138: Transnational Solidarity Against Israeli Apartheid and Founding the Palestine Heirloom Seed Library with Vivien Sansour

The Maverick Show with Matt Bowles

Vivien Sansour reflects on growing up in Bethlehem, Palestine, under Israeli military occupation, and connecting with the Palestinian land and the nature as a child. She then opens up about her experience immigrating to the U.S. at age 10 and navigating anti-Arab racism in North Carolina. Vivien reflects on the humiliation deeply ingrained in the immigrant experience and shares her personal journey in developing resilience and self-love. She then talks about her connection with agriculture, plants and seeds, and founding the Palestine Heirloom Seed Library in 2014. Vivien provides context on how Israeli colonialism severs Palestinians from their food source and then goes on to talk about Palestinian agro-resistance and how seeds provide an opportunity not only to resist but to create. She explains how Israeli Apartheid confines Palestinians to an open air prison and severely restricts their movement. Vivien then talks about her early desires to travel the world and shares her experiences in Argentina and Uruguay. She then reflects on the transnational solidarity with the Palestinian struggle, including the closeness she feels with the African-American community. FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT: www.TheMaverickShow.com