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At Dartmouth, there are tons of opportunities to get involved in a wide array of political organizations. More recently, the Dartmouth Palestine Solidarity Coalition has begun doing events again; as a Middle Eastern Studies major, having this opportunity to celebrate Palestinian culture and history has been excellent! This week, we had a really fun Arab American poetry night to enjoy some Middle Eastern snacks, chat with each other, and share poetry related to Arab heritage.

At the beginning of the night, we distributed authentic Hirbawi Keffiyehs to everyone who attended. The Keffiyeh is a checker cloth type of scarf, and is a symbol of Palestinian culture and solidarity. Afterwards, we were able to begin with some original poetry written by Hamed Sinno, lead singer of Lebanese band Mashrou' Leila. He is currently a graduate student at Dartmouth, and hearing his original poetry was truly touching; in his work, he explores the intersection of Lebanese and queer identities in the modern world, and does so artistically and personally. 

Soon, other participants shared the poetry of Etel Adnan, Ghassan Kanafani, Lisa Suhair Majaj, and other Arab poets. These poems explored themes of immigration to America, Arab identity, and relationship to homeland; listening to them was enriching, and it was especially interesting to hear why individuals selected certain poems and what those poems meant to them. 


photo of me
A photo of me at the poetry night!

A wide variety of Middle Eastern and American snacks were provided: pita chips with hummus, along with cupcakes and other sweets. While sharing snacks, people shared their own Arab identities, from Lebanon to Syria to Morocco. Getting to know so many new people was great, and I think that's one of the best things about Dartmouth. The wide variety of student organizations means that there is something for everyone, and it's really easy to find people who share similar interests and passions. 

For future students ('26s!) I encourage you to fully immerse yourselves in the wealth of student organizations available on campus, as these can be some of the most enriching experiences during your terms at Dartmouth. Personally, being involved with organizations like the Arabic Club, Palestine Solidarity Coalition, World Outlook, and many others have allowed me to meet so many different people and have so many unforgettable experiences. Being able to bond over shared interests with classmates outside of an academic setting is beneficial both socially and mentally. 

 

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