Allie Novess '15 Shares Reflections on D&L Day
On Diversity & Leadership Day, Allie Novess ‘15 was particularly inspired by 19-year-old slam poet Amal Kassir (click here to watch Amal’s performance). Allie took some time to reflect on Amal’s performance and share with us how she was impacted.
In your own words, what was Amal’s message? How did she communicate that message?
Amal had many different messages that meant a lot to me. She said to be yourself, to stand up for what you believe in, and that you can join forces with others to fight against what you don’t agree with. Slam poetry is always an effective way to get a point across but she did it with such passion, especially for a 19 year old, that I was blown away and will probably think about it for years to come.
Which parts of Amal’s presentation are most memorable to you?
When she spoke about the present, I related to her tremendously. She talked about how we learn from our parents, so the more parents inform their children of the injustice in the world, the more our world will be on the right track to peace. When she spoke about her dreams for the future, there was a gleam in her eye of something you rarely see in a teenager. I saw hope and a will, to not let anything stand in her way of making the world more just. You rarely see that amount of bravery in someone so young so I was utterly inspired.
As I was listening to her speak, I kept getting goose bumps on my arms and then she mentioned what I was feeling: “When you’re off sitting in the audience listening to the amazing performers do their artistic thing, and you get these little bumps down your skin, a little chill down your spine, do you not realize that your biology has just reacted to that inspiration? Do you realize that there is nothing you can do to take away the fact that you felt something? You can never unlearn something no matter how hard you try. You can never unfeel it. When you know you know for the rest of your life. You know you’re great and no one can put you down. No one can tell you otherwise. You will be strong for as long as you believe in yourself and in the people around you because you are not alone and I know I’m not alone. Thank goodness.”
What are some other things you learned that you didn’t know before?
I learned how to sing Jewish songs, that I love Pakistani music, that [St. Andrew's student] Julie Gester is an amazing actress, and I learned most of all the history that came with African-American and Hispanic culture in East Austin.
How did other students react to the performers? What sort of comments did you hear students make afterwards?
Most people were surprised at how much they enjoyed all of diversity day! I heard a lot of positivity about Amal. I was first in line to talk to her and as I turned around there were many students behind me. In all, this year’s diversity day was my (and many others) personal favorite.
Was there anything missing from the day that you wish had been offered?
Nothing that I can think of. I thought the day was great and I wish I could be there next year because I’m sure it’ll be even better.
How did you spend the rest of the day? Did you linger on any particular idea?
I lingered on the performances and how they changed my view on things. I realized that there is so much more in the world I want to learn. There is so much I haven’t seen.
How did this day change your perspective on diversity?
Now I feel that I can make a difference. All of the inspiring speakers and other things made me want to research more of Austin’s history. It made me want to research other races and their religions so I could learn more about culture everywhere else in the world. I have always wanted to travel and this diversity day has given me the incentive to learn as much as I can about the past of our world and the future I have yet to change.
Thank you Allie for sharing your thoughts with us! We look forward to hearing more from our students on how guest speakers and special events like these are shaping their perspective of the world.
Thank you Allie for sharing your thoughts with us! We look forward to hearing more from our students on how guest speakers and special events like these are shaping their perspective of the world.
