Liberation through words, names and personal narrative. (WK5)

We know words have power, can empower, and are powerful, but just how much so? Could they free captured journalists, or end U.S testing of live monkeys?  Could they convince big named companies to switch to rainforest-friendly packaging, or save the world’s most important fish? And more so than words, what about names? Could a simple list of names change the world?

In Tuan’s ‘Language and the Making of Place: A Narrative-Descriptive Approach’ (1991), he explores this idea of linguistic empowerment, specifically in terms of naming and place. His overall point, I believe, simply, is that words play a crucial part in the meaning, understanding and power of places, people and objects.

Now how does is this concept apply to my network of choice, Care2? I think in two ways. Firstly, Care2 is essentially a words (specifically petition) based network. Images, while available, are not the vital contributor to the websites influence. This is what makes Care2 so successful, not the lack of photos, but the large changes it can bring in the social, physical world with just a few sentences, and a whole lot of names. But how? On page 686 Tuan states, “Words have the general power to bring to light experiences that lie in the shadow or have receded into it, and the specific power to call places into being.” (Tuan, 1991, Pg 686) This is the key. What Tuan is saying is that words can reveal places that were unseen, and Care2’s aim as a social justice website is to bring to light these places, issues and problems hidden within society through informing the public. Or to put it simply to advocate and bring change.

Tuan also later states that, “[We] have come to see that speech – the right to speak and to be heard, the right to name and have that name “stick” – is empowerment” (Tuan 1991, Pg 685) This is the second key. While Tuan is talking specifically about naming a place, I’d like to argue that this applies also to the human name. For fifteen years Care2 has, petition after petition, been exhibiting massive examples of the power of a name.  With lists full of accomplishments (some listed in the opening statement), Care2’s network continues to deliver power back to the people.

It may seem like I haven’t really answered the question of ‘how?’, but I’d like to conclude with a point that brings all these ideas together. What is most influential about these words and names on Care2 is that they are personal and real. In Monday’s lecture we talked about the human narrative as “a tool for liberation”, and I believe that the liberation comes from the power of truth. Care2 isn’t a network that thrives on people rambling about their ‘amazing’ lives, and therefore one that makes us feel like we need to portray ourselves better to keep up with others (you can probably guess what network I’m referencing). Care2 is a network that thrives on the power of words and names through the trust of the truth, because “There is a moral dimension to speech, as there is to physical action.” (Tuan, 1991, Pg 684) and that is liberating.

References:

Delany, Colin (2012). [Image] Retrieved from: http://www.epolitics.com/2012/03/29/obama-campaign-recruiting-buying-names-on-care2-change-org/


Tuan, Yi-Fu (1991). Language and the Making of Place: A Narrative-Descriptive Approach. Madison, Wisconsin WI: Taylor & Francis Ltd. Pg 686 

Tuan, Yi-Fu (1991). Language and the Making of Place: A Narrative-Descriptive Approach. Madison,Winsconsin WI: Taylor & Francis Ltd. Pg 685


Tuan, Yi-Fu (1991). Language and the Making of Place: A Narrative-Descriptive Approach. Madison,Winsconsin WI: Taylor & Francis Ltd. Pg 684

West Siders for Responsible Development (2005). [Image] Retrieved from: http://stopextell.blogspot.com.au/2005_08_01_archive.html

- Jes Meacham