To Highlight the Voices of Those Who Often Go Unheard

Highlighting stories that might otherwise go unheard gives a well-rounded perspective to those who are blissfully ignorant to the unseen plight of other communities and also gives power to those whose stories go untold. Firstly, providing a well-rounded perspective to others is important because it breaks us out of the bubble that we often insulates us. Our values are shaped by the experiences that we have and our exposure to the experiences of others. Storytelling is a good way of giving others a glimpse into a life that could be vastly different from theirs and hear about issues that they may have never faced. Extending the stories of underrepresented groups to other communities can help bridge gaps between different peoples and help outside communities empathize with their struggles.

Secondly, for underserved communities, their voice may be their only power. Having a way to express your ideas is a quality of being human, and to lose that ability is isolating. Their voice is a way to express their identity and to have their voices go unheard strips the group of people what makes them distinct. Our project highlights the stories of those in the addiction community, who are often looked down on for their mental illness. To speak their stories brings them the power to fight back against damaging stereotypes, which are often perpetuated by those who have not had exposure to their struggles. Through storytelling, people in the recovery community can reshape how they are portrayed on their own terms.