Skip to main content
University of Nebraska Omaha logo University of Nebraska Omaha
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY

Students Faculty Staff Community
University of Nebraska Omaha logo
College of Arts and Sciences
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY
Students Faculty Staff Community
  • About Us Backback to Main menu
    • About Us
    • Departments & Programs
    • News & Events
    • Dean's Office Staff
    • Faculty/Staff Resources
    • Organizational Chart
  • Academics Backback to Main menu
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Graduate Programs
    • Love Your Major
    • Pre-Health
    • Pre-Law
    • Arts and Sciences Minors
    • Academic Advising
    • Academic Support
  • Admissions
  • Student Opportunities Backback to Main menu
    • Scholarships
    • Student Organizations
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad
  • Community Engagement Backback to Main menu
    • Community Engagement
    • College Centers
    • Conferences
    • Nature Preserves
    • Professional Services
    • Teacher Training
    • Youth Programs
  • Research Backback to Main menu
    • Research
    • Student Research Support
    • Social Science Research Commons
  • Support Us
  1. UNO
  2. College of Arts and Sciences
  3. CAS News
  4. 2022
  5. 06
  6. Exploring Human Rights via Music

Exploring Human Rights via Music

Mia Bourek, a recent M.A. of Sociology graduate, was inspired by human rights coursework and the art of Holocaust survivor Samuel Bak to write and record an album on human rights topics.

  • published: 2022/06/20
image
Mia Bourek portraitMia Bourek, a graduate of the M.A. in Sociology program with a minor in History, was inspired by human rights courses and the art of Holocaust survivor Samuel Bak to write and record music on human rights topics.

Bourek remembers first being introduced to the concept of genocide on a visit to the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. as a young child. Bourek’s learning progressed in the years since, and as a master’s student at UNO, Bourek attended an exhibit on campus featuring the work of Holocaust survivor Samuel Bak, an artist whose body of work extends back to his childhood wartime experiences.

“When Samuel Bak shared such intimate work, it inspired me to do something more. You can't put all that emotional labor on the victims,” Bourek says. I was inspired to be a part of the public education process of making people aware of human rights issues. Part of my desire to learn more is realizing that these things happened frequently, and the world largely stayed silent, each time. It made me want to help others understand more as well.”

Bourek has always been interested in music and said she feels that she’s a better songwriter than a communicator — it has been the outlet for understanding and expression.

“Music has been there for me when I’m trying to make sense of these tough issues such as systemic oppressions or genocide,” Bourek says. “It helps me work through my own shock but it’s also a way to bring awareness to the larger community.”

Bourek usually writes her music and lyrics in tandem, fiddling with a series of notes or a chord progression that stands out and then vocalizing words or phrases until they work themselves into lyrics that makes sense. Once that segment seems to stick, she’ll move into the next segment of the piece. Bourek has performed in public venues via open-mic nights and tries to incorporate storytelling into the performance by sharing the context of a song or a quick history lesson.

“I feel like knowing more about a song helps you appreciate it more as a listener. It helps me engage with the audience and let them know why I’m doing what I’m doing.”

Bourek’s latest album covers a breadth of human rights topics, but a recurring theme of the album would be “challenge your worldview.” The opening song, (Intro) the tragedy, is a rewrite of a poem Bourek wrote back in high school. She saw a lot of parallels between the themes of the original poem and modern white supremacy, misinformation, and how it fuels hatred. Another song, fresh apples in rotten barrels, was written after the death of James Scurlock and reflects on the history of policing that goes back to slavery patrols.

Bourek wants to direct proceeds from the album to the Sam and Frances Fried Holocaust and Genocide Academy, a UNO academy that promotes and facilitates the scholarly study of the Holocaust and other genocides and provides students, faculty and community members the tools to assist in the prevention of crimes against humanity.

News Sections

  • College of Arts and Sciences News Center
  • UNO News Center
  • Maverick Daily
  • The Bullseye
  • Campus Events

Featured

  • From On-Campus in 1971 to Online in 2025: Ben Simmons's UNO Experience
  • A Round of Applause: CAS Student Award Winners for Spring 2025
  • Deja Harris Found More Than Just a Major — She Found a Mission
  • Following Family Footsteps: Second-Generation Maverick Crosses the Finish Line at Commencement

Most Viewed

  • Four College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Receive Weitz Innovation and Excellence Fund Awards
  • UNO Researchers Protect the Role Bats Play in Nebraska’s Ecosystem
  • UNO James Madison Fellow Inspires Next Generation of Civic Leaders in the Classroom

About the College of Arts and Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences

Contact Us
  • 220 Arts & Sciences Hall
  • College Advising Office
Social media
College Resources
  • For Faculty and Staff
  • Math-Science Learning Center
  • The Writing Center
Arts and Sciences Hall building with large white columns in front of a pink and orange sunset.

Next Steps

  • Visit UNO
  • Request Information
  • Apply for Admission
  • The UNO Advantage
  • Our City (Omaha)

Just For You

  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Work at UNO
  • Faculty and Staff
  • A-Z List

Popular Services and Resources

  • my.unomaha.edu
  • Academic Calendar
  • Campus Buildings & Maps
  • Library
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Course Catalogs
  • Internships & Career Development
  • The Maverick Store
  • MavCARD Services
  • Military-Connected Resource Center
  • Speech Center
  • Writing Center
  • Human Resources
  • Center for Faculty Excellence

Affiliates

  • University of Nebraska System
  • NU Foundation
  • Buffett Early Childhood Institute
  • Daugherty Water for Food Institute
  • National Strategic Research Institute
  • Peter Kiewit Institute
  • Rural Prosperity Nebraska
  1. University Policies
  2. Privacy Statement
  3. Accessibility
  1. 402.554.2800

University of Nebraska Omaha
University of Nebraska Omaha, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68182
  • ©  
  • Emergency Information Alert
  • MavsReport

Social Media


Omaha Skyline

Our Campus. Otherwise Known as Omaha.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. Read the full statement.