“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”— Nelson Mandela

In the 9th grade, I saw this quote on my teacher’s wall and at the time I didn’t understand why education was being referred to as a weapon. As time passed, I learned that, like a weapon, education is powerful and can hurt people if used incorrectly.  I depicted a graduate exemplifying education as a form of freedom because with education you often (but not guaranteed) have better access to social mobility—college, jobs and a better future.

Created at the Social Justice Sewing Academy, Berkeley, CA