Sternbach Balks Independent
By Rebecca Sternbach
Contributing Writer

A few weeks ago, I came across a copy of the Claremont Independent in Frary and made the mistake of picking it up. I always do this to myself, like the times I go to see a horror movie and then immediately regret it because I’ve freaked myself out. But the CI was like a car crash—I could not look away. The front page article lamented the fact that liberal professors overrun the Claremont Colleges, (a particularly irritating quote in this article defined African Americans as “the most highly sought-after and most liberal racial group”). In another article, a Pomona student expressed his dismay at the fact that Pomona College professors dared to express political opinions during class, (A professor? Expressing opinions? Heavens, no!). Okay, I’ll meet them halfway on this one. I suppose it would be difficult to be a conservative and have only liberal professors. However, I found little sympathy for the gentle-spirited conservatives struggling against repressive liberals here at the Claremont Colleges. Perhaps this is because the conservatives control, wait now, let me make sure to get this right... oh yes, the rest of the country.

A few articles into the publication I had yet to lose my cool. In a review entitled, “Anger, Delusion, and Idolatry: An Evening With Michael Moore,” a photograph showed only Moore’s stomach, and a caption made fun of his weight. Now that’s rich. Seriously, the Republicans must corner the market on big fat white guys. We won’t even mention that pill-popping hypocrite Rush Limbaugh. But by far the most ridiculous thing that I read was a question and answer column entitled, “The Clueless Conservative: Answering the Questions You Can’t Ask.” An introduction to this column reassured young conservatives that their belief system is based on “common sense” and if they find events in Claremont “so nonsensical, so oblivious to reality, so asinine” they should simply remember that this is a sure sign that they are “normal.” At this point I could stand it no longer.

Normal? I thought. You must be joking! Showing a sudden fit of temper (to which I am prone) and incredible strength (a bit more uncommon) I ripped the paper, (yes, all ten matte pages!) cleanly in half. Upon doing this, I felt much better.

I do firmly believe that everyone at the Claremont Colleges has the right to express their opinions. Democrats, Republicans, people who want to put babies on spikes, whatever you believe, you have the right to speak. And I certainly do not advocate the destruction of literature or ideas. But just as much as these conservatives have the right to publish their ideas, I have the right to be pissed off by them. And the Claremont Independent has been chapping me for four long years. I don’t know if anyone from the Claremont Independent reads The Student Life, or if soon there will be an article about how mouthy Pomona girls need to shave their armpits and get back in the kitchen, but, so be it. Put me on your list. You’re already on mine.