Reflection
- What was your viewpoint regarding firearms, their uses and misuses, and legislation coming in to the project?
I was in the middle of the gun control issue. For the most part I understood both sides of the issue and the pain inflicted on each stance. My only hard lined opinion was that we should protect our kids more than our guns.
- In what ways was that viewpoint challenged by our class conversations, your research, and the exhibition?
It wasn't necessarily challenged. I have/had conservative friends who stood for guns and I understood why they did. It's not a gun problem it's a people problem and taking away guns won't fix it is what I gathered from most of their standpoints. I agreed with that although I thought that maybe taking away guns could help, I also know that humans are tenacious and anyone who is willing to go into a school and kill children is committed and will find a way.
- What adversity did you face during this project and how did you overcome it/make your way through it?
My adversity was internal. It was a battle with anxiety, depression, and trying not to let it tear me apart through painting the faces of dead students. I am a very empathetic person and just seeing and reading their stories made me feel such a loss of hope. I overcame it through the faces of my friends and teachers.
- In what ways did you contribute to your group and the class as a whole?
Honestly, it was just the paintings. I didn't have the mental state to handle anything else really. This year has been a real struggle internally.
- What can you point to in the exhibition that is yours (e.g. something you made, researched, etc.)
Paintings! That is shown below.
I was in the middle of the gun control issue. For the most part I understood both sides of the issue and the pain inflicted on each stance. My only hard lined opinion was that we should protect our kids more than our guns.
- In what ways was that viewpoint challenged by our class conversations, your research, and the exhibition?
It wasn't necessarily challenged. I have/had conservative friends who stood for guns and I understood why they did. It's not a gun problem it's a people problem and taking away guns won't fix it is what I gathered from most of their standpoints. I agreed with that although I thought that maybe taking away guns could help, I also know that humans are tenacious and anyone who is willing to go into a school and kill children is committed and will find a way.
- What adversity did you face during this project and how did you overcome it/make your way through it?
My adversity was internal. It was a battle with anxiety, depression, and trying not to let it tear me apart through painting the faces of dead students. I am a very empathetic person and just seeing and reading their stories made me feel such a loss of hope. I overcame it through the faces of my friends and teachers.
- In what ways did you contribute to your group and the class as a whole?
Honestly, it was just the paintings. I didn't have the mental state to handle anything else really. This year has been a real struggle internally.
- What can you point to in the exhibition that is yours (e.g. something you made, researched, etc.)
Paintings! That is shown below.