Paige Losch: Happy Girl

There’s fun behind a black and white life.

Rational:

I chose to edit my picture from in color to black and white. When people think of something being in black and white they automatically assume that it’s dull and lifeless or for example, in life something is either right or wrong. I wanted to show that there is fun and creativeness even in those black and white situations or scenarios. My picture is from my senior pictures session but I decided to change it up and do a fun pose because I had to look serious so much. I wanted to truly show myself and how I perceive how I am, which is lighthearted and witty. The summer going into 9^th grade one of my best friends was in a very severe car accident with her mom who didn’t make it. I tried to visit as much as I could at the University of Iowa hospital. At the hospital there was so much darkness and dreariness happening I couldn’t stand it. Instead of looking on the downside of things I tried to be optimistic. It was hard though because we didn’t know if my friend would make it or not since she had so much trauma and many surgeries ahead of her. I tried telling stories of my friend that were funny and described who she was as a person. Her family joined in and I considered that to be the turning point at the hospital. People started to laugh instead of cry and that was all they needed. I hope that people can take away that they have control and can turn anything from a negative situation into a positive one just with their attitude.

            To me color is like looking outside of the box. Instead of thinking something is either right or wrong ask yourself why you think that. What makes you believe that? I think that people automatically go to thinking life is black and white because that is their comfort area. They are too scared to push the envelope and look at different perspectives but that what I want people to do. Once people open their eyes to the color of the world their whole life will change. They will be able to see things they never saw before such as how diverse the world is with different people and different cultures.

                                                     Personality Myth:

When you’re born you have no say in who your family is, you get what you get. Those people that are your family whether it’s your mom, dad, grandparents, brothers, or aunts all influence who you are as a person, or do they? This whole aspect is known as nature vs nurture. Some people will defend the argument that you’re born the way you are and there’s not a whole lot you can do about it, this is the nature aspect. On the other hand there’s the nurture part which is the idea that those who are around you growing up and the experiences you have will influence your personality. This psychological theory has described how the general public thinks about your personality.

            Throughout a podcast by Invisibilia called “The Personality Myth” they talk about a man who was in prison for rape and how personality his has literally changed. One quote they make is, “Your personality is your core” who you are is what makes you, you. Your personality is your core because it’s the fundamental factor in determining who you are as a person. The Invisibilia spokesperson had a hard time accepting the fact that the man in prison was in there for rape. She believed that there was no way this funny and genuine person could have done such a horrific thing, but he did. The man explained that he was going through a rough time in his life and “It was easier to be no good”. Did this man suffer from nature or nurture when it came to his rotten pass? The problem with personality is that people believe that they can’t change, but they can. Part of your personality also comes along with biases. Some which you may not even know you have. In TED Talk “How to overcome bias?” Verna Myers says, “Biases are stories we make up about people before we even know who they are.” You get biases from your childhood. They are imprinted on you at such a young age from both people and experiences that they are so far deep in your mind you can’t even recall them. In order to overcome them “You’re not going to get comfortable before you’re uncomfortable” you have to step outside of your comfort zone and stand up for your beliefs if you ever want a chance in overcoming your biases that make up part of your personality.

            As a result I have come to believe that growing up the nature vs nurture does affect who you become as a person but that doesn’t mean you can’t change. Part of the nature aspect is you’re going to act and be the way you are just naturally. When you are a baby and can start to sort of express yourself you just do what feels natural. Growing up I believe that my parents and brothers had a lot to do with the person I am today. I still hold true that we have little say in the people we become. Events that happen in our lives whether they be insignificant or tremendous impact your identity from the consequences that happen afterward even if they are good or bad. With that being said, I have confidence that people can change if they are truly motivated. In order to change, you have to be doing it for yourself, not anyone else. That will be the major factor in if you actually change or not. Both nature and nurture affect the shape of your identity but that doesn’t mean it has to stay the same your whole life. You have the power within yourself to change, you can make your black and white life have some fun in it if you choose to.