Raven's+Reflections+2

Expressing Yourself Uniquely
Freedom of Expression is an important American exercise that defines American personality to me. This wall’s elements are tied together because they are all things that represent something new, and a creative way of self-expression, for Americans. Some are unexpected and others have created entire movements after these creative experiments, like Jazz music. Anne Sexton’s poem, “The Addict” is in this room because this poem is based around an un-traditional topic, especially for a female poet. Anne Sexton wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, and express herself and not limit or censor her poetry. Other poems of hers include “In Celebration of My Uterus” and “The Abortion”. Anne Sexton did something different and wasn’t afraid to express herself and make connections with the female population in an uncensored and creative way. Modern and Contemporary Art are also a medium of self-expression that are extremely creative, shocking and unique. Some people would consider modern and contemporary art as strange, weird or pretentious, but the artists themselves are using their art as a way to express themselves creatively. And in America there are an impressive amount of modern artists that have gotten high acclaim for their strange or different approach to traditional art. The MOMA in New York is known for having some of the most “unique” and “cutting edge” works in terms of Modern Art, and many of their exhibits are from young American Artists who are looking for a way to express themselves. Jazz Music is a uniquely American genre of Music that is said to come from the Black Neighborhoods in New York City’s Harlem area. Jazz music was a purely experimental and improvised type of music when it was created. Musicians would get together and play, using the instruments to express themselves, their songs and what they were feeling. Jazz stems from Blues, and old Blues Song were typically about the hard times of the Black people in the south and were created simply for expressing a story or just saying what was on your mind at the time. Jazz Music was a new creation that was attracted many people for it’s feeling, improvised and syncopated rhythms and scatting, which were just another new way to express yourself.

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