The experience at Breaking Walls has been like no other. From strangers to family. My perspective on EVERYTHING has changed during that 5-day camp. I connected with the other artists and that was the entire point of the camp. To bring diverse children/teenagers together. During the camp, we put aside our differences. There was no “she’s better” or “he’s better”. No favoritism. We were all treated fairly and equally. The directors made sure to give us the time of our lives there and I can’t thank them enough.
The writing all the way to the performance was phenomenal/extraordinary. Never in my 15 years of living would I have thought that I could write such a fine piece of art. Writing has always been there for me but on this camp my inner artist released herself. I personally think that no one there expected to write such amazing words, words that they wouldn’t even think of saying. The way our voices were heard is unbelievable. I was in utter shock when my fellow bestie, Fran, handed us our scripts. Each person had their own story to tell and I think that was the beauty of it all. That we all got a chance to express how we felt so the world could hear us.
Tons of the activities were challenging, many emotional and mentally draining. We did a “burn”. A ritual that has been going down for years. It opened up our hearts. The raw emotion throughout this life-changing event made me realize that you aren’t alone. Someone out there knows exactly what you are feeling, but just doesn’t know it yet. This activity united us all, in every way possible. Thank you to Captain Danny for suggesting it. Without that activity, I don’t think I and the other artists would’ve been this close today.
To my other artists. The first day that we arrived at camp, I actually had no idea that we would grow a close bond like this. You guys changed me as a human being. You made me realize that life is worth living for and that we are all the same. No matter skin color, background, or race. None of that, we’re all the same in our own perfect way. So thank you for being like a family to me. Thanks to Fran, Danny, Fran, OJ, Andrea, and all the other Director Team who helped. Breaking Walls really did BREAK WALLS!
Tamia Crowe – Breaking Walls Artist
Ocean View Delegation