Artist Statement:I would say that the experience of telling my story is uplifting and freeing as I hope others feel my authenticity and resonate with what I've said.
It's important for student voices to be heard, especially within an academic institution, as most of the time students are recognized for their academic achievements but everyone has a story that needs to be told.
Miles Lawson:Miles Lawson.
Pronouns are He/Him. Year: Senior.
The question is: How did you overcome challenges
you have faced due to assumptions people have made about you?
Over the years, people usually assume just how I dress and
carry myself, that I'm an athlete or someone
who is dangerous or different in nature or
not conforming to- y'know just uncomforming.
And I'd say to challenge these assumptions people have
made about me, is just to show my work
in the art field or showcase different things about
myself and speak in a manner that doesn't portray
necessarily the original presumption they made about me.
And continuing to work and showcase what I've done
and continue to keep pushing forward every single day
despite what people may think or tell me, is
also something that I've done to fight these assumptions.
I've had somebody say that I dressed like a
drug dealer or carried myself in that matter.
But when I put forward my best foot forward,
I feel like it really changes that perspective.
Or when I continue to work and be shown in
different areas, it also changes that perspective as well.
And I worked every single day to make my parents
proud, make my people proud, make my friend proud.
So that's another way I fight these assumptions.
People can judge you based on what the outside appearance is,
but if you know that you've got something good on the
inside, I think that's the best way to