“Until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter.” ~ African Proverb
I was recently scrolling through my fb posts when I came across this familiar African Proverb.I’ve often seen it displayed on people's’ timelines. I suppose it’s posted as an encouragement for people to understand the importance of telling their own stories.Every time I see it I pause.I take time to stop and read it again as a way of giving humble reverence of the wisdom nuggets I believe are shared in the words of this old African proverb.Nuggets such as:
I am reminded of the recent presidential election cycle.As an African American woman looking, listening and/or reading about others talking about issues of race and gender on television, radio,or in writings in print or online.I sometimes felt like the defeated lion reading and listening to stories of none other than the glorified hunters.This is bound to happen anytime issues such as race or gender or being discussed in spaces where there are no people of color or women in the discussion.The thought that there are listeners whose perceptions are potentially shaped by such one-side discussions is quite chilling although unfortunately it happens daily.
However,there is good news!Thanks to the multitude of various social media platforms available. An ample opportunity has been provided for people (i.e.the lions in the stories of life) to write and share their own stories using their own voices, perceptions, feelings, beliefs, attitudes, and life experiences.The various platforms provide a space for a diversity of stories that are chipping away bit-by-bit at the pieces of the one-sided type stories that have often glorified the hunter at the expense of the voiceless and often defeated lion.
Considering this I say bravo!Bravo to the lions who have learned to write their own stories.Bravo to the lions who are exposing parts of the story that have perhaps been left out too often and for far too long.Bravo to all you writing lions who are sharing, “the rest of the story”.Keep on doing what you do.Keep on writing.Keep flooding the information highway with your lion stories to ensure that there is always a diversity of thought and opinion.And in spite of those who will try to make you believe that your story is insignificant.Write it anyway.And know for sure that they are wrong because the truth of the matter is - writing your own story is important!
- The only one that can adequately write the lions’ story is the lion.(In other words.It is important for you to use your voice and tell your own story)
- It is never in the best interest of the lion to trust that the hunter will, or even has the intention or ability to communicate an honest portrayal of the experience between them.(In other words, if the only view shared is one-sided then automatically the story is one-sided and slanted in the direction of the one who is writing the story.)Thus the importance of the first wisdom nugget.I guess you could say it’s a matter of checks and balances.
- The story can only be considered complete when all sides of the story are shared.And it is only from this shared space that we can truly begin to grasp an understanding of any story.And whether or not there is any glory to be bestowed.
I am reminded of the recent presidential election cycle.As an African American woman looking, listening and/or reading about others talking about issues of race and gender on television, radio,or in writings in print or online.I sometimes felt like the defeated lion reading and listening to stories of none other than the glorified hunters.This is bound to happen anytime issues such as race or gender or being discussed in spaces where there are no people of color or women in the discussion.The thought that there are listeners whose perceptions are potentially shaped by such one-side discussions is quite chilling although unfortunately it happens daily.
However,there is good news!Thanks to the multitude of various social media platforms available. An ample opportunity has been provided for people (i.e.the lions in the stories of life) to write and share their own stories using their own voices, perceptions, feelings, beliefs, attitudes, and life experiences.The various platforms provide a space for a diversity of stories that are chipping away bit-by-bit at the pieces of the one-sided type stories that have often glorified the hunter at the expense of the voiceless and often defeated lion.
Considering this I say bravo!Bravo to the lions who have learned to write their own stories.Bravo to the lions who are exposing parts of the story that have perhaps been left out too often and for far too long.Bravo to all you writing lions who are sharing, “the rest of the story”.Keep on doing what you do.Keep on writing.Keep flooding the information highway with your lion stories to ensure that there is always a diversity of thought and opinion.And in spite of those who will try to make you believe that your story is insignificant.Write it anyway.And know for sure that they are wrong because the truth of the matter is - writing your own story is important!