“Today, the idea of the collective woman feels more necessary than ever. She is not limited to our immediate circle. She extends to the mothers of Gaza…”

“I am here today, not to give you answers,” Reed writes. “I am here today, not to give you an easy word or a quick fix. I came here today to agitate. I come here today to radicalize you. Because I believe that the solution can be found through collective action. Through organizing.”

Imagine a seminary that dares to struggle against the powers and entities that exist in order to construct a deeper imagination of its operations. Imagine a seminary that is fully prepared to disobey anything that the State expects of us when it conflicts with our moral values. Imagine a courageous seminary, not a seminary full of cowardice.

Student solidarity groups are following the lead of Palestinian communities who are resisting and fighting for the liberation of their homeland. Their words and actions guide us, and in the announcement of a selective divestment without disclosure, we believe more work is required for Union as an institution.

The author reflects on her journey into activism as a means of survival in the wake of Trump’s first presidency as well as the ways that queerness and religion shape their identity.