The Wellesley College community continues to organize events on campus in response to recent events in Israel and Palestine.
On October 26, a walkout was held in the Academic Quad at 2pm to show solidarity with Palestine. Students and faculty gathered in the Academic Quad waited for walkout organizers to identify themselves, but they did not. The students then came to the front of the crowd and began chanting, calling for the liberation of Palestine and the end of US funding to the Israeli government.
Wendy was one of the students who stood up and started chanting as she was dismissed. The first person took the lead and called for others to join, and then they stood up for the walkout.
“I think activism is growing and more people are feeling comfortable saying, ‘I don’t support genocide,'” Wendy said. “When everyone makes an effort and people post and repost on social media, even if you don’t do it, you’ll see that information more often in your feed, so you can base your efforts on that.” This brings us one step closer to taking action.”
On October 27, the Albright Institute held a panel discussion titled “Teach-in on Israeli-Palestinian Current Events” at Pendleton East. Panelists Nathaniel Sills (visiting lecturer in political science), Stacey Goddard (professor of political science), and Ridwien Kaptains (professor of history) discussed the political and legal interests surrounding events in Israel and Palestine. Provided information to the Wellesley community.
Wilma, a Jewish student at Wellesley College, believes that Wellesley’s Jewish community needs to be more open about discussing events in Israel and Palestine.
“I think this is important for the Jewish community to think, ‘How can we take away the pain and suffering that Jews have endured from this situation, how can we take past trauma out of this situation?'” “Many Jews will cite the Holocaust and say, ‘Jews deserve a homeland because of the trauma they endured,'” Wilma said. “I don’t deny it, but personally I don’t feel comfortable enjoying the security of having a homeland based on colonialism and, frankly, genocide. I think that’s a controversial view within the Jewish community.”
On Nov. 2, the on-campus Muslim student organization Al-Muslimat held a “Prayer for Palestine” on the chapel lawn at 6 p.m. Prayers were led by Pastor Amira and were followed by student-led reflections.
Wanda, who has been active in organizing student clubs and organizations, believes that while education is important for creating and sustaining activity, more can be done on campus to raise awareness. There is.
“The people I’ve spent time with remind me that things are still happening. It’s a little disappointing that people don’t act because it doesn’t affect them,” Wanda said. .
Organizing on campus has also taken issue with communications from Wellesley College. On October 11, President Johnson issued a statement to the university condemning Hamas. These are hostage-taking, indiscriminate killing of civilians, and acts of terrorism. ” On October 20, Johnson sent another email emphasizing the importance of inclusive excellence and introducing the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life as a support resource to the university community.
One student, Winnie, found both statements disappointing. “When I read these emails, it feels like they’re saying that Palestinian is forbidden. It feels like it’s a forbidden word that shouldn’t be said, that shouldn’t be acknowledged.” Winnie said. “These people are Palestinians. These people are not just Muslims, they are majority Muslims, but this is why administrators are fine with not addressing these issues. I just hope that the Wellesley administration will take accountability and acknowledge the humanitarian crisis and genocide that is happening and recognize the colonial powers.”
All students mentioned and quoted in the article have been granted anonymity to protect their identities.