Why You Should Tell
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Stories are ways in which people describe any meaningful events in their lives or faith and cultural traditions that are important to them. Those experiences may have transformed people’s lives in some ways or influenced them to change their perspectives. People have been sharing stories from ancient times to keep their traditions and culture alive. Telling these stories was important to transferring traditions across generations and preserving history. At a point before written language, stories prevailed through word and song.
So why do we still need to tell our stories? Why are they so valuable? In our divided and unjust world, it is crucial more than ever that we share stories and keep the tradition alive. We all have stories of struggle, faith, immigration, oppression, injustice, love, hope, or resilience. Stories play the role of connecting people. They help us feel empathy for each other and build deeper relationships. By telling stories, we walk in each other's shoes.
As the daughter of a Ghanaian immigrant and a twelfth-generation African-American, the two cultures I experience simultaneously became one story; a story of a curious girl finding her own voice and where she belonged in a vast universe. In the summers, I would visit family, eat fufu and groundnut soup, learn new Twi (my mother’s language) vocabulary, and take trips to the craft market for new kente (cloth) and waist beads. In New Jersey, I would see my plethora of aunts, uncles, and cousins on my dad’s side. We ate my grandmother’s homemade cornbread and a variety of other hearty foods inspired by our southern heritage. From both sides of my family, I heard stories from each family member. Though they were from different parts of the diaspora, their morals corresponded. They taught me the importance of family, love, trust, honesty, and so much more. My story continues to write itself as I grow, and I hope to inspire others to share theirs.
Stories spread across borders, and they broaden the global perspectives and foster resilience and compassion. Stories are timeless, and they fit all in all cultures and times and resonate with us. Through telling stories, we uncover our Humanity and build connections. Connecting With Humanity provides a platform for diverse voices to share their experiences. Join in this journey and tell us your story!
So why do we still need to tell our stories? Why are they so valuable? In our divided and unjust world, it is crucial more than ever that we share stories and keep the tradition alive. We all have stories of struggle, faith, immigration, oppression, injustice, love, hope, or resilience. Stories play the role of connecting people. They help us feel empathy for each other and build deeper relationships. By telling stories, we walk in each other's shoes.
As the daughter of a Ghanaian immigrant and a twelfth-generation African-American, the two cultures I experience simultaneously became one story; a story of a curious girl finding her own voice and where she belonged in a vast universe. In the summers, I would visit family, eat fufu and groundnut soup, learn new Twi (my mother’s language) vocabulary, and take trips to the craft market for new kente (cloth) and waist beads. In New Jersey, I would see my plethora of aunts, uncles, and cousins on my dad’s side. We ate my grandmother’s homemade cornbread and a variety of other hearty foods inspired by our southern heritage. From both sides of my family, I heard stories from each family member. Though they were from different parts of the diaspora, their morals corresponded. They taught me the importance of family, love, trust, honesty, and so much more. My story continues to write itself as I grow, and I hope to inspire others to share theirs.
Stories spread across borders, and they broaden the global perspectives and foster resilience and compassion. Stories are timeless, and they fit all in all cultures and times and resonate with us. Through telling stories, we uncover our Humanity and build connections. Connecting With Humanity provides a platform for diverse voices to share their experiences. Join in this journey and tell us your story!
PS. Please submit your story via this link: https://www.connectingwithhumanity.org/telling-stories.html
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