As a dancer, and therefore artist, myself, I strongly believe in the power of using your unique form of art to speak to issues greater than yourself. During the second semester of my freshman year at the University of Michigan, I got the chance to be a part of Bloom, an interdisciplinary performance on sexual assault awareness in the South Asian community. This half-hour performance combined spoken word poetry with Indian classical dance and music. I have found that performing about a social justice issue makes me internalize and understand the issue much better than if I am just reading a paper or article about it. Additionally, the medium, classical arts, allowed us to directly tailor the message to our intended audience, which is the South Asian community, specifically those who are still wary about conversations about sexual assault. Classical dance and music is relatable for many South Asian people, especially elders, so this performance was a familiar sight for them with a somewhat unfamiliar message being delivered. 

 

I took this Gateway project as an opportunity to explore the various ways goals similar to our Bloom team's have been accomplished through other mediums. I decided to go further and try to incorporate my own experience with these examples to inspire other artists to make art that helps people through difficulties as well. We all exist in this world with our own unique perspectives and talents, and when we are able to take world issues, particularly those surrounding health and well-being, and put our heart and souls into speaking to these issues in the way we are most comfortable, we are able to present a unique perspective that more peple can benefit and learn from than we often realize.