From Campus to Cause: Inspiring Action for Palestine and Beyond

A blog by Elena Sarigeorgiou, GHRH Young Expert

Young girls around the world are leading social movements, demonstrating that neither age nor gender limits the power of activism. From advocating for racial justice and climate action to highlighting human rights violations, young leaders are stepping up to create change in their schools, neighborhoods, and online spaces. This trend reflects a generation committed to confronting injustice, with activism becoming more accessible than many realize. In a recent interview with a college student advocating for Palestine, a powerful message comes up: advocacy begins with your story, your community, and the courage to take that first step. 

Everyday Activism 

1. Please share a bit about your background and what inspired you to start advocating for Palestine? 

Half-Palestinian, half-Assyrian college student Jenna Oshana found her calling for advocacy through campus life. While looking for a sense of community, she discovered her campus’s Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter. “First off, I thought it would attract other Palestinians or at least other Arabs. Then I was like, ‘Let me join to meet new people.’” What started as a search for cultural connection grew into a commitment to telling her people's story. 

Her personal connection to Palestine had always been part of her identity. However, the academic space gave her a new perspective. College classes and exposure to media

bias against Palestinians awakened a sense of urgency within her. “I knew I had to advocate and make sure that I was the one who was able to tell my story, my history, my people's story, and not people who are trying to diminish what's really going on.” Through advocacy, she found her community and also an accessible platform to amplify the truth about Palestine, ensuring that authentic voices are heard. 

2. What does your work as a campus activist look like day-to-day? 

The day-to-day of advocating can vary depending on the current issues being addressed. "Honestly, it kind of looked different depending on what we were dealing with," Jenna explains. A lot of the work involved responding to statements from the administration, which often meant writing statements in response or holding meetings. "A lot of the times you'd be reactionary to administration... that could look like writing up statements or meeting as a group, seeing: how do we want to solidify our platform?" These meetings were important for keeping everyone aligned and focused on their goals. 

In addition to these immediate responses, the group also worked on longer-term goals, like pushing for divestment or supporting various student coalitions. “We also have side projects going on, like what do our coalitions want, and how can we move pushes for divestment and student government?” This work is collaborative and horizontal, meaning everyone contributes equally, allowing for a shared sense of responsibility and direction. “We all collaborated together,” she emphasizes, showing that the group thrives on teamwork rather than hierarchy. 

Despite the diversity of tasks, the core activities of meetings, planning, and writing kept the group focused on their mission. While no two days looked exactly the same, the consistency of collaboration, advocacy, and campus outreach is key to their success. 

3. How do you handle pushback or criticism about your organizing or involvement? 

Navigating backlash and criticism is a significant part of advocacy work, and Jenna emphasized the importance of unity and understanding as a response. “We get so much pushback and criticism,” she said, explaining how the organization manages this. This extends to how they address misrepresentation and negative narratives. “How you label is one of the biggest weapons out there. I think you can dismiss us as something that we're not just by your word.” 

To combat this, the group focuses on education and clarity within their team. “Being confident that me, as well as all the members who are involved in our activism, know what it is that we stand for, know what tropes are used against us and what it is that we actually stand for.” By upholding a unified platform, they effectively navigate the challenges of criticism. “Making sure that we're all united in what it is that we're striving for, I think is the best way to handle that.” 

Personal Growth and Global Perspectives 

4. What has advocacy taught you about yourself or the world?

By becoming an advocate, Jenna realized her own capacity for leadership, a role she never expected to take on. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, "Honestly, I didn’t know I had it in me. I didn’t know I was capable of it– to lead people." Despite her initial uncertainty, she has found herself in a position where others seek her guidance on how to get involved. It’s empowering. Her advocacy work also requires her to reflect on the world, particularly when it comes to the portrayal of Palestine in the media. Through her advocacy, Jenna now feels able to say, "I’m Palestinian," and have it be understood in a way it never was before. Ultimately, she believes that "change can happen," and that it starts with individuals taking action. 

5. In your opinion, how does transnational activism contribute to the Palestinian cause? 

Advocacy has taught Jenna the impact of transnational activism in amplifying the Palestinian cause. She believes that the cause's prominence today is from the solidarity it receives from marginalized groups worldwide. "The reason that our cause is so prominent now is because so many people can relate to it," she explains. Many colonized and marginalized communities, particularly in the U.S., empathize with the Palestinian struggle, seeing it as part of a broader fight against injustice. "So many marginalized groups in the US can relate to that," she notes. Through transnational activism, Palestinians are not only able to humanize their cause but also create a global network of support. This interconnected fight for justice reflects a shared struggle for liberation, as Jenna emphasizes: "To fight for Palestine, to fight for complete liberation of all marginalized groups, it's just one context within the larger issue." This perspective has deepened her understanding of activism’s power to unite and inspire change, no matter the location. 

Gender and Activism 

6. Have you faced any gender-specific challenges in activism? or moments of inspiration? 

When reflecting on the impact of gender on her activism, Jenna noted: “I feel like with advocating for Palestine, it’s a very inclusive type of cause.” This inclusivity has allowed her to draw inspiration from others, particularly women, who have taken on leadership roles and paved the way for change. For this advocate, women have played a pivotal role in shaping her journey and encouraging her involvement in the movement. “I think that you see women honestly spearheading this movement a lot,” she reflects, noting how female leaders in her community have deeply influenced her own journey. She frequently sees women delivering powerful speeches at protests and taking on critical organizing responsibilities. “Every time I go to a protest, it’s always a girl giving the speech. And even in organizing spaces, I got into it because I was inspired by my female friends.”

These women not only model leadership but also make the path to activism more accessible. For her, connecting with experienced female organizers was key to her entry into the movement. “I don’t know, there’s always women in these spaces who I find to be like natural leaders,” she says. Their presence and guidance provided her with a sense of support and direction. While she acknowledges that her perspective may be influenced by her own identity as a girl, it’s clear that women play a central role in the activism she’s engaged with. Their leadership inspires and creates spaces where new advocates feel empowered to join the movement. These moments of inspiration highlight the contributions girls make to grassroots activism and social justice efforts. 

7. What advice would you give to other young women who are passionate about human rights but are unsure where to start? 

Advocacy has taught Jenna the importance of taking small steps and finding support through others. She advises, "Literally just look at who it is that inspires you, or who is it that you know is doing something similar that you want to do and just go with them." Her own journey began by being inspired by her friends and asking questions like, "What do you do? How can I get more involved?" By putting herself in spaces where she felt comfortable and surrounded by people she trusted, Jenna was able to gradually build her confidence in activism. She stresses that activism may seem daunting at first, but it’s not as intimidating as it appears. "They want the numbers. They are always willing to encourage people to get more involved," she says. Jenna encourages others to push past their discomfort, believing that stepping out of one's comfort zone leads to personal growth and meaningful involvement in causes that matter.