Music is difficult to define, as it has many genres, artists, etc. My definition of music is a blissful escape from reality, into a state of mind where there is only raw expression through clefs and key signatures. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I have had my fair share of slurs and degradation thrown at me. I was born into very differing sides of family, one side containing people that openly accepts people of my sexuality, and the other side containing some people who scrunch their noses at the idea of homosexuality. I at first had to push aside my feelings and pretend to not accept who I was to make others around me satisfied. The first time I picked up a violin was when inspiration, my sister, discovered the instrument by the Celtic Women ensemble. As the incredibly talented Máiréad Nesbitt played with full passion, that sparked inspiration for my sister, and I quickly picked up that inspiration as well. I found myself playing louder and louder, as I became incredibly expressive with my playing. I visibly swayed with the rhythm of the songs. My sister and teachers praised me and pushed me to play more difficult pieces of music. My grandmother noticed my talent, and invested all she could into music performance opportunities, such as Fargo-Moorhead Youth Symphony, and lessons at Amped School of Music. I attended countless inspiring symphony concerts and solo performances by my favorite soloist, Kim Chee Yun. The way the music lights her up is astonishing to me. She made music with the violin in ways I never imagined, like playing behind the bridge. I wanted to mirror that stellar energy, but I encountered difficulty when I began experiencing racism, and homophobia, that drastically reduced my self confidence. As a Native American bisexual woman, I have been unfortunately called many filthy things. Some insults were more creative than others, but all equally degrading. The first time I experienced racism is when my grandmother and I were searched in a Sams Club, simply because we had a more tan complexion. Ever since then, I entirely lost faith and respect in those who believe they can establish authority through slurs, insults, and threats. I questioned how I could be viewed as villainous simply because of my sexuality and race. Despite the anger and negativity, I pushed myself musically to prove to myself that race, sexuality, and physical characteristics do not define an individual. I strongly believe it is what makes you passionate that defines who you are as a person. I poured my heart into every solo I did, despite my nervousness. I had a shaky hand before each performance, but I still managed to pour everything I had into each note. I experience bliss from the praise and from the sound of my violin. I have been shaped through music and through those who pushed me to reach higher. I have an entire life ahead of me, and I know music will greatly influence it. Ever since 7th grade, I dreamed of becoming a music educator. I have maintained that same career goal my entire life. I plan to attend North Dakota State University for Music Education, because of the influence music has planted on me. I believe that music has in some way positively affecting everyone, and everyone deserves to feel the delightful escape of music.

The development of technology has influenced the practices of today's society. As technology evolves, so does humanity. With the intelligence of every reliable website, article, and movie accessible in your pocket, the world is given limitless opportunists. The connection we can make to different areas all around the world via smartphones is memorizing. If we wish to view the Great Wall of China, all it takes it a couple of clicks. Although there are several positives to this, it can be used negatively. The Internet was intended to be strictly used for good purposes, such as family contact, easy access to products, etc. However, there are people who have taken the power of the Internet and used it against others. According to BullyingStatistics.org, approximately 1 in 3 young people have experienced threats and cyber bullying through their cell phones. As time goes by, the number of cyber bullying cases are steadily increasing. Along with the intense bullying, phones are causing countless deaths from car accidents. As one cruises down the road, they are automatically at risk of being hit. However, if they are distracted by their cellphone, the percentage of danger increases dramatically. According to AutoAccident.com, 26 percent of all collisions are due to distracted phone usage. As the number of cases rise, companies and law makers are scrambling to make adjustments to seek needed change. On April 12th, 2019, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota signed a hands-free bill that restricted all phone usage while driving. Currently, 48 of the 50 states have also banned the usage of phones while behind the wheel. If a driver is caught using his or her cell phone, but did not harm anyone, they could be charged a $50,000 fine. If that same situation occurs with a person killed in collision, the driver may serve 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. Though I do not have experience using my phone while behind the wheel, I have always been uncomfortable in a car with a distracted driver. As a child, I have seen members of my family text while making occasional glances back up at the road. I was not aware of the dangers of this action, as I had full trust, and did not understand traffic laws and dangers. Growing up, I noticed more and more close calls due to the usage of phones. I began feeling uncomfortable, and at one point needed to quickly inform the driver that they were about to get hit. Since that point, I have began informing my friends and family of the dangers and possible consequences of this action. I am now noticing less people I am close with using their phones while they drive. To sum up everything that has been stated so far, established laws have cut the amount of deaths caused by distracted driving. According to ScienceDaily, cases of teens using phones while behind the wheel has been lowered by a drastic 55 percent in a state that has phone restriction laws. As more restrictions for phone usage are being enforced, more lives are being saved.

Though the film industry is filled with many intriguing movies, there are few that speak out to me. One of these films include a masterpiece titled “The Hate U Give” (T.H.U.G.). This film touches on sensitive, yet realistic tragedies that occur in today’s society. In the film, Starr Carter is a black teenage girl who code switches daily to “fit in” into a school filled with white students. She is given instructions and dialogue to cite when she finds herself pulled over by an officer, so she is prepared to face the devastating real world. When she finds herself in that scenario with her best friend, Khalil, she witnesses him murdered, when the officer mistakes his hairbrush for a gun. The genre of this story is, unfortunately, realistic fiction. The tragedy of this story is the genre. Since 2015, 135 unarmed black US citizens have been shot by a police officer (NPR.org). As those numbers increase, more viewers will direct their attention to this film, that raises awareness to this rough yet real topic. With a 97% Rotten Tomato score, T.H.U.G. is a film and novel that will tug your heartstrings. The raw, genuine emotion Amandla Stenberg projects as she plays the role of Starr displays the realism of this tragic story. This story speaks to me so vividly because it places you into the real situation people of color face in today’s systematically racist world. As a Native American, I face racism. As a child, I never deeply understood the topic until my grandmother and I were searched in a grocery store, simply because of our more dark skin tone. Every since then, I have been called filthy slurs. I feel saddened to now witness the normalization of racism, but grateful for films like this that raise awareness.