An Oral History Project Conducted by John Robert Lewis Scholar Jackelinne Claros Benitez
Project Description
The trip to Alabama radicalized me in that I became more confident to express my opinions as the daughter of Salvadoran Civil War survivors, a student, and a minoritized individual; overall, someone with empathy and humanity. Initially, I planned to interview my father about his experiences with the Salvadoran Civil War; however, this is always challenging for him to reiterate since the Salvadoran government murdered two of my uncles since they were wrongfully accused of conspiring against the government for being professors. While I love hearing my father speak about his experiences, I have done this multiple times for other assignments, so I wanted to focus on something new.
As a student activist, I wanted to center my project on the student intifada, specifically at Dartmouth, and recent occurrences that have affected hundreds of us—whether Dartmouth students or the ubiquitous student body. As a result, I decided to interview Professor Orleck, a professor who stood in front of danger (riot police in gear, including rifles and batons) to protect her students and stand for Palestinian liberation. Although I, unfortunately, did not have the chance to take a class of hers, close friends have always spoken highly of her. From witnessing her arrest to her journey to being solidified as a legend through her media attention and bravery, I knew I had to contact her for an interview. I knew she had the revolutionary spirit that John Lewis had all those decades.
Oral History Interview with Annelise Orleck - 07/01/2024
Presentation Slides
Presentation Recording