This poem comes from a page of “The Power to be Affected,” a philosophy essay by Michael Hardt. It is a work that first resonated with me at age 14.
Class of 2020
Tiff Talks: An Afternoon with Brick Distributor
“Tiff Talks: An Afternoon with Brick Distributor” is a podcast about a recent music event in Brooklyn that my friend’s band, Brick Distributor, performed at. My mentor played a huge role in the inspiration for this project, as her studies of journalism and communications inspired me to pursue my own project (and soon major) in journalism. This represents my best work in the program this year because it combines everything I learned about writing at Girls Write Now for the past four years. It is a symbol of how much I’ve grown in this program.
A Guide to Making History
“A Guide to Making History” shares the inside thoughts of a young girl who loses her way and doesn’t know how to find herself again.
A Slice of Life
A Slice of Life By Christine Yan, Writing 360 Mentee Growing up in a fairly homogenous community, I found it…
LOVE
My poem reflects the confidence I was able to gain in my time spent at Girls Write Now. Without gaining my new confidence, I wouldn’t have been able to write and speak my truth. That truth is: I deserve to be heard, and so do the stories and unjust lives of those who have passed away.
Babygirls
Mommy doesn’t tell her she’s seeded first in a dying race.
The World Through Me
This project will take you through the places I’ve grown to call home. From the dazzling lights of New York City to the blue skies of Miaoli, Taiwan, you get to travel through a multitude of locations, in seconds, all while sitting in your chair. It is important for all the works I create to represent a part of me or reflect who I am as a person, and The World Through Me has given me a chance to do just that.
Things About Me
In these few slides, I am being fully vulnerable in telling my audience about myself—with funny remarks, of course. I share the emotions that I have about my life and just how crazy it is. What sparked my inspiration for this project was the desire to share the experiences and thoughts I’ve had in my short life. This project shows how much I improved this year. In the beginning, I was hesitant to share these things about myself. I feel like I came a long way, being as open as I was in this project.
Angry Black Women
I made this presentation because within American society, black women are at the bottom of the totem pole. Whenever we speak up to defend ourselves, we are seen as aggressive, overbearing, and too much to handle. This common approach to our struggles reinforces the denials of our pain and further pushes preconceived notions from those we’ve yet to meet. I don’t want black women to humble themselves in order to not be seen as a stereotype.
Lover
This poem depicts a dysfunctional relationship in which the protagonist feels constricted by the person they love, but nevertheless wants to be with them. The color schemes and backgrounds used heighten the emotional complexity as well as the aesthetic of the piece. This poem was inspired by many books I have read in which the characters have an unusual romantic relationship, and I wanted to show the intricacy of the emotions the characters feel.
To Go or Stay
“To Go or Stay” uses drawings and images to describe an apocalyptic world suffering from climate change. The people in that society have to choose to stay on or leave Earth as disasters affect different parts of the US. This choice will affect how they can contribute to society and improve the environment.
Becoming
In our modern world, where technology has transformed the way we do everything, stories are no longer only found in books. In the visual novel “Becoming,” the audience follows the story of a high school junior named Sonia Young. Sonia discovers a book that lets her revisit her past and gain the confidence to write her next chapter. This interactive story gives the user a little insight, and perhaps control, over the chaotic world of a teenage girl.
Bootlegs: A Necessary Evil
I was inspired by a joke that Lin-Manuel Miranda made on Twitter, and I wanted to look more into the subject and other people’s opinions.
Bunk
This project is inspired by the idea of a “safe space” in a time of rebellion and unease. It features 16 and 17-year-old subjects: Kamilla, Malcolm, Roan, and me. This series, centered around the idea of the teen bedroom, delves into teens’ ability to connect their freedoms and identity to their space. To create this piece about the human experience of life in-between, I’ve photographed and interviewed each participant. The young people in this project share what makes them feel at peace and comfortable in their ever-changing environments.
Poems in Blue and Green
The ocean has inspired generations of artists and writers. My work is collected in a digital anthology as a continuation of mankind’s love letter to the sea.