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.