21st Century Literature - The Power of Stories

Stories with Roots, Roots with Stories

Although this isn't part of our lessons, I wanted to use this space for us to hear some of the stories of those from the fringes, of those who live in the margins of society. In a previous lesson, I asked you why storytelling is important for them and based on your responses, I felt it necessary to expand the conversation on storytelling in the context of the marginalized.

You can read at your own leisure. This does not cover the many (many, many) stories that exist but I hope, with this small selection, you can better understand the importance of stories from their context. If you want to share some of your thoughts, insights, feelings, you can do so in this Googleform. While it's optional, it's additional recitation points for those who share.

The Desirability of Storytellers

An article by Ed Yong, The Atlantic:

"Storytelling is a universal human trait. It emerges spontaneously in childhood, and exists in all cultures thus far studied. It’s also ancient: Some specific stories have roots that stretch back for around 6,000 years. As I’ve written before, these tales aren’t quite as old as time, but perhaps as old as wheels and writing. Because of its antiquity and ubiquity, some scholars have portrayed storytelling as an important human adaptation—and that’s certainly how Migliano sees it. Among the Agta, her team found evidence that stories—and the very act of storytelling—arose partly as a way of cementing social bonds, and instilling an ethic of cooperation."

Indigenous Groups: Protectors of Nature

Our indigenous groups are actually at the forefront of environmental conservation yet they continue to be victimized--even killed. Here is an article that sheds light on that issue.

Get to know the Lumad, our country's biggest indigenous group

Who are the Lumad?

A couple of infographics that give us a quick background on the Lumad and a few noteworthy details on the recent shutdown of their schools.

Driven from home, Philippine indigenous people long for their land

This article details the continuous fight of the Lumad to protect their homes and safeguard their human rights.

Lumad Women, their inter-generational struggle for self-determination

In this article, we see the importance of Lumad women, not only in their society, but also in the protection of their communities and ancestral lands.

The Aftermath of the Marawi Siege

For many of those who lived in Marawi, the siege may have ended but the struggle of rebuilding and healing continues. How can their stories help us understand their experiences? What can we learn from them?

Bullets and Battlescars

This video takes us around Marawi to see the siege's effects on the once-beautiful city and its people. You can also read this recently published article to take a closer look.

War: Marawi Siege

This is a painful yet beautifully written poem on the Marawi Siege. Note: Yuko Olga Kirsten is the writer's granddaughter

Narratives for Healing

This initative uses children's books as a means to help people, especially children, heal from the scars of the Marawi siege. They also allow those of us who may not have experienced it to understand what those who did went through--and are still going through.

Lost and Found: A Song of Marawi

Marawi: Land of the Brave

Water Lilies for Marawi

The Day the Typhoon Came

Zines and Stories of Struggle

Zines are wonderful examples of how writing (and art) through independent publishing can tell stories that could otherwise go unreported or untold by more mainstream channels.

This article from CNN Philippines talks about one particular zine, Sauron, that speaks about the peasant struggle in Negros. I particularly like how they use the comic form to bring such painful narratives to life. This is a striking way of bringing about awareness on a pressing issue.

Stories From an Angle

This documentary prouced by National Geographic was shortlisted for the Oscars. Whether or not you support the war on drugs, this shows how photography is used to tell powerful stories, especially of those people who might otherwise be forgotten. There is graphic content (blood and violence) that might disturb others, so watch with care.

Nevertheless, I deem it important to see since these stories that those of us who are sheltered, who live within village walls, who come from middle class homes never see or hear, are actually true-to-life, everyday experiences for many of our less fortunate countrymen.

Stories From Beyond Our Shores

Emmanuel Jal's story of using music and lyrics to narrate his experience as a former child soldier in Sudan.

Stories of refugees who fled their homeland of Syria

Google Sites

Report abuse