Broken: A Reflection on Domestic Violence

Broken
A Reflection on Domestic Violence

Broken plans
Broken table
Broken bones
Broken dreams
Broken heart
Broken image of the girl I knew
Picking up the pieces…

While reading the stories of battered women, I experienced an intense realization. I recognized something familiar in their stories, something that resembled me. The concept behind this project was to symbolize this realization as well as domestic violence in general.

I included broken mirrors in the center of the mosaic so that every woman and person can see a little of herself in the stories of other woman. Additionally, my piece presents an illusion to the observer. One may see the broken tiles being put back together, while others may see the image breaking apart. The answer: both. Much like the cycle of abusive in intimate relationships, it's difficult to tell just when the pieces have been picked up, or when they have fallen apart…

-- Emilee Gayle Drobbin, JD 2008

NB: One of our assignments was to complete a reflection project, which could be non-legal, personal reflections based on your interest in domestic violence issues. This project was intended to help tie together the domestic violence issues with our own personal development as a lawyer, and to reflect on those connections in a way to foster our personal and professional development.