My artwork The Weight of Words shows how stereotypes and microaggressions can feel like a heavy burden. The backpack is filled with rocks, and each rock has a phrase like “Be Quiet” or “Act White” written on it. These words are more than just comments. They carry emotional weight and can affect how someone sees their identity, culture, and a sense of belonging.
I placed the girl in a classroom because that is often where these experiences begin. School is a place where students feel pressure to fit in, and sometimes that means hiding parts of who they are. The black and white tones in the artwork show how serious and intense this pressure can be. The red words are there to stand out to show how harmful these labels really are.
This piece connects to the theme of cultural diversity because it shows what it is like to be judged or silenced because of your background. It also shows strength, since people continue to move forward even when carrying these struggles. Through this artwork, I want people to think about how powerful words can be and why it is important to respect and celebrate different cultures instead of trying to erase them.