OCC calms down following controversy
Deirdre Newman
Students at Orange Coast College say last year’s terrorist attacks
opened their eyes to the harsh reality of the new millennium and
shattered the country’s sense of impenetrability.
“I think it definitely made a lot of people realize the stuff we
took for granted,” said Shaun Whisnant, 27. “We had the aura of a
force field, but we’re just as vulnerable as everyone else, even with
all our technology.”
The college will hold a circle of remembrance at noon -- last year
a similar circle after the attacks drew a large crowd.
College officials say the general mood of students is reflective.
“We have sensed that they’re pretty quiet right now,” said Jim
Carnett, college spokesman. “I think [the circle] will be reflective,
intensive and quiet.”
The somberness of the anniversary was underscored by Linda Gordon,
53, who shared her feelings as she read a book on the history of
Christianity for one of her classes Tuesday night.
“I feel real melancholy,” Gordon said. “I’m fearful for the future
of the younger generation.”
Elaine Wu, 29, said the attacks inspired her to examine her own
life and focus on what is important to her, like family and friends.
“We can’t have global harmony if we don’t have harmony in our own
lives,” Wu said.
One of the school’s political science professors also strives for
personal harmony, trying to clear his reputation from controversy
that arose last fall.
Four Muslim students accused Ken Hearlson of making inflammatory
statements against Arabs and Muslims in his class the week after the
Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. These days, he still awaits an
arbitration hearing to get a letter he considers a reprimand removed
from his file.
“The district is still putting it off,” Hearlson said. “It’s been
going on for nearly 10 months.”
An independent investigation cleared him of the bulk of the
charges, but the letter from former college President Margaret
Gratton remains a thorn in his side.
In his classroom today, Hearlson will examine the heroes of Sept.
11, look at how America has changed. He will discuss military efforts
to combat terrorism. The professor said he will use the most
up-to-date, factual information he can find to discuss Sept. 11 in
context.
He still has some harsh words for the entire Muslim world for not
denouncing the terrorist attacks, although he said Islamic
communities in the U.S. have voiced their disdain for the
perpetrators.
“When I spoke about the Muslim world last year, I said I didn’t
trust what it said because it didn’t condemn the suicide bombing,”
Hearlson said. “Many of the things I said last year are still truth
today.”
While Hearlson said he has forgiven the Muslim students who
accused him, he said he has still not heard any apology from them.
In terms of the arbitration, Hearlson said he would just like some
closure on the ordeal.
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