Welcome to the Vigil
The Vigil is a W&L student-run magazine that was formed in 2017 by passionate students interested in creating a platform for underrepresented, opinionated, or silenced individuals. The Vigil focuses on works relating to violations of the W&L community's trust, unspoken or concealed issues, and the difficulties and injustices students and faculty experience. We also promote giving praise and credit to the individuals and organizations who build W&L's sense of acceptance, safety, community, and inclusiveness.
Most Recent Posts
A Residence of Agency by Leia Barrow
It wasn’t until that question, why are you here, came from the lips of a complete stranger on Lee-Jackson Day earlier this year that I really gave it any thought. Or more importantly, an answer.
I’m here because it is time for Washington and Lee to change. I am supposed to be a part of that change. I am that change—my very presence incites change.
(photo by Nolan Zunk)
I’m here because it is time for Washington and Lee to change. I am supposed to be a part of that change. I am that change—my very presence incites change.
(photo by Nolan Zunk)
Reflecting on My Time at W&L by Tran Kim-Senior
My relationship with Washington and Lee as an alum has been complicated. I’m grateful for so many things that came from my undergraduate experience at W&L but also feel incredible frustration and anger for what was lacking in my experience. I’ve spent much of the last 15 years as an alum putting my feelings on a far back burner and have avoided thinking too much about my feelings towards W&L because geographic distance from the university gave me an excuse to not engage. Now that I’ve returned to my home state of Virginia, I feel a call to engage critically with my feelings towards W&L.
(photo by Nolan Zunk)
(photo by Nolan Zunk)
A Culture of Entitlement and Marginalization by Mickie Brown
In fact, joining the Greek system seemed as if it was the only way to have a social life on campus - I mean who would ever want to be a God Damn Independent (GDI) as we are too often referred to by first years and those in the Greek system.
(photo by Nolan Zunk)
(photo by Nolan Zunk)
Dear Professor by Anonymous
Dear Professor,
I know you mean well.
I really do.
I know you feel an immense pressure to please the class majority. You don’t want to oppress a student’s freedom of speech; you want to create a safe-space for all.
However, how do you think I feel?
(photo by Nolan Zunk)
I know you mean well.
I really do.
I know you feel an immense pressure to please the class majority. You don’t want to oppress a student’s freedom of speech; you want to create a safe-space for all.
However, how do you think I feel?
(photo by Nolan Zunk)
Friday Underground: Director’s Notes by Micah Holcomb
Friday Underground, dubbed FUDG (fudge) opened on the very first Friday of the 2015-2016 academic year. For five years since that night, we’ve run the biggest, most consistent operation on-campus (sorry, Mock Con). This note is about who we are and what we do. This is about our passion.
The Move to Coed Housing by Chase Isbell
I argue that the university make all available housing coed and move away from the arbitrary model of majority single-gender housing.
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