Hi my name is Abby Schanfield, I am from Minneapolis and I am a political science major & a double minor in GWSS and Social Justice. Currently, I am in my Junior year here at the University of Minnesota.
The image that I attached is of an olive tree. Olive trees take generations to grow and bear fruit. However, they can be destroyed or heavily damaged and still regenerate as long as their intricate root system is kept in tact. I also especially like how these trees have twisted trunks.
I have a special connection to olive trees as they are very important to Jewish and Muslim biblical and cultural backgrounds. My family and community instilled in me a desire for social change and social justice. The olive tree reflects the inter connectivity of issues of justice as well as identities, people and communities. No social justice issue or person is an island unto itself. To deal with one issue, one has to recognize and try to understand others despite the appearance of being unrelated. We are all impacted by the choices or suffering of others.
Leave a comment