Audience members at TedxUOregon on Saturday were presented with a wide array of viewpoints on how diversity is a critical aspect to creativity. They heard from a CEO, professors, student speakers, film directors, a talent developer, producers and an artistic director.
Over 40 students applied to become a speaker at this year’s Tedx talk, which took place in Beall Hall. The nine who were chosen spoke about how poetry, language, narratives, political engagement and stigmas behind mental illnesses are important and related to the need for diversity in the creative mind.
Sarah Nachbar, student speaker, addressed the issues behind mental illnesses, how negative connotations have been created and how it affects treatment for others. She hopes to instill a new perspective on mental illnesses and change the way people act around those who are affected.
“I hope that at least someone can take away a perspective of empathy and maybe change how they view and treat people with mental illnesses,” Nachbar said.
Wilson W. Smith the third, a coder, a Nike employee and talent developer, hopes to inspire young minds while engaging and empowering them.
“I hope that others will be inspired in their worlds to move from the enlightenment of the school into empowering others to do great things,” Smith said.
Student speaker Grace Aaraj spoke of her own personal experiences as a Fulbright student from Lebanon. She invited audience members to try new things with passion and appreciation.
“Towards the end I’m inviting people to go on and try new things and be more communicative, learn languages, but learn it with compassion, empathy and creative thinking and understanding of others because that’s the main message I want to send,” Aaraj said.
Ashley Redd, a UO Senior and education foundations major, attended this year’s Tedx talk to get a new perspective on a topic because it related to her major and her future aspirations of being a teacher.
“I hope to have some new insight on diversity, creativity and maybe how I can use that in my future career as a teacher and also just in life,” Redd said.