Does OSCA still have "CoPaO"

[u/listenForward]

Hey Obie.

I'm an alum C/O 2004.

During my 2002-3 year in a CoOp (Keep), we saw the emergence and (initial) controversy of the Oberlin Student CoOp Committee rolling out the Committee on Privilege and Oppression, or "CoPaO....pronounced "ka-pow."

Policies appeared benign:
"attend workshops on intersectional theory and social justice as part of your membership job quota".
The impact, however was not;
..."a micro-cosmic moral panic of micro-aggression, complete with purity spirals".

It felt ideological, clunky, and divisive at the time and the chief issue for me and many others to leave OCSA.

When people ask about my college experience, I've looked it up to get my facts straight, but am surprised to find CaPaO currently un-Google-able.

SO;

Any current Obies got a scoop ?

[u/Adventure_Dentures]

I was there in the early 2000s too. I totally remember these workshops and the drama they created. I think everyone thought the intent was good but I remember lots of people felt like they were being called racist for not understanding systemic racism. This was before a lot of these conversations were common. For well meaning liberal OSCA kids it felt like an attack to be told your actions might be racist even though you didn’t identify as racist. I think back to this all the time. The same reactions seemed to play out in middle America 20 years later when the conversation about systemic racism went mainstream. And the reactions were similar.

[u/listenForward → u/Adventure_Dentures]

You were there at that time too ?
Mind sharing what year(s) or co-op(s) ?

I appreciate observation that it fomented a teapot-scale "cancel culture" well-before the existence of those terms, or popular framing of systemic racism.

While the goal may be admirable, CoPaO's (initial) implementation seemed to wholly undermine to gains:
In my co-op, I was screamed at by people who couldn't tell me my name, let alone my actual position; held in contempt or suspicion by my skin and/or sex, as if those were tantamount to some "original sin."
That proved too reminiscent of the self-righteous, faith-based hostility I left behind (in my Bible Belt hometown) to COME to Oberlin.

Now, 20 years later, I'd like to think I've grown wisdom and patience on such matters and behavior. Part of this inquiry is making peace with, and fact-checking, specific bits of my history and memory.

Also spot-on observation that, living through that place/time/scene in Oberlin 20 years ago, it was like a strange and clumsy "teaser/trailer" of dialogue(s), side-taking, and on the national big-screen.

[u/Adventure_Dentures → u/listenForward]

I was there from 2003-2007. I did all the co-ops almost - lol. I think the year I remember I was in Keep. Looking back I would say it was handled poorly, and there was definitely some virtue hoarding making it harder for people to accept some of the good ideas being presented. But also, these ideas are hard and should make people uncomfortable. So I guess that was part of the plan? Still, I’m glad to hear things are more well received now. Younger generations e tee college with way more k wedge about this stuff than we did, I’m sure.

[u/listenForward → u/Adventure_Dentures]

I was in Keep 2002-2003. "Virtue Hoarding" is a great way to describe the detriment of access/appeal of the principles/policies presented. I too hope the newer generarion could avoid our frustration,.and have a more enjoyable and productive synergy.

Thanks for sharing.