Editor’s Note: The following article is a reprinted version, with minor stylistic edits, of a note the author posted elsewhere. It is reprinted here with the author’s permission.
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“The whole idea of a stereotype is to simplify. Instead of going through the problem of all this great diversity – that it’s this or maybe that – you have just one large statement; it is this.”
-Chinua Achebe (Novelist, Poet, Professor)
“We can rarely see things from the point of view of another person because we look at the facts through the screen of an impression or an interest which distorts our view; and then there are accusations, quarrels and misunderstandings.”
-Barry Long (Philosopher, Teacher)
“We fight amongst ourselves,
We obliterate ourselves, yeah, yeah.”
-Pennywise (Melodic Skate Punk Band)
Dear Erskine Community and Affiliates,
As a rising Sophomore at Erskine College, it has come to my attention that several false accusations concerning the intent of Students Aligned for a Faithful Erskine (SAFE) have arisen in lieu of the decision by the ARP Synod to create a formal Commission to investigate the commitment of Erskine’s faculty and administration to Jesus Christ, and if a proper implementation of the “ARP Philosophy of Higher Christian Education” exists. Along with these false accusations are many misconceptions about the various individuals who agree with SAFE. What are these false accusations and misconceptions I speak of? They accuse SAFE of not wanting non-Christian students at Erskine College. They characterize the supporters/editors of SAFE as naïve students who are being maliciously directed behind the scenes by ARP ministers and non-Erskine students. They seem to have the erroneous impression that SAFE desires a Bob Jonsian culture of strict rules and regulations. Lastly, there are those who view SAFE of being nothing more than “silly/misguided/cultish students” and legalists confined to a specific cultural niche. This information has come to me by way of YouTube, personal conversations, letters on the “In Defense of Erskine College” blogger page, and a Facebook group called Alumni For Erskine-A Christian Liberal Arts College. For the sake of clarity, the majority individuals in the Facebook group or on the “In Defense of Erskine College” blogger page have not accused SAFE of anything that I have mentioned; I would cautiously venture to say that many of the members simply joined the Facebook group because of its name without actually researching what the group promotes. Having said these things, I proudly claim Erskine College as my own and vigorously support the efforts of SAFE.
Before I go on, some proper introductions are in order. My name is Brandon Kai Oberle’ or simply “Oberle“, as most call me. I agree with the concerns of SAFE, support the Synod’s decision to investigate Erskine, and truly desire academic excellence. I served as Freshman Class President for the class of 2012, participated in the Midnight chalking protest, played in the Sinfonia, was accepted into the Euphemian Literary Society, and will serve as the Dead Philosophers Society President for my Sophomore year. Click to continue »