Reflecting on my journey through these essays and my growth as a writer, several key insights have emerged that have profoundly influenced both my writing and my understanding of the subjects I’ve explored. The essays on the Black Panther Party and Black Lives Matter, as well as on gender bias in Wikipedia and Soma Sara’s activism, have provided a variety of themes to engage with, leading to realizations about my writing and its development.
One standout realization is the power of media in shaping narratives and public perception. I feel that both the Black Panther Party and Black Lives Matter used the media to challenge prevailing narratives and inspire change even though they took place in different eras and through different platforms. This understanding has deepened my appreciation for the role of media in social movements and the importance of critically analyzing how stories are told and received. It has also informed my approach to writing, emphasizing the need for balance, thorough research, and a critical eye towards sources and representations.
Also, one of the most inspiring aspects of this semester has been the realization of the importance of representation and the power of individual stories. The underrepresentation of women and minority voices on platforms like Wikipedia, and the efforts of movements like Women in Red to address this, have inspired new goals for my writing. I aim to contribute to more inclusive and diverse narratives, both in my academic work and beyond. This includes not only highlighting underrepresented voices but also ensuring that my writing reflects the complexity and diversity of human experiences.
One piece of writing I am particularly proud of is the Black Panther Party essay where I explored how they utilized the media along with comparing it to the #BlackLivesMatter movement. I put a lot of time and research into this essay, and I feel I demonstrated a deep understanding of the Black Panther Party’s origins, actions, and impact. I was also able to provide an in-depth analysis on the role of the media in shaping public perception of the Black Panther Party, noticing a significant improvement in my analytical skills. This essay showcased a lot of growth and development in my research skills, critical thinking, balanced perspective, and ability to connect historical events to present-day issues.
The essay I struggled with the most this semester was the researched based argument essay on women in red. One significant challenge was the struggle to find comprehensive and detailed resources, especially regarding figures like Soma Sara. However, this struggle itself highlights the very issue that the Women in Red project aims to address: the underrepresentation of women, particularly women of color, in widely accessible information repositories like Wikipedia. While there is considerable coverage of the organization that Soma Sara (woman in red) founded, “Everyone’s Invited,” detailed accounts of her personal background, early life, and broader career achievements were very limited. Also, much of the information I found had to be drawn from secondary sources, which sometimes lacked depth or critical insight. The absence of primary interviews or first-hand accounts restricted the ability to delve deeper into Soma Sara’s motivations, experiences, and personal reflections. In the end, working on this essay significantly contributed to my development as a writer in several meaningful ways. This experience pushed me beyond my comfort zone and refined various skills that are essential for effective and impactful writing.