Changing Hearts and Minds One Story at a Time

Long before we humans devised written language, we used storytelling to share information from one person to another, from one family to another, from one community to another. In doing so, we discovered common threads that we all share, which make up the common fabric of humankind and remind us that we are much more alike than different. In recent times, the demands of modern society have resulted in news and public policy dialogue focusing too often on cold statistics and bottom-line numbers, even with such an obviously humane issue as health care. Things may be changing for the better, however.

Storytelling is making a comeback in the 21st century. Nowhere is this more evident than in nonprofit advocacy for social justice. Through the ever-easier access to information technology, from blogging and posting videos on the Internet to snapping a digital photo and submitting it along with a letter to your senator to address a concern, regular people are sharing their stories and putting a human face on a multitude of issues. The result is that we are being reminded of the power of helping people better understand each other and our common humanity through the sharing of stories.

The Tennessee Health Care Campaign has for years used the power of storytelling to remind the public, policy makers, and media of the "public" behind public policy. We have helped those most impacted by public policy engage in the debate in order to call for and make positive improvements. That's why we were thrilled when Baptist Healing Trust chose to fund our Voices of the Uninsured project in September of 2008.

Visit our Story section to read the Voices of the Uninsured, and to lend your own voice by sharing your story.