Interview

Interview: C M

1.      Interviewer: C [giggles]. . . this is so hard! Okay. . . [papers shuffling]. C, who are you? Interviewee: Mary, I am a history major at Ohio University. I am studying women in the Holocaust. Female guards specifically. . . uh. . . yeah, that’s it.

2.      Interviewer: How long have you been in OUHA?

Interviewee: Geez. . . . Four years. Yeah, four years.

Interviewer: Don’t worry. I’ve been in it for three! Yeah, three years?

3.      Interviewer: What do you love about history?

Interviewee: That’s such a difficult question to answer. I mean, why I was interested in history is a mess. I was interested in my family’s Nazi past . . . But I can’t say that. I just love it. It’s intellectually stimulating. It’s the only thing I can do, ya know?

4.      Interviewer: Why do you participate in OUHA events/activities?

Interviewee: I plan them, that’s why [laughs]. . . No, seriously, I think that I participate in them, I plan them, uh. . . because there isn’t another organization on campus which brings these people together. We’re a weird bunch, ya know? We need an outlet to get together, to be more social.

5.      Interviewer: Do you think you will seek a future career in history?

Interviewee: Yeah. I know that I will. But OUHA gives people a way to connect. To get career ideas, to swap experiences and things like that. That’s why I love it and that’s why we put up with everything for it. It’s stressful sometimes but I love it.

6.      Interviewer: How do you incorporate history into your life outside of OUHA?

Interviewee: I am always studying history. . . Outside of OUHA, I mean. Always. But it is only within the real of OUHA that we get to talk about history or anything we really want to talk about.

Interviewer: I know, I know what you mean. It’s like the only conversations I look forward to, seriously!

[GIGGLES]

7.      Interviewer: Do you think that your role as a history student affects your relationships outside of OUHA?

Interviewee: Yes, definitely. Aren’t yours?

Interviewer: Yeah, definitely.

Interviewee: Yeah, because only history majors understand what it is like to be obsessed with history like us? Everyone else thinks it’s boring or something.

8.      Interviewer: Do you think you are part of any subcultures?

Interviewee: I mean, I guess. My grandparents are German immigrants. I guess. . .

Interviewer: Don’t worry about this question too much, girl. It’s fine!

9.      Interviewer: Do you think OUHA is a subculture at OUHA?

Interviewee: Yes, I guess.

10.   Interviewer: Why? Let me clarify, why do you think OUHA is a specific subculture? 

Interviewee: Because . . . we are cliquey. We are exclusive. We are welcoming to everyone—on one condition, I guess.