Until the lion learns how to write every story will glorify the hunter. African Proverb
When I first heard and understood the power of this quote many years ago, it was part of the inspiration to change my decision to be a licensed clinical social worker. A beloved mentor helped me to understand that the predominantly white cannon of the field needed learned scholars who could write articles and do research from the experience of Black people. I went on to get my dissertation and have since written many times over from my life experience and perspective, and increasingly with my authentic voice. But creating content is not enough.
After years of striving for progress toward more opportunity for all people, in this the 250th year of this country’s formalized existence, we live in a time of furious backlash. A time when the ruling class is ruthlessly doing all it can get away with to eliminate anything or anybody that challenges their dominant narratives. Narratives that vaunt white men with money and positional power as the masters of the universe: they can do no wrong, anything that is “good” is their creation, they are entitled to rule, and anything or anyone other than their tribe is expendable or subject to their whims.
It is time for us to take matters into our own hands, as we always have. Not by expending our energy to try to stop them, but by focusing on working toward what’s right. We need to create our stories in a variety of ways, yes, but we must also communicate them in all the ways we can. When books are being banned and media is being limited to content that glorifies white supremacy and toxic masculinity, we must actively tell our truths, share our stories and our culture, and open channels of access to these stories and cultural artifacts with a determination that is fiercely unapologetic. This is the mission of The Society of African American Narratives (TSAAN) – a movement to ensure that African American history is preserved through visual storytelling—real stories of our culture, our contributions, our tribulations, and our triumphs.
TSAAN is a needed 1-stop resource – curated by Black people – where Black people and others can access video content about Black people. Eventually, when one goes to the TSAAN website they will find most any links and other content about (and mostly by) Black people – no need to search in multiple places. Additionally, there will be curricula to teach from these videos at multiple grade levels, from elementary through graduate school.
I serve on the TSAAN board because I believe our stories are essential education about what it means to be American. And essential inspiration, especially in times like these. Despite the backlash, I know that there is no American story without our story, and we must do the work to ensure that our stories live on.
