Stories of other lands and other cultures often come to us at arm’s length. Someone is assigned to do a story, so they visit and explore, conduct interviews, then report back. Lots of great writing comes out of this process, but it’s not the same as when the one who is doing the reporting is also resident, woven into the fabric of the local culture.
Nonprofits often act in similar fashion. They identify a problem, then drop in with a solution to address an immediate need, short term, then exit when the job is “done”. This process of parachuting into trouble spots doesn’t work well across cultures.
The story that’s reported, while competent, more often than not is incomplete and it lacks the true essence of how the locals live, what they deal with on a daily basis, and the implications of hardships on the lives of those living there. Nonprofits face those same limitations. A job well done, but long term, far from “mission accomplished”, resulting in troublesome situations fading for a time, only to reappear in the future.
Understanding the story, inside out
Ev Meade, PhD, directs the Trans-Border Institute at the University of San Diego, exploring how universities can help to build peace in places beset by violence and shrouded in fear, with the viewpoint that such efforts, noble as they may be, only succeed when organizations see themselves as anchors, rather than parachutes.
In his talk Ev speaks about the challenges of working in Sinaloa, Mexico, home of the Sinaloa Drug Cartel, as well as the cartel’s former leader, Joaquín Guzmán, known as “El Chapo”. Ev takes us into the community and describes what life is like for those living in Sinaloa, highlighting the fact that “more than 90 percent of homicides do not produce an arrest.” How would you feel, living in such a community?
Despite the somber nature of the topic, Ev brings passion and energy to the stage with superb use of vocal variation and pausing to support an evolving narrative which looks at failed policies, misconceptions and stereotypes, then presents a new way of dealing with troubled communities that involves an understanding of the facts and partnering with residents in order to become an “anchor” that can be relied upon in the future.
How truth is revealed within story
At one point Ev uses the phrase, unpacking the myth, as a way to let us know that often times, what people commonly assume about a situation, does not represent the truth. Does that apply to your storyline? Is there an aspect of your narrative that can dispel untruths about your subject? And is there an opportunity to set the record straight?
Listen to the way in which he provides details that evoke visuals which allow you to experience living inside Sinaloa, if only in your mind’s eye. The essence of his story, expressed simply as, “How can we help to reduce violence and build sustainable peace.” That is that challenge Ev is facing as a gringo with a team of graduate students.
Sometimes the work of peace building means that you have to go to places and engage with people in situations where conventional educators might not venture.
If you’re working on a talk that involves your work in another culture; as a business, nonprofit, or as a government representative, consider Ev’s approach to painting a picture of a better future as a classic conclusion to a problem/solution style of talk.
Specific examples throughout support his thesis that organizations need to become anchors with a community instead of parachuting in with a solution that misses the point, that does not reflect the true needs of the locals. Does your story contain such specificity? Can he audience feel what you or your characters felt in the moment?
Violence also creates stories that need to be told.
When we deal with the perpetrators as people, the results can be really surprising.
I spoke with a number of attendees after Ev’s speech who were deeply impacted by his story. As a result they came to understand the tragic situation in Sinaloa in a new light. Perspectives were changed, questions raised, discussions initiated. This is the power inherent in stories of personal involvement with other cultures, trans-border in this case, but such revelations also occur between / within nations, states, communities.
How can your story transform viewpoints, bridge divides, and initiate conversations?
Peace Innovators is a program from the Kroc School of Peace Studies, University of San Diego in which select faculty members prepare presentations that are focused on the human issues they address within their professional studies as well as class curriculum. I had the pleasure of working with each of these speakers as they prepared their talks.
I hope that you enjoyed this post. If so, please share your wisdom and insights below. And don’t forget to subscribe. You can also find me on LinkedIn and Twitter, or even drop me a line with any thoughts or questions you may have about storytelling.