art by Eva Sturm-Gross
[originally published November 2021]
As a student of Professor Mahallati for the last three years, I can honestly say the recent investigation into his past has been disheartening and difficult to digest. Professor Mahallati has been a kind, open-minded, welcoming, and sensitive professor over the course of Covid-19 and many other challenges in my life; however, I also recognize this does not necessarily define all of his behavior. Provided the evidence and that he is teaching the two courses I have with him from afar this semester, I am genuinely disappointed by the mounting reality of the claims made against him.
I have been disappointed witnessing the shift in his teaching this semester, possibly as a result of the accusations against him. Teaching at odd hours in Shiraz, Iran, he is often disconnected in class and less engaged. The courses feel overall distant and a bit disorganized, and it's clear the changes in his life are affecting him both personally and professionally.
As a person, I am struggling to digest his teachings on forgiveness and friendship, themes prominent in all his courses, given his likely history. While I value his work and ideas, my ability to absorb them and consider them has been greatly hindered by the knowledge of the accusations against him, and I often wonder if his work and message is motivated by his past. Other students I talk to feel the same: how much of this can we take as lessons if we do not know how much he truly values it either? Additionally, as a student, I struggle beyond just absorbing his lessons; since he is the only professor of Islam religious studies, my particular focus and degree is dependent on him, and while I want justice, I also fear his removal. I find myself torn between my need for him to be at Oberlin and my recognition that, in not boycotting his classes or actively protesting, I am potentially part of the problem. I also struggle to overcome my own personal biases of how I know him. It is easy to enter into denial when he seems such a kind, generous person, and I often find myself wanting to defend him, despite the mounting evidence.
Overall, the situation is not easy. More than anything, I do want justice, but as a personal acquaintance and student of his, I often struggle to fully process the situation and bypass my own wants, needs, and perceptions. Regardless of my own situation, the college must conduct a more significant investigation and more seriously consider the allegations against him. We all attend this college for a reason, and for the administration to not actively ensure that justice and growth are at the heart of this campus is concerning.
With all due respect to the anonymous student who wrote this, I ask one thing: put yourself in the position of students in Iran - run by Mr. Mahallati's cabal of dictators - who do not even get to go to college just for wanting freedom!! They do not have the luxury of getting to go to college, let alone speak out against a professor. My advice to this student is to stop feeling sentimental about a man who must be held accountable for his share of crimes against humanity and specifically student his/her age!