Artifact 5
Elective// theatre
11TH- 12TH GR. // MR.RIVAS
SOCial Issue Skit.UC PERSONAL STATEMENT - CREATIVITY
I became aware of the importance that the role of creativity played in my life at a very young age; I began to use my creative abilities to their greatest extent, beyond visual journals and class assignments. Although my creativity manifests itself in many ways, performing arts has become an outlet for my social advocacy. I have always been drawn to art because it has the power to challenge preconceived notions by fostering new perspectives. Art and creativity is an instrumental force in my life and I strongly believe that it has altered my outlook on life and has shed light onto social issues.
In theatre class, my peers and I were assigned the task to create a skit based and I suggested to create it based on bullying and discrimination against the LGBTQ community. I enjoy discussing social issues, so I was excited because I firmly believe that discussion allows for the fostering and recognizing different perspectives. Our skit gave broader perspective of how this issue affects people differently within the same community through artistic expression. The skit consisted of three main characters, each character shared their experience as an LGBTQ youth. I strived to showcase different examples of what it is to live in a world where some may not welcome people who identify as LGBTQ, in order to add diverse opinions and emotions on the subject. As director and cowriter of the skit, my objective was to enable the audience to attain a tangible and coherent representation of a social issue that is present in my community. I aspire to raise awareness of injustices that the LGBTQ community encounters to decrease the use of verbal derogatory terms in my school. I aim to continue my advocacy by creating an open art space for youth where acceptance and tolerance are prevalent and expected. In my junior year I had the opportunity to enroll in ASGL's theatre class, since then, I have become more confident in my actions and have come to experience the passion that I hold for the arts. |
COMMUNICATE IDEAS, RECOGNIZE PERSPECTIVES, TAKE ACTION
RECOGNIZE PERSPECTIVES
In a society in which we are all still learning to accept beliefs and morals that are different from our own beliefs and morals, to recognize and consider the perspectives of everyone is still an impactful beginning for change. In Theatre, our assignment was to create a skit on a social issue, while everyone else was creating one about bullying my group and I decided to still talk about bullying but about how it exists in the lives of LGBTQ + youth. I believe that art is a very important and effective tool when trying to foster new ideas and perspectives, therefore I knew that talking about this issue through a skit was going to catch the attention of my peers. Although I wanted to advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ lives through the skit, I didn't know how too, due to the fact that I myself am not LGBT or have been bullied. Instead, my group and I searched up forums in which LGBT youth told their real life stories on what they have faced in their lives. In the skit we allowed the audience to see what discrimination can do to the self esteem of different groups. My hope for the final product of the skit was that my peers understood the importance of respecting others and how this specific subject has impacted many.
TAKE ACTION
Although our society has come to accept the differences that make us who we are, we are still not at 100%. Whether it is possible or not to create a world in which we all strive to accept one another, it is important to work and build towards acceptance. In many cases, I have heard many derogatory terms and slurs being used as if it were okay to use those terms, unfortunately, it has been something that I've witnessed at ASGL as well. At times, some may use menacing terms and slurs because they don't know otherwise, they aren't knowledgeable about the meaning of words and how it can affect others. That is why, my mission through this skit was to reflect on the negative scenarios that I have witnessed and educate through words and expression. Even if I may have not been able to get through to everyone, I know that I did my best to take action against discrimination in a passionate and coherent way. In the future, I hope to continue to educate others about social justice and why it matters.
|