An Academic Essay: The Power of Narrative to Overcome Oppression
Interested in my future Thesis? Here is an essay that I have written about the importance of researching the tools of Narrative.
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In 2013, I became one of three founders of the Jane Street Foundation, whose aim is to build a community of acceptance, love, and support for those who identify as Trans*, Queer, or MOGII (Marginalized Orientation, Gender Identity, and Intersex), through Outreach, Education, and Hospitality. One of our goals is to encourage Transgender individuals to create new stories of hope for their generation, stories that will someday overwhelm the all-too-negative stories that find their way into today’s media. A deeper understanding of the power of myth and narrative is crucial to this project. By understanding and comparing the narrative lines and theories surrounding classic myths, I believe that one can gain crucial tools to identify myths of the current era, and when needed, encourage the generation of new myths.
Cardiff University’s Myth Narrative and Theory track offers an interesting and unique exploration of humanity, both psychologically and sociologically. In conjunction with my academic background in theology and environmental spirituality, a further study of myth, narrative and theory will assist my exploration of the relationship between current gender topics and the emotional factors of fear, hope, and vulnerability. It is my hope that a deeper understanding of the power of Story and Narrative will lead to a realization of how communities of people that are oppressed by others can use Narrative to overcome oppression.
Myths have evolved with passing time. While we accept classical stories as quintessential myths (Persephone’s abduction by Hades, Guinevere’s betrayal of Arthur, or the Great Turtle whose back became the Earth,) a new mythos can be found within each age and culture: the Grimm fairy tales of the 1800s, the plays of the Irish Literary movement, and even the modern superheroes that are found in today’s comics and movies. Through close examination of the myths contained in each era and culture, one can discover a great deal about those people's fears and hopes. These stories become an identity that cultures pass on from parent to child, to remind them of where they have come from. These stories also evolve with time, taking on the present issues and pointing towards the culture’s hoped-for future.
Throughout history, there are instances when an oppressive force uses the tactic of taking away a victim’s mythos in order to hold power over them. In every case, the mythos and culture of the victim was vilified and then silenced. For instance, when settlers first encountered Native Americans, they used both tactics in order to ‘gentrify’ the Native American Culture. They denounced the Natives as savage, feral, and sex-crazed. They created a false tale about Native American culture that bred fear and disgust. Later, when the Native Americans had been relocated to reservations, it was decided that they needed to be gentrified. Their culture was forced from them: their children were taken to English speaking schools, forced to wear ‘normal’ clothing and forbidden from learning about their cultural heritage.
These same tactics can be seen across the ages, from the Roman invasion of the Celtic isles, the Nazi criminalization of the Jews, the gentrification of African Americans, to the discrimination against the LGBT community. In all of these instances of oppression, one can find examples of a culture or people’s vilification by outsiders, followed by a silencing of their myth and culture, their true narrative.
The converse of this is the multitude of instances that reclaiming the narrative as their own can offer a community a source of power and strength. The Irish Literary Revival is an example of the power of myth and narrative in forming a cultural identity and overcoming oppression. During the Revival, poets and playwrights like W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory attempted to revitalize Irish heritage and culture by creating a national literature. With this movement, Irish Nationalists were able to create new myths speaking of their need to reclaim Irish identity and separate from English rule. Irish drama such as Yeats’ and Gregory’s Cathleen ni Houlihan, Synge’s Playboy of the Western World (perhaps a negative example, but none-the-less one of power at the time), and Brien Friel’s Translations each show the evolution of the Irish mythos, and give voice to the fears, hopes, and sufferings of the Irish people.
This same process has happened countless times, in a variety of different cultures and decades. Currently, Native American groups, such as the makers of “Young Lakota” and “Sovereign Body”, are not only bringing light to Native American Heritage but also showcasing a new generation of Native American youth who are deeply connected to their past and are incorporating their inherited narrative within their modern lives. Within LGBT culture, there has been a long battle of reclaiming their true narrative: taking back the word ‘Queer’, for example, and ongoing projects meant to shed real light on the lives of today’s LGBT people, such as Amazon’s “Transparent”. These media actively fight the disparaging views that many individuals hold for LGBT individuals.
Cardiff University offers a unique program that will allow me in-depth study of the power of Narrative. The Myth, Narrative and Theory track of Religious Studies is structured in such a way that I can choose to concentrate on topics such as ‘Myth and Gender’ as well as ‘Myth and Culture’, both of which would offer insight into the question of Narrative’s strength to overcome oppression. The program will also allow me to study a broad range of Myths across time, from ancient Celtic myth to myth in current media. I have not found any other program that matches the needs of my study so exactly, while still allowing me room to study gender and modern media in addition to classic mythology. Studying in Wales will also allow me to directly gauge how the Celtic Narrative affected the history of the country. My study of Literature in Ireland was very enlightening, and I am fully confident that Wales will offer me an abundance of insight into the power of Narrative and Myth. With the knowledge gained from this program, I will be equipped to better understand the struggles that today’s transgender people are dealing with, as well as what hopes and dreams can cause change and create justice.
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In 2013, I became one of three founders of the Jane Street Foundation, whose aim is to build a community of acceptance, love, and support for those who identify as Trans*, Queer, or MOGII (Marginalized Orientation, Gender Identity, and Intersex), through Outreach, Education, and Hospitality. One of our goals is to encourage Transgender individuals to create new stories of hope for their generation, stories that will someday overwhelm the all-too-negative stories that find their way into today’s media. A deeper understanding of the power of myth and narrative is crucial to this project. By understanding and comparing the narrative lines and theories surrounding classic myths, I believe that one can gain crucial tools to identify myths of the current era, and when needed, encourage the generation of new myths.
Cardiff University’s Myth Narrative and Theory track offers an interesting and unique exploration of humanity, both psychologically and sociologically. In conjunction with my academic background in theology and environmental spirituality, a further study of myth, narrative and theory will assist my exploration of the relationship between current gender topics and the emotional factors of fear, hope, and vulnerability. It is my hope that a deeper understanding of the power of Story and Narrative will lead to a realization of how communities of people that are oppressed by others can use Narrative to overcome oppression.
Myths have evolved with passing time. While we accept classical stories as quintessential myths (Persephone’s abduction by Hades, Guinevere’s betrayal of Arthur, or the Great Turtle whose back became the Earth,) a new mythos can be found within each age and culture: the Grimm fairy tales of the 1800s, the plays of the Irish Literary movement, and even the modern superheroes that are found in today’s comics and movies. Through close examination of the myths contained in each era and culture, one can discover a great deal about those people's fears and hopes. These stories become an identity that cultures pass on from parent to child, to remind them of where they have come from. These stories also evolve with time, taking on the present issues and pointing towards the culture’s hoped-for future.
Throughout history, there are instances when an oppressive force uses the tactic of taking away a victim’s mythos in order to hold power over them. In every case, the mythos and culture of the victim was vilified and then silenced. For instance, when settlers first encountered Native Americans, they used both tactics in order to ‘gentrify’ the Native American Culture. They denounced the Natives as savage, feral, and sex-crazed. They created a false tale about Native American culture that bred fear and disgust. Later, when the Native Americans had been relocated to reservations, it was decided that they needed to be gentrified. Their culture was forced from them: their children were taken to English speaking schools, forced to wear ‘normal’ clothing and forbidden from learning about their cultural heritage.
These same tactics can be seen across the ages, from the Roman invasion of the Celtic isles, the Nazi criminalization of the Jews, the gentrification of African Americans, to the discrimination against the LGBT community. In all of these instances of oppression, one can find examples of a culture or people’s vilification by outsiders, followed by a silencing of their myth and culture, their true narrative.
The converse of this is the multitude of instances that reclaiming the narrative as their own can offer a community a source of power and strength. The Irish Literary Revival is an example of the power of myth and narrative in forming a cultural identity and overcoming oppression. During the Revival, poets and playwrights like W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory attempted to revitalize Irish heritage and culture by creating a national literature. With this movement, Irish Nationalists were able to create new myths speaking of their need to reclaim Irish identity and separate from English rule. Irish drama such as Yeats’ and Gregory’s Cathleen ni Houlihan, Synge’s Playboy of the Western World (perhaps a negative example, but none-the-less one of power at the time), and Brien Friel’s Translations each show the evolution of the Irish mythos, and give voice to the fears, hopes, and sufferings of the Irish people.
This same process has happened countless times, in a variety of different cultures and decades. Currently, Native American groups, such as the makers of “Young Lakota” and “Sovereign Body”, are not only bringing light to Native American Heritage but also showcasing a new generation of Native American youth who are deeply connected to their past and are incorporating their inherited narrative within their modern lives. Within LGBT culture, there has been a long battle of reclaiming their true narrative: taking back the word ‘Queer’, for example, and ongoing projects meant to shed real light on the lives of today’s LGBT people, such as Amazon’s “Transparent”. These media actively fight the disparaging views that many individuals hold for LGBT individuals.
Cardiff University offers a unique program that will allow me in-depth study of the power of Narrative. The Myth, Narrative and Theory track of Religious Studies is structured in such a way that I can choose to concentrate on topics such as ‘Myth and Gender’ as well as ‘Myth and Culture’, both of which would offer insight into the question of Narrative’s strength to overcome oppression. The program will also allow me to study a broad range of Myths across time, from ancient Celtic myth to myth in current media. I have not found any other program that matches the needs of my study so exactly, while still allowing me room to study gender and modern media in addition to classic mythology. Studying in Wales will also allow me to directly gauge how the Celtic Narrative affected the history of the country. My study of Literature in Ireland was very enlightening, and I am fully confident that Wales will offer me an abundance of insight into the power of Narrative and Myth. With the knowledge gained from this program, I will be equipped to better understand the struggles that today’s transgender people are dealing with, as well as what hopes and dreams can cause change and create justice.
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