Student projects: Gaza Solidarity Encampment anonymous interview transcripts

I interviewed students of a variety of class years, roles at the encampment, experience levels with activism, identities, and skill sets. My interviews indicated that the encampment was important to narrators’ sense of self and community at Middlebury. One student stated that “they finally made friends,” while another expressed that they finally were “able to talk about this and grieve.” Students talked about the Shabbat dinner held at the encampment, the challenges of decision-making in tents in the cold and under pressure, the many teach-ins and workshops led by students and faculty alike, and much more. One narrator described Middlebury’s usual state as “sleepy.” Their experience of the encampment, however, was “intense,” overflowing with “energy” and “community.” Another narrator said that participating in the encampment was “the most alive I’ve felt in a long time,” while another described “we all of a sudden had this huge sense of purpose.” 

Campus encampments are vilified by some and glorified by others. The reality of the experience, according to my narrators, involved mess, disagreement, and conflict, but much more than that, enormous learning, community-building, belonging, connection, and empowerment.

–Ruby Taylor, Class of 2025