Narrative Change
Our data shows that it is often uncomfortable or difficult to discuss the impacts of systemic and interpersonal racism openly and honestly, and as a result of that many people lack an understanding of the scale of racism in America. People must be able to talk openly about racism and inequitable impacts in order to create change. Simply put, you cannot change what you do not acknowledge. EPU’s narrative work continues to create opportunities for discussion on the lasting impact of racism on people and institutions and, as a result, moves the nation forward in its pursuit of racial equity.
Ripples of Change
In 2022, EPU’s Narrative Change work continues to leverage behavioral science and human-centered design techniques in order to understand and change perceptions and beliefs around the issues of race and equity. Over the course of 2022, EPU enhanced its narrative change work with Project Over Zero on a deeper analysis of white Southern audiences as it relates to racism, inequity, and healing. Using data from all of our past research, EPU is creating new tools to reach this important audience, with a goal of moving but not further entrenching racist behavior from those who are the most likely to change or become active allies.
EPU also spent 2022 diving deeper into how to use the medium of storytelling to reach new audiences. The EPU team traveled to the National Storytelling Festival in Tennessee to record interviews with storytellers and the general public on the power of stories to change hearts and minds. We also selected Dr. Otis Pickett who will serve as EPU’s first Eminent Scholar. The EPU Eminent Scholars program engages experts to advance narrative change and community dialogue that addresses systemic racism in America with Southern audiences.
Building on the Conversations for an Equitable South narrative work, the multi-conversation Democracy Series focuses on the importance of a strong Democracy in advancing equity. The Democracy Series brought together some of our country’s great thinkers, activists, advocates, and leaders on the current issues of race and equity in the American South. With shared experiences and hopes for a better South, the series inspires action to create a true equitable Democracy for all.
In 2022, EPU’s Narrative Change work continues to leverage behavioral science and human-centered design techniques in order to understand and change perceptions and beliefs around the issues of race and equity. Over the course of 2022, EPU enhanced its narrative change work with Project Over Zero on a deeper analysis of white Southern audiences as it relates to racism, inequity, and healing. Using data from all of our past research, EPU is creating new tools to reach this important audience, with a goal of moving but not further entrenching racist behavior from those who are the most likely to change or become active allies.
EPU also spent 2022 diving deeper into how to use the medium of storytelling to reach new audiences. The EPU team traveled to the National Storytelling Festival in Tennessee to record interviews with storytellers and the general public on the power of stories to change hearts and minds. We also selected Dr. Otis Pickett who will serve as EPU’s first Eminent Scholar. The EPU Eminent Scholars program engages experts to advance narrative change and community dialogue that addresses systemic racism in America with Southern audiences.
Building on the Conversations for an Equitable South narrative work, the multi-conversation Democracy Series focuses on the importance of a strong Democracy in advancing equity. The Democracy Series brought together some of our country’s great thinkers, activists, advocates, and leaders on the current issues of race and equity in the American South. With shared experiences and hopes for a better South, the series inspires action to create a true equitable Democracy for all.
Program Highlights
Conversations for an Equitable South
As a continuation of our important Conversations for an Equitable South narrative work, the multi-conversation Democracy Series focused on the importance of a strong Democracy in advancing equity. Leveraging the midterms and political landscape and need for voter participation, EPU partnered with Civil Rights Icon Ambassador Andrew Young, former Atlanta mayor and U.S. Congressman to create a thoughtful series of encouraging videos that squarely focus on voting. The goal of the effort was to reinforce that every vote matters when creating a better and more equitable future for us all.
Southern Storytelling
Through a partnership with the International Storytelling Center (ISC) in Tennessee, EPU is bringing people together utilizing storytelling to provide personal insight into the impact of equity and tales of unity. In October, EPU and ISC captured on-the-ground videos and photos at the 50th National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee regarding the power of story to unite and advance equity. As our work focuses on changing hearts and minds, the festival was the perfect venue to capture stories that we know will move our audiences. We will use storytelling to engage folks across the South to share their own journey on race and equity because our research proves that people who hear stories of transformation are more likely to transform themselves.
EPU’s First Eminent Scholar
As EPU continues its work to change narratives of systemic and interpersonal racism in the American South, it is essential that we use a variety of messages and messengers to reach our target audiences. Our research tells us that finding and amplifying the voices of trusted messengers is the only way for our messaging to be impactful and lead to sustainable change. That is why in 2022 we created the EPU Eminent Scholars program.
The EPU Eminent Scholars program engages experts to advance narrative change and community dialogue that addresses systemic racism in America with Southern audiences. South Carolina native and Historian at Clemson University, Dr. Otis Pickett was selected to serve as EPU’s first Eminent Scholar.
EPU’s first encounter with Otis came years ago, when he spoke on a panel for the William Winter Institute as they participated in W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Day of Racial Healing. Since then, we have seen Otis reach and impact Southern Christian audiences about issues of racial equity in ways we had never seen before, making him the perfect choice to be our inaugural Eminent Scholar.
In this role, he will assist EPU in reaching white southern men and women to help them understand race, systemic racism and the role of the Lost Cause in creating a uniquely southern civil religion. To learn more about Otis and his work, click here.
As EPU continues its work to change narratives of systemic and interpersonal racism in the American South, it is essential that we use a variety of messages and messengers to reach our target audiences. Our research tells us that finding and amplifying the voices of trusted messengers is the only way for our messaging to be impactful and lead to sustainable change. That is why in 2022 we created the EPU Eminent Scholars program.
The EPU Eminent Scholars program engages experts to advance narrative change and community dialogue that addresses systemic racism in America with Southern audiences. South Carolina native and Historian at Clemson University, Dr. Otis Pickett was selected to serve as EPU’s first Eminent Scholar.
EPU’s first encounter with Otis came years ago, when he spoke on a panel for the William Winter Institute as they participated in W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Day of Racial Healing. Since then, we have seen Otis reach and impact Southern Christian audiences about issues of racial equity in ways we had never seen before, making him the perfect choice to be our inaugural Eminent Scholar.
In this role, he will assist EPU in reaching white southern men and women to help them understand race, systemic racism and the role of the Lost Cause in creating a uniquely southern civil religion. To learn more about Otis and his work, click here.
| Dr. Otis Pickett on Religion, hospitality, and the gift of sustaining a friendship through thick and thin: A Bond Deeper than Death – Comment Magazine. |
| Listen to Dr. Otis Pickett on Symbolism, Idolatry, and Memory in the U.S. South (Spotify) |
| View Dr. Otis Pickett on Racism in Christian Higher Education above Or listen to it as a Podcast. |