History shapes our present day relations, laws and life. We understand history to be a process, an ongoing chain of reactions both globally and locally.
History effects individuals and communities alike.
In exploring the effects of the Civil Rights Movement on Oberlin, we saw it necessary to examine the history of Oberlin before and after the 1960s and question how that would effect Oberlin's reaction to the time of sweeping social change. Since it's founding in 1832, Oberlin has had a history of integration. Beginning in 1834, the Oberlin Institute passed a resolution to admit students irrespective of race. Oberlin also served as a stop on the underground railroad and was known as a place where fugitive slaves would be safe. Oberlin schools were never segregated by law, and in 1959 efforts were made to eliminate defacto segregation.