Artist Statement:I felt that it was a positive experience in sharing my story to others as sharing stories is the only way we can connect as humans and as a community. It allows us to learning more about each other. I hope others will be inspired to share their stories as it will enable us to understand each other and form deeper connections throughout our community.
I think it's important for student voices to be heard as it can be re-affirming of community values and enables to students to find their social voice within their community.
Kundai Kapurura:The Americanized way to pronounce
my last name is "Kapura".
That's what I'll usually say to
friends or someone I just met.
But the traditional way to pronounce it is "Kapurura".
I'm not exactly sure what it means.
I should probably know that by now.
Based on statistics, I do know that it's
a pretty rare name in the world.
This name is not only my last name, but I feel
like it has been a contributing factor to who I am.
My first name is Kundai, which
makes my name Kundai Kapurura.
And that name in itself holds its own unique value.
I feel like Kundai has always been a
name that has been difficult for people to
pronounce or unique or new to them.
I'm the only Kundai that many
people know, which makes me me.
I have had a good amount of good experience with being
different, but I feel like I have had a fair share
of experiences that have changed my view of the world.
This can be negative in some ways, but I
feel like it has also positively impacted me in
a way where I find myself not judging people.
I also find myself going outside
the box or traditional norms as a
product design student in the design field.
As a black woman, it can be a little
hard because it's a white indominated industry.
But at the same time, I feel like I've
used it as leverage to only push myself forward.
And because I've faced obstacles due to my identity or
who I am, I feel like it has made me
and shaped me into the person I am today.
I feel like I've gone into a number of different- okay no no no- restart-
Okay- I feel like I have entered myself
into spaces where sometimes it would have
been traditionally awkward or unconventional.
But I feel like I'm most comfortable doing that because I've
already come from places where I've had to do that constantly
in my life, even down to the thing that I feel
like I'll carry forever, which is my name.
But I'm also proud of it and I've
grown to love it so much, and I- honestly-
Going home, I'm going to do more research on
what Kapurura means and how I can hold the
value and respect for that name in the way
that to its fullest potential I feel.
But yeah, I hope you guys enjoy my answer.