“The Silence That Kills” (2022-2023)

I’ve always loved writing, but instead of writing for a large audience, I used to only write for myself. It has always been a way for me to vent my emotions and let my thoughts drift along. However, I used to be insecure about showing my writing to other people. I feared that my opinions would be too extreme, and my words would be too insipid. 

One of the many things I learned from “Writing the Essay” is to let go of my fear. Through the research and drafting process, I gained more confidence as a writer. I tried to let my fleeting thoughts linger a little bit longer, so I could push them further. Slowly, I felt like I was able to knit my words together as if using the soft threads of yarn. Now, I can better present myself in my writing.

The class provided me with an encouraging environment. Now, it feels great to voice my innermost thoughts and to have people to read and resonate with them. I’ve discovered a new way of writing. 

Qiyun Gao, ‘25, attends Tisch School of the Arts and plans to become a visual and sound artist. Growing up in Beijing, China, as Qiyun learned the history of her country, she noticed censorship and nationalism brewing in the nation. Many of her friends, and she herself, often feel hopeless and powerless, but Qiyun hopes to use her art to create immersive spaces that connect and inspire people to live more fearlessly. In her essay, she explores censorship in China and how artists are fighting a system that once seemed unbreakable.