Calling myself a “bookworm” would not be drastic enough to describe my affinity for literature. If ignoring my classmates for novels was a career, I would be considered a lucrative business woman. Needless to say, my childhood was dotted with books a plenty and I will continue to carry an intense love for fiction well into my adulthood. Despite my childhood being filled with stories, it was not until I stumbled upon Anne of Green Gables that I found a novel that truly resonated with me. L.M. Montgomery transported me into the flourishing fictional world of Avonlea, and ever since my first reading, I never left that beautiful isle. The writing appealed to my meticulous mind with flowery, romantic language. The merits of the story are recognized worldwide, but the prose latched to my heart, affecting me in a very personal way. Before this book I was not exposed to literature that featured women as main characters, let alone young women and girls. Middle School novels were often filled with drivel that mocked traditionally feminine likes and hobbies. L.M. Montgomery taught me that the soft and "girly" aspects of life are divine and meant to be appreciated rather than scorned. Moreover, Anne of Green Gables inspires me to this day because of its unabashed attitude towards the treatment of women and girls in society. The series never wavers in its true message; gender equality is vital to a strong society.

In recent years, pandemics and impending wars have seemingly overtaken all facets of life. Moreover, the media’s lifeblood is tragedy, with the statement “If it bleeds, it leads” becoming the most titular rule in reporting. With the digital age, the public is flooded with the badness and immorality of the world everyday and while tragedies must be broadcasted to keep people informed, the sheer weight of negativity in society is bound to become a stressor to the people of the world. Thus, our everyday lives have intertwined with tragedy; another threat, another corruption, another shooting, we have all been affected by the cruelty of the world we live in. In these trying times, virtues like peace and calmness are thrown to the wayside. I attempt to embody these virtues in my art so the viewer feels a sense of calmness when they look at my paintings. More than ever, the world needs peace and in some small way, I want to positively impact the world by showcasing peace in my work.

America, home of the free and land of the brave, this phrase is ingrained in American culture and featured in the national anthem. This country is often revered as the freest nation in the world, with patriotism valued more than traits like integrity and kindness. Despite the propaganda pushed by this nation, many Americans do not experience true freedom, being ridiculed for race, religion, ethnicity, immigration status, and sexuality. Moreover, true freedom in America is hoarded by white men and women, leaving minority groups in the dust. Advocating for black women in America is desperately needed considering all that they have contributed to impactful movements, from Stonewall to BLM, and the under-represented minority deserves recognition. Furthermore, black women face societal and governmental discrimination and these are the social issues I want to change. Woefully, black women are forced to endure medical racism in multiple facets. A smaller change, like requiring medical diagrams and photos to be printed with black women as well as white women would make all the differences, causing dermatologists to study and know the signs of different skin ailments as they appear on darker skin as well as the expertise they possess when it comes to lighter skin. Secondly, autism in black women goes regrettably undiagnosed because the diagnostic criteria is mainly centered around white men. As a black woman with autism, I am not taken as seriously as my male counterparts. A diagnosis can be necessary for black girls and women to receive the aid they need to function properly, and depriving them of that because of their race and gender is unethical. Focusing on this social issue, I would require that the internalized bigotry psychologists harbor towards black women be discouraged in medical school as well as mending the language in the DSM-5 and other diagnostic tests to appeal to a diversified autistic community. Black women should never suffer at the hands of ignorance. Police brutality is a systematic social issue that I would challenge by pursuing means of actively punishing police officers who abuse their power, as well as encouraging legislature that actively combats brutality while on active duty. Inherent biases in America towards black men and women have always existed and they bleed into every part of the nation, including the officers we must entrust with our safety. If an officer is accused of police brutality, with probable cause, I would implement laws stating that an officer must not be afforded administrative leave because an officer acting unjustly while on duty but still receiving their wages sets a bad precedent for the American police force, that murder and brutality are acceptable. Body cams are another hot button issue in America. The argument can be simply ended by stating that police officers are required to keep their body and squad cameras on at all times during active duty to discourage officers from abusing the power granted to them by the government. Prior to 2020, South Carolina was the only state with laws that require body cameras to be on at all times, but the BLM movement swayed multiple states into adding body camera requirements into their legislature; however, these laws should be federally mandated and sanctioned. All in all, black women must fight twice as hard for the freedoms and respect given to other Americans. While social issues will take time, dedication, and heart to fully eradicate, resillentness is in the heart of every black woman and someday discrimination will be fixed. If given the opportunity, these are the issues I would solve.

My upbringing is unimaginable to my peers, but for me, my mother’s death was the tragic reality I endured at ten years old. I could go into depth about the ravages that stage four lung cancer takes on a person. Describing her degrading physical and mental health would make for a taxing essay, and frankly, it would not do my mother, Keisha Kirkland, justice. Despite her illness, her indisputable determination shined, as she never gave up and put on a brave face for her only child. Keisha was unequivocally intelligent, earning her doctorate and pushing me to achieve academically are only snapshots of the numerous representations of her intellect. Moreover, she instilled in me the morals I still hold to this day, and I firmly believe a part of her lives in me. When she passed, I watched a wave of devastation wash over my family. The funeral procession, clad in black, trudged along with teary eyes. The world wept the day my mother died because of the many lives she impacted during her short life. While others wept for my mother, I was silent, worried that my agony would be disruptive. With the death of Keisha, I became a husk of my former, fun and chatty self. My father did his best, but living in a single-parent household with no siblings meant I learned how to take care of myself quickly. “You’re so mature”. Adults uttered this praise more times than imaginable. Naivete twisted those words into perceived compliments which I happily accepted, but looking back I bristle at the thought of a child needing to fend for themselves. On the other hand, my classmates colored me haughty for not playing their imaginative games, but in actuality the fervent spirit I possessed faded away and games lost their luxury. My perspective on life completely changed and pessimism became my cruch. Living in a single-parent household did have positive effects however, because the loss caused me to become a perfectionist, always striving to keep my mother proud despite the difficult times. Furthermore, her influence is still present in me as I embody her assiduous nature, taking great care in all of my endeavors. If she were alive today, she would be proud of my accomplishments and though she has passed, a part of her lives in me.

Calling myself a “bookworm” would not be drastic enough to describe my affinity for literature. If ignoring my classmates for novels was a career, I would be considered a lucrative business woman. Needless to say, my childhood was dotted with books a plenty and I will continue to carry an intense love for fiction well into my adulthood. Despite my childhood being filled with stories, it was not until I stumbled upon Anne of Green Gables that I found a novel that truly resonated with me. L.M. Montgomery transported me into the flourishing fictional world of Avonlea, and ever since my first reading, I never left that beautiful isle. The writing appealed to my meticulous mind with flowery, romantic language. The merits of the story are recognized worldwide, but the prose latched to my heart, affecting me in a very personal way. Before this book I was not exposed to literature that featured women as main characters, let alone young women and girls. Middle School novels were often filled with drivel that mocked traditionally feminine likes and hobbies. L.M. Montgomery taught me that the soft and "girly" aspects of life are divine and meant to be appreciated rather than scorned. Moreover, Anne of Green Gables inspires me to this day because of its unabashed attitude towards the treatment of women and girls in society. The series never wavers in its true message; gender equality is vital to a strong society.