basketball history in Jack Poyle. With just one game left tomorrow, the Yeomen have collected eight more wins than the 2016-17 season — without any senior leadership.
Sophomore forward Andre Campbell, who started in 23 of 25...
Jason Hewitt, Columnist
February 9, 2018
Filed under SPORTS, Sports Column
If you’re a Philadelphia Eagles fan, you’d probably agree with me on this statement: It’s about time. All those years of suffering without a Super Bowl ring have finally resulted in triumph.
Allow me to give you some perspective. The Philadelphia Eagles have existed since 1933, long before the Super Bowl began. The Eagles’ last championship run occurred in 1960. That’s right — it has been 58 years since they’ve been crowned as champions. There will be no more “ringless” jokes for Eagles fans to hear, now that they have a Lombardi trophy. Feb. 4, 2018 is a day that Eagles fans all over the world will remember for the rest of their lives. How did they do it? How did they overcome all the odds and defeat...
