If I could have everyone in the world read just one book it would be “Why are all the black kids sitting together in the cafeteria? and other questions about race.” by Dr. Beverly D. Tatum. I think everyone in the world should read this book because both the content and quality of reading make it an enriching read that forces people to think deeply about the systems in place that influence the way we live. Reading Dr. Tatum's book helped me to learn more about the ways that racism and prejudice are subtly ingrained in our society, their historical roots, and how we can combat it in our sphere of influence to be agents of change within our communities and the wider world. I read this book as leisure when I found a signed copy of the book on my mother’s college bookshelf. I felt a personal connection to the book and the author as I read the inscription on the inside cover to my mother from Dr. Tatum. This book can remind us that our world is not perfect, but it gives us the necessary drive and language to be inspired to focus our energy on changing it. Regardless of who you are, we all can do our part to make the world a better place than what we’ve been given. Whether writing a book like Dr. Tatum, making speeches, or going out of our way to help people, we all have something to contribute that can make a difference in the world around us. While this book made me feel gloomy at times, it also gave me hope and motivation to do my part to walk across the room and always attempt to understand the point of view of someone whose experiences are entirely opposite to mine. I’m an avid reader and enjoy a fun read as much as the next person; a book like this one is thought-provoking and provides me the academic and cultural knowledge to understand and interrogate my own family history, identity, and impact of colorism, racism, colonization, and immigration on my lived experience. While touching on controversial and complex topics, it has provided me with insight and understanding that will positively impact my interactions and success in life and would benefit anyone to read it.

I love several pieces by Jean-Michel Basquiat. The reason I love them is that I have a habit of getting caught up in realism and perfectionism, and the thought process that everything I do needs to be only straight lines and perfect shapes. Looking at Basquiat's artwork helps remind me that there is no one way to do art neither is there a right way. Art can have different purposes. You can make art because you want to make something pretty, or you can be trying to convey an emotion. You can experiment with the human form and the form of different parts of life. I love Basquiat's work because it reminds me of why I love art in the first place. I don't love art because it looks like a photograph, or because it captures a subject in full realism. I love art because you could have ten artists convey the same subject and end up with artwork that is so unique and true to each artist. I enjoy how Basquiat uses shapes, lines, and contrasting colors to convey thoughts, feelings, and people. His art is just an image, but an experience. Every time I look at his pieces I notice another detail I hadn't seen before, and that makes the viewing experience so much more interesting for me. I appreciate his work not because it is like mine, but because it isn't, and viewing his work can inspire me to push my boundaries. Locking myself in one type of art stops me from growing. Rather, pushing myself out of my comfort zone forces me to see art and the world in a vastly different way.

1. I am one person named Isabel in a world of people trying to do something right 2. Trying two make the world a better place through intersectional facites of life 3. Through three things the arts sciences and humanities 4. four the underprivileged and underrepresented The people left behind I want to count the things I do through how much I can help people not how much money I've made or how I move upwards in life I want not just to hear but to listen not to just look at people but to see them Fully and Truly In all that I do

When I was young I was in a pet store with my parents when I saw a white parrot in a cage. When I saw the parrot I told my parents "that bird shouldn't be in there, birds are meant to be free, they are supposed to fly." I think that is the meaning of life. The meaning of life is to fly and soar. To explore and see new sights and learn new points of understanding. I try to achieve this by going to diverse places and talking to different types of people from around the world. I resist measuring success and happiness for myself by how much I produce and I instead measure success through how many new things I can learn. You can fly by what you enjoy, making human connections, discovering new places. Similarly, I put a lot of value on being the person to help lift people up and help them acquire what they desire in life. I feel dedicated to being on the runway to get people who need that help off the ground. I believe that flying alone is a very lonely venture and it Is more meaningful for everyone if we all fly together. An aerial migration to a better world for us all.