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Southeast student Cassadi Christenson chose the words supportive and joyful to proclaim herself as someone that looks out for the good of others as part of the Skin Deep Project.[/caption]Words are powerful, and some words can cut deep. In the fourth annual Skin Deep Project, Southeast Missouri State University students are learning how to take control of the words that define them by proclaiming words of empowerment and redefine who they really are.The project is part of Instructor Jeanne Harris Interpersonal Communications class. The students write words that have been used by others to define them on their skin, clothing or a piece of paper. They are photographed erasing those words and displaying words that they choose to define themselves.The project is both cathartic for students who participate and motivational for those who observe, Harris said.This is an opportunity for them to clarify, redefine and challenge what others have said about them or what they think of themselves, she said. Its also an opportunity for them to connect with one another, sharing their experiences, and even counsel and inspire one another.[caption id="attachment_31073" align="alignright" width="300"]
Southeast student A'Keal Slaughter chose the word 'honest' as part of the Skin Deep Project to redefine the way others sometimes see him as 'outspoken.'[/caption]Akeal Slaughter, a junior criminal justice major from St. Charles, Missouri, said some people think hes too outspoken.I think its good to be outspoken about what you believe in, and Im just being honest and myself, he said.Slaughter wanted to show others its possible to reclaim words for themselves.If its what you believe in, keep speaking your truth, he said.For Byron Brownlee, a senior social work major from St. Louis, Missouri, the project is an opportunity to share who he is with others.Im a strong introvert, and I think it takes a lot of courage to throw yourself out there, and there are some really brave people who have done this before me, he said.[caption id="attachment_31075" align="alignleft" width="300"]
The Skin Deep Project was an opportunity for Southeast student Byron Brownlee to share who he is with others - someone who believes in working smarter, not harder.[/caption]Brownlee shared how other peoples words have mislabeled him.Ive always been a person to think through things first before jumping into action and doing something, but people have thought Im just sitting back being lazy, he said.Cassadi Christenson, a sophomore psychology major from OFallon, Missouri, participated in the project to contribute to something meaningful.It makes people realize that everyone is going through or has gone through something hard in their life, and we should keep that in mind before judging or placing labels upon them, she said.She chose pleaser, a label that carried negative ideas for her.Growing up, I often let others walk over me and was scared to stick up for myself, she said. My ending words were supportive and joyful because I feel I am someone that looks out for the good of others.The students will put together their photographs in a collage and video. The final collage artwork will be displayed in the University Center from Nov. 26-Dec. 7. Cards and markers will be available with the exhibit, giving those who observe the art an opportunity to participate.The video and photos will also be posted on the Skin Deep Projects Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, giving others the opportunity to respond and share.The project promotes empathy, Harris said. Viewers can see that other people have stories too, and they are relatable.Another goal of the project is to encourage people to carefully consider their own use of words, said Harris.As we have seen on the national scale, words have incredible power to wound and divide, she said. My hope is that, through this experiential learning exercise, everyone can reflect on how words impact their own lives and learn to use their own words tomore effectivelycommunicate across their differences.
Southeast student Cassadi Christenson chose the words supportive and joyful to proclaim herself as someone that looks out for the good of others as part of the Skin Deep Project.[/caption]Words are powerful, and some words can cut deep. In the fourth annual Skin Deep Project, Southeast Missouri State University students are learning how to take control of the words that define them by proclaiming words of empowerment and redefine who they really are.The project is part of Instructor Jeanne Harris Interpersonal Communications class. The students write words that have been used by others to define them on their skin, clothing or a piece of paper. They are photographed erasing those words and displaying words that they choose to define themselves.The project is both cathartic for students who participate and motivational for those who observe, Harris said.This is an opportunity for them to clarify, redefine and challenge what others have said about them or what they think of themselves, she said. Its also an opportunity for them to connect with one another, sharing their experiences, and even counsel and inspire one another.[caption id="attachment_31073" align="alignright" width="300"]
Southeast student A'Keal Slaughter chose the word 'honest' as part of the Skin Deep Project to redefine the way others sometimes see him as 'outspoken.'[/caption]Akeal Slaughter, a junior criminal justice major from St. Charles, Missouri, said some people think hes too outspoken.I think its good to be outspoken about what you believe in, and Im just being honest and myself, he said.Slaughter wanted to show others its possible to reclaim words for themselves.If its what you believe in, keep speaking your truth, he said.For Byron Brownlee, a senior social work major from St. Louis, Missouri, the project is an opportunity to share who he is with others.Im a strong introvert, and I think it takes a lot of courage to throw yourself out there, and there are some really brave people who have done this before me, he said.[caption id="attachment_31075" align="alignleft" width="300"]
The Skin Deep Project was an opportunity for Southeast student Byron Brownlee to share who he is with others - someone who believes in working smarter, not harder.[/caption]Brownlee shared how other peoples words have mislabeled him.Ive always been a person to think through things first before jumping into action and doing something, but people have thought Im just sitting back being lazy, he said.Cassadi Christenson, a sophomore psychology major from OFallon, Missouri, participated in the project to contribute to something meaningful.It makes people realize that everyone is going through or has gone through something hard in their life, and we should keep that in mind before judging or placing labels upon them, she said.She chose pleaser, a label that carried negative ideas for her.Growing up, I often let others walk over me and was scared to stick up for myself, she said. My ending words were supportive and joyful because I feel I am someone that looks out for the good of others.The students will put together their photographs in a collage and video. The final collage artwork will be displayed in the University Center from Nov. 26-Dec. 7. Cards and markers will be available with the exhibit, giving those who observe the art an opportunity to participate.The video and photos will also be posted on the Skin Deep Projects Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, giving others the opportunity to respond and share.The project promotes empathy, Harris said. Viewers can see that other people have stories too, and they are relatable.Another goal of the project is to encourage people to carefully consider their own use of words, said Harris.As we have seen on the national scale, words have incredible power to wound and divide, she said. My hope is that, through this experiential learning exercise, everyone can reflect on how words impact their own lives and learn to use their own words tomore effectivelycommunicate across their differences.