Equality is a word that the United States promises equality for all, yet forgets animals are living, emotional creatures as well. Thus we must extend this principle it to all beings on this planet and illegalize animal testing. I picked an animal issue for a specific reason. I am a strong activist of human rights, and found a lot of the issues my peers chose to be very heavy on my heart. However, animals are not represented in our court systems, they cannot explain that they do not want their children killed. Humans can speak for themselves to a degree, we can alter our laws to protect one anothers liberty, but for animals I believe they are extremely underrepresented. I wanted to fight for the minority whose most burdened with injustice on our planet. Through this project I found the facts necessary to back up my emotional argument, and found a way to get my foot in the door to spark change on a local level. Through this project, the most significant advice I took away was from my amazing teacher Ashley. Though I am just a drop of water, what is the ocean but a multitude of drops? Basically, that my individual actions make a difference, and the worlds problems do not have to be burdened just upon my shoulders.
My first draft of the op-ed exceeded 1700 words, and my content was a scattered mess of complex language and emotions. Because I am so passionate about this issue, I allowed my emotional mindset to run the entire piece. But after critically reading through it without being attached, I saw great areas of improvement and incorporated stronger philosophies, facts and credible sources into my argument which strengthened my logos and ethos. A pathos mindset came easily to me, and this project helped me learn to deattatch myself from the worlds problems and not take them all on in one moment of my infinity. I cultivated the skill of not loosing my reader in a factual article trying to twist it with a poetic justice, weaving in metaphors. Instead of creating a beautiful art piece I decided to take action, because my conscience couldn't stand anything less. In the project, The Morality's of Justice, I explored what was the best way the United States government could respond to the issue of animal testing. I embedded my mind, body and soul into creating my own herbal lotions etc. I actually brought some to the exhibition to show people there are so many other options besides using the cheap name brand products. I also created a petition and got a significant amount of signatures that I will actually be discussing with City Council. I am also hosting a meeting with local companies to urge them to only buy quality, cruelty free products as they are the heart of Durango and should provide merchandise that has clean history. I showcased heartbreaking pictures and provided the public with lists of companies that test on animals and common procedures. People were shocked, some every cried and couldn't believe all the atrocities that went on. My action piece was designed to bring together a community in act of protest to the multi billion dollar corporations that are taking hold of innocent animals lives and the shelves in our kitchens. I believe this project showcases my strengths because it displayed my passion and desire to speak for those who cannot. I transcended my parties views, my mothers views, and showed the just course of action for the world to take. I am, a sensitive, analytical person. I remember after putting up my petition. The feeling I got after every single signature made my heart smile. However, a few students thought of my project as a joke, and wrote crude comments about animal testing as well as me. It hurt, and I had to use white out quite a few times in one day. I cried for awhile over it, and took the words to heart because I had spent so much time working on this. But I had an epiphany and realized that there are always going to be individuals trying to pull me down, but no one can make me feel inferior unless I give them my consent. Looking back on all the people who did sign it, who wanted to make a difference, that was what I focused on for the rest of the day. Throughout my life, I have dived deep into the injustices of the world, wanting to save the suppressed but finding I myself drowned in their tears. The world scares me, all of the wrongdoings, all of the pain. Sometimes I can't handle it and just explode into a million pieces, feeling each scar of other individuals. This project was the first step I have taken in a long time to deattatch my emotional well being from others. And its hard, believe me it's so hard. Because I want to save everyone from their pain, but this project made me realize I can still be an activist while not jeopardizing my mental health. Watching the videos online, I felt the scientists blood on my hands, guilty by association, guilty by my species. I often take on everyone elses wrongdoings, my entire species and as a result become very paranoid, loosing my identity and thinking I am the killers and the murderers because we trace back to the same roots. Ashley, I know you're reading this, and I just want to thank you for making me feel like I am one of the good ones. That I am not tainted because of our species past. You're a good one too.
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May 2016
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