This document discusses the importance of adding context to individual narratives and stories. It notes that individual narratives can sometimes promote stereotypes or focus only on individual achievement. The document advocates looking at where people come from including their residence, ancestry, profession, socioeconomic background and beliefs in order to provide more complete context. It also discusses the importance of whose stories are being told and issues of voice, validation and dominant narratives. The document promotes the idea that socially constructed norms create meaning and influence decisions and power structures in societies. It emphasizes the importance of authenticity, accountability and self-reflection in telling personal stories.

1. One Chapter:
Adding context to a single story
Narrative Workshop 2.24.16
Sida Ly-Xiong

2. INDIVIDUAL NARRATIVES
 Anecdotal tokens – stereotypes
 Putting a face on an issue (emotional vs rational)
 Focus on individual achievement
 Episodic potential, hero worshipping
 Statistical outliers used to contradict trends
 Easily dismissed – single piece of information

3. Where do you come from?
 Residence, Place of birth
 Ancestry, Ethnicity
 Profession or Vocation
 Socio economic background
 Spiritual or religious ideology

4. ENGAGEMENT & EQUITY
 Who’s story?
 Voice & validation
 Dominant narratives

5. WHO KNOWS – HOW DO WE KNOW
SOCIALLY CONSTRUCTED
NORMS:
 Create meaning
 Share information
 Make decisions
 Power in numbers
 Enduring ideologies
 Accepted myths

6. Authenticity & Accountability
“Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make
every day. It's about the choice to show up and be real. The
choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be
seen.”
- Brene Brown
“Relationships we develop with our coalition partners must be
transformative, not transactional.”
- Reverend Dr. William Barber

7. Mirror, Mirror

8. Activity
 Self reflection
 Group reflection

9. Belonging TO

10. Belonging IN

11. MMM HMMM
1. ME
2. MISSION MOMENT
3. MORE THAN ME
4. ME AND MORE
5. MOVEMENT
6. MOMENTUM
Brought to you by the letter
M

12. Telling your story

13. TRY IT OUT
 DON’T YUCK MY YUM
 ACTIVE LISTENING
 RESTATE WHAT RESONATES

14. A Story is a window,
an opportunity to see ourselves
reflected in others:
Am I using my privilege
to undo injustices?
Will I be a challenge or an opportunity?

15. Food for thought
 Grace Lee Boggs vs Morpheous (Or Belonging IN or TO the
Public Sector) https://www.govloop.com/community/blog/grace-
lee-boggs-vs-morpheous-belonging-public-sector/
 Brene Brown – Power of Vulnerability
https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability?langua
ge=en
 CDC/ATSDR Principles of Community Engagement
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/communityengagement/pdf/PCE_Repo
rt_508_FINAL.pdf

16. MMM HMMM
1. ME
2. MISSION MOMENT
3. MORE THAN ME
4. ME AND MORE
5. MOVEMENT
6. MOMENTUM
Brought to you by the letter
M