Liz Warren | Storyteller

What do we do when our own country and culture  fails to recognize its various unsung heroes and their monumental contributions? We tell their stories to those who are willing to listen.

In America, and likely in other countries, many crucial figures, such as women of color, are often disregarded and ignored in the academic curriculum. When children do not have access to the information regarding remarkable individuals of various experiences and backgrounds, It does not facilitate a sense of belonging or connection within society. It does not allow children to look up to hidden marvelous figures or understand their own capabilities and possibilities.

However, oral storytelling can change this. It is ultimately up to us, as storytellers and historians, to recall important figures and their achievements. We can do this through research, educating ourselves, advocating for their preservation and presence in the academic world, and keeping their memories alive through oral storytelling and its numerous qualities that assist with maintaining an individual’s own experience.

Not all heroes wear capes. In this case, Josephine Baker wore a banana skirt and military uniform! However, listening to a story of her life years ago resonated with me as a woman of color and is something I will never forget or diminish. Her experiences as a woman of color in America still resonates with many today, and her ability to use her influence to assist others, whether in a time of global conflict or when returning to America to help in the Civil Rights Movement should not be disregarded or ignored. Josephine deserves a rightful place in American history, and that can only be accomplished through serving as active storytellers.

We often undermine and underestimate our own capabilities, but I had the ability to learn that one good story and its beneficial structure can last generations, preserving an individual’s past experiences that has the ability to resonate with millions. Although storytelling is a continuous and arduous process, we serve as the foundation to inspire future generations. Our stories have the capacity to reverberate for centuries and traverse language, culture, and experiences. It is ultimately up to us as readers who to recall and how we choose to do it.