OCA_Cleveland_2012For Immediate ReleaseMarch 19, 2013 CONTACT: Johnny K. Wu, President, OCA Cleveland, www.ocagc.org
OCA Cleveland Calls on Advocates to Stand in Solidarity with Oberlin College Following Racial Vandalism, Harassment, Physical Attacks and Hate Speech
Cleveland, Ohio) OCA Cleveland, one of the 84 chapters and affiliates of OCA national organization dedicated to advancing the political, social and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans (APAs), calls on advocates to stand in solidarity with Oberlin College following race and hate related incidents on campus.
There have been reports of a small group of perpetrators defacing, harassing and physically attacking students with racial, anti-Semitic and homophobic epithets in recent months, particularly during the Black History Month, including a report of an early-morning sighting of someone wearing a Ku Klux Klan-like garb on campus prompting cancelation of classes. These series of incidents have received national news media attention and prompted the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate these incidents. Students and staff at Oberlin College have organized numerous events of unity throughout the college drawing more than one-third of the school’s 2900 students. These incidents also prompted the college to further review on campus safety and policies according to the Oberlin Review.
“We are saddened that such racially motivated incidents are happening at Oberlin College, a college which was one of the first to admit black students, which brings diversity” said OCA Cleveland President Johnny Wu, “we applaud the quick action taken by the college administration and are encouraged by the many students and staff putting together events which help continue to educate about diversity and unite the community.”
Let us work as a community of advocates to dispel hate and cultivate a culture of tolerance for all.
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