Giovanni Maldonado, Rosa L. Parks Arts High School, PMP
SELF-EXPRESSION
“To me, self-expression is one of the strongest yet, at the same time, personal sides of the human being. That means being able to share with the rest of the world the thoughts inside your head, emotions in your heart, and who you basically are. So, once and for all, self-expression could be anything-from one’s art, music and writing to even the tone of speaking or communication style of a specific person. Individual acts of expression demonstrate unique life stories and perspectives that are all important.
The concept of self-expression, to me, is closely connected with freedom and authenticity. When people express themselves truthfully, they actively decide not to hide behind expectations or fear of judgment. Such honesty builds confidence and allows others to see who really is inside. At the same time, self-expression also takes a lot of courage. Society pushes people a lot toward their conformation and being able to fit in rather than stand out, and that can make it hard to show one’s real self. Overcoming that fear is what makes real expression so powerful it’s an act of defiance at the same time as self acceptance. Besides, self-expression helps to connect people. When one shares a poem, a drawing, or an opinion, this might inspire others or help them feel understood. It reminds us that even though experiences are different, joy, sadness, love, and fear are universal emotions. In the end, self-expression is not just about telling the world who you are but rather that it is about finding meaning, connection, and freedom through the act of being unapologetically yourself.”