A Protest, Ongoing
About The Author
Audrey Oh (오다형)
Audrey Oh was born and bred in Seoul, Korea, where she goes by her birthname Dahyung, or "oda" more affectionately.
On arrival to New York, she took on a new name and along with it kindled a passion for racial justice, activism, and the arts. She has worked in art activism and education at non-profits such as OCA-NY’s Hate Crimes Prevention Art Project and CITYarts' project outreach team. She is a senior double majoring in Visual Arts and Race and Ethnic Studies at Columbia. She is also a printmaker, painter, and film photographer who explores vulnerability, memory, and resistance through her art.
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To this day she still fondly remembers her first CSER course, Intro to Comparative Ethnic Studies, CSER 1010, one she stumbled upon first semester of freshman year. It was the beginning of what would become a most wonderful journey supported by a community that empowers, celebrates, and fights for diversity and inclusion.
Acknowledgements
To Everyone Who Inspired My Project
First, I would like to thank my three exceptional advisors: thesis advisor Professor Matt Sandler, senior seminar advisors Professor Sayantani Dasgupta and Darius Echeverria. I could not have asked for a better trio. Without their guidance, care, and academic direction throughout this year, this project would not have been possible.
I would also like to extend my deepest gratitudes to the CSER community that not only supported me in my senior year but throughout my long, arduous college journey. You have given me a home in a way I have never imagined it to be.
I thank my mentors who have shown me time and again what kind of education is possible under the study of ethnicity and race. I thank Professor Deborah Paredez for showing me how in-depth academic analysis does not have to be confined to books; Professor Elizabeth Ouyang for teaching me how to answer tricky legal questions and do so with unmatched passion and vigor; Assistant Director of CSER Josephine Caputo, who extends the warmest welcome whenever I come to her for guidance. Professor Eric Gamalinda, who not only introduced me to my favorite documentary but also taught me the power of dialogue through a cultural medium.
I also extend my warmest regards to my fellow 2021 CSER seniors - a majority of whom I have only met virtually, but expect to cross paths while we fight for the causes we find important.
I would like to thank the four student protestors of 1996 who have taken their valuable time to speak to a college student. The glint of passion rekindled in your eyes as you recollected 25 years ago was all that I needed to see. I also extend my gratitude to all those fighters before and after, of 1968, 2003, 2014 - the activists, some younger and older, who do not hesitate to organize against an institution such as Columbia.
I would like to thank the Harlem community - the home that Columbia often neglects and tried to close off from, but is ultimately the very marrow of its existence and prosperity.
Lastly, I am grateful for the support I have gotten: both my parents, my friends both in NYC and Seoul who have consented to 2am zoom calls, and my stuffed doggo Jamie - who is sitting right next to my bed as I write this final thank you note.
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Love, and Solidarity for you all.
Feel Free to Provide Feedback!
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This website has been my soul and passion for the past few months. I would love any and all comments, feedback, questions that you may have <3