By Jackie Pollack
Dr. Mykee Fowlin, a physiatrist, actor, and poet, came to the high school to perform and speak about the importance of accepting of others and celebrating human differences. Dr. Mykee strives to treat the entire audience as one of his patients.
Dr. Mykee began his presentation warning the audience of the sensitive topics he would speak about which may make people uncomfortable.
Dr. Mykee spoke about the “mask” people put up which disguises their true self. People are often put into uncomfortable situations where one’s true character is altered in fear of being different or defying the norm. If someone continuously conforms to be like everyone else, they lose their sense of individualism. Dr. Mykee made us wonder how well we really know our best friends.
Additionally, Dr. Mykee alluded to the importance of “feeling one’s temperature.” It is incredibly easy to make ignorant assumptions and judgements based on someone’s appearance, race, and sexual orientation. To feel someone’s temperature, one must genuinely get to know someone in order to understand what makes them who they are.
The inspiring introduction was followed by Dr. Mykee’s performance, in which he took on the role of different characters with various life experiences. Through these characters, Dr. Mykee hid pieces and parts of himself.
Through one of the characters, Dr. Mykee revealed his past depression and contemplation with suicide. Through another character, Dr. Mykee acknowledged his molestation as a young boy. And through another, he expressed his homosexuality and strong sense of feminism. All of which no one would have known by his first impression.
Dr. Mykee’s performance reminded the students that they should never change to fulfill someone else’s image and that being true to themself will only make them a stronger and more elated person.
Sophomore, Gianna Mountroukas remarked, “the performance moved me to tears because it touched upon subjects that were sensitive to me.”
To conclude the performance, Dr. Mykee spoke of ways we can help prevent others from feeling lonely and isolated. By reaching out to friends or showing small acts of kindness, we can make someone’s day a bit brighter, while making them feel a little less alone. His performance was followed by a huge applause which was well deserved.
