Reclaiming Narratives Today!

As Black History Month comes to a close it's theme, "Reclaiming Narratives," has called for deep reflection on the importance of controlling one’s own story, as an individual and as a part of a group. If you hover on the margins at risk of systematic exclusion, being sidelined and silenced - it is critical to define a compelling narrative and take ownership of your story, before others take control of it for you. This theme is a reminder that narratives are a record of history and a powerful means to shape perception, which in many cases becomes reality forged in the furnace of the minds of people. This applies equally in wider society and in the world of work.

Today I want to explore this in a broader context, a later post will examine this in the context of work where, the importance of owning and sharing your own story is a critical component in building your personal brand and progressing your career. It is clear that narratives are used as tools of inclusion and exclusion (e.g. this person doesn't fit in here, that person does), making justifications on behalf of the in-crowd, playing to people in positions of power and perpetuating the status quo.

The role of the DE&I practitioner is to articulate a compelling narrative to challenge the status quo, not to reinforce and become a part of it, which sadly only too many do!

The world is understood and seen through stories:

Rooted deep in our history, from all corners of the globe, people have perceived, experienced and made sense of the world through stories. Mentioning just a few here as a point of reference, from Aboriginal?Creation?Myths, (the Rainbow Serpent), to Aztec myths centring on Quetzalcoatl and tales of sacrifice for cosmic order, to Greek mythology which includes stories of gods, heroes, and moral tales such as the Odyssey, to the Biblical texts containing a wealth of stories?which serve to teach moral lessons, convey spiritual truths, and illustrate themes of faith, justice, and redemption.

However, the oldest known story is?The Epic of Gilgamesh, a Sumerian poem that dates back to around 2000 BC.?The story is about a Sumerian king named Gilgamesh who goes on a quest to find immortality.?

The story is loosely based on the historical King Gilgamesh, who ruled Sumerian Uruk (modern day Iraq) in 2700 BC. The oldest existing versions of the poem are in Sumerian cuneiform with the first "complete" version, (which includes the flood myth), is dated to around 1300-1000 BC. The epic is considered a foundational text in world literature and is believed to have influenced other ancient works, such as the Iliad, the Odyssey, and the Hebrew Bible.?It could be seen as the mother of narratives.

The Power of narratives in exclusion and oppression:

Controlling a narrative has long been a strategic tool for those in power. It allows them to control perception, justify oppression, and silence dissent. When Nelson Mandela said, "Until I was blacklisted, I was not a danger," he highlighted this suppression tactic, where a government can paint voices of justice as threats to the status quo. The apartheid regime in South Africa tightly controlled media to shape public opinion, portraying the anti-apartheid movement as disruptive, even violent. This control over narrative allowed them to suppress voices fighting for justice and equality, while cloaking their oppressive actions in the guise of maintaining order. But the truth eventually surfaced, thanks to Mandela and countless others who refused to let their stories be silenced.

Likewise, many other marginalised groups throughout history have faced similar narrative manipulation. Colonial powers, for example, used dehumanising language to depict Indigenous peoples as "savages" in need of "civilisation." This narrative justified in their minds the horrors of the Atlantic slave trade, European colonialism, and the exploitation of vast populations and resources. The impact of these narratives is not only historical but also lasting; they shaped perceptions that still echo in stereotypes, which are rooted in systemic inequalities, and pervade social attitudes today.

Reclaiming Narratives: The Power of Agency in the Black Experience:

I’m of Asian/African descent and as an observer, for Black communities in the UK, the United States, and worldwide, reclaiming narratives has been a foundational part of their journey toward justice, agency, and self-determination. Figures like Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and James Baldwin understood that retelling their history was not merely about representation but about liberation. When Malcolm X famously stated, "We didn’t land on Plymouth Rock; Plymouth Rock landed on us," he reframed a core American narrative, challenging the myth of a unified American identity built on equality and opportunity. Instead, he revealed the enduring impact of slavery, racism, and segregation on African Americans, who had been excluded from the freedom’s others enjoyed.

Martin Luther King Jr. similarly used narrative to inspire change. His "I Have a Dream" speech did more than call for civil rights—it painted a vision for the future, of a nation that recognised Black dignity and humanity. By reclaiming the narrative of what it meant to be American, King underscored that the struggle for justice was as much about rewriting history as it was about changing the future.

In reclaiming these narratives, Black leaders and communities worldwide showed resilience against a tide of misinformation and historical erasure. Their efforts were a response not only to centuries of misrepresentation but to an immediate need to assert their identities and humanity.

Historical Lessons and the Cost of Reclaiming Narratives:

Reclaiming narratives has often come at a great cost. Many of the leaders who dared to speak truth to power paid with their lives. Malcolm X, whose bold speeches unmasked the roots of American racism, was assassinated. King, who dreamed of a world where people were judged by the "content of their character," was also killed for his vision. Gandhi, whose nonviolent resistance to British rule inspired freedom movements globally, faced prison and brutal treatment before finally being assassinated. These leaders knew that reclaiming the narrative—challenging the dominant story—posed real risks, but they pressed on, understanding that their sacrifices could change the world.

As Gandhi once said, "A ‘no’ uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a ‘yes’ merely uttered to please." This sentiment resonates with those who risked their lives to tell the truth. Their acts of narrative reclamation reshaped public perception and revealed the realities of systemic oppression. Their sacrifices were not in vain; they inspired international solidarity, changed laws, and, ultimately, transformed societies.

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Reclaiming Narratives in Contemporary Contexts: The Palestinian Struggle:

Today, the Palestinian situation echoes many historical struggles for narrative control. As Palestinians seek justice and freedom, they face an international media often dominated by those who shape the narrative in a way that justifies their oppression. Just as colonial powers once depicted their subjects as "uncivilised," narratives surrounding Palestine have often painted resistance as terrorism, (and sadly, sometimes it is), and on occasion reduced Palestinian voices to silence. These representations affect how the world perceives their situation, influencing foreign policy, humanitarian aid, and public opinion.

In much the same way as Black leaders used international platforms available to them to reclaim their story, Palestinian activists turn to social media and grassroots movements to break through the wall of misinformation. Social media amplifies these voices, making it harder for mainstream outlets to erase or distort their struggles. As Mandela said, "Our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians." The act of reclaiming narratives is a global one, linking marginalised communities in a common fight for truth and self-determination.

The theme of "Reclaiming Narratives" resonates deeply with the current mainstream media portrayal of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where dominant narratives often obscure Palestinian voices. By bypassing traditional media outlets, social media allows individuals and grassroots organisations to document events in real-time, providing unfiltered perspectives directly to a global audience. This direct access to the public eye is especially crucial for Palestinians, who use these platforms to showcase the everyday realities of their lives, share stories of resilience, and humanise their struggle beyond what is typically seen and framed in mainstream media coverage.

Unique Channels of our time. Just as marginalised groups throughout history have fought to reclaim their stories, Palestinians now use social media and global grassroots movements to present a counter-narrative of their experiences and resistance, challenging the narratives that cast their struggle as illegitimate or one-sided. This conflict highlights the powerful impact of media framing on public perception and policy; it underscores the critical need for narrative reclamation to ensure that the stories of those under oppression are heard, understood, and acted upon, on the global stage.

However, the potential of social media as a tool for liberation and narrative reclamation is tempered by the fact that these platforms are ultimately controlled by large, powerful corporations whose interests can align with those of the ruling elite. Major social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (now X) are run by entities with significant political and economic ties to governments and influential stakeholders. Content moderation policies are often opaque, with powerful algorithms prioritising certain types of content over others. These mechanisms, whether intentionally or not, can suppress or limit the reach of narratives that question or critique dominant power structures.

Palestinians and other oppressed groups frequently face account suspensions, post removals, or "shadow banning" on social media, especially when their content is deemed "controversial" or "sensitive." This selective visibility essentially replicates the marginalisation they face in mainstream media, but in digital form, effectively curbing the reach of their voices and perspectives.

Moreover, the algorithms governing these platforms favour content that aligns with the interests and perspectives of wider audiences—often influenced by prevailing biases and geopolitics—over posts that might elicit discomfort or challenge established views. Thus, while social media serves as a mechanism for oppressed groups to reach wider audiences, its potential is undercut by the subtle forms of control and censorship that prioritise maintaining the status quo.

This dynamic illustrates the ongoing struggle marginalised groups face in articulating, circulating and reclaiming their narratives. Although social media offers them a voice, that voice is still at the mercy of systems and structures aligned with the very power they seek to challenge.

Reclaiming Narratives - A call to action:

The theme of "Reclaiming Narratives" is more than a historical reflection; it is a call to action for today. Across the globe, excluded, marginalised communities continue to challenge the dominant stories that justify oppression. Black History Month 2024 calls upon us to reflect on the importance of hearing and amplifying these narratives across all the channels available to us- of actively seeking out and uplifting the stories that have been distorted and silenced. In doing so, we honour those who came before and stand with those still fighting for truth and justice.

The cost of reclaiming, or standing by a narrative is often high, but the cost of silence is higher. When entire histories are erased or distorted, societies lose not only the truth but an essential part of their soul, and the chance to create a world aligned to it's higher self. Reclaiming narratives, is not just about telling a story but about fighting for a world driven by justice, equality, and dignity. Through platforms like Black History Month, we celebrate the resilience of those who refuse to be erased and encourage all of us to be storytellers, advocates, and allies in the pursuit of truth and what it means to be human.

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