Giving Tuesday is a time for generosity, connection and affect. It is a second when communications professionals have the facility to inform tales that encourage motion. However whereas drafting narratives to drive donations and engagement, PR professionals have to ask themselves: are we doing extra hurt than good with the language used?
Too typically, the tales fall into the lure of the “savior” narrative—language that paints the folks organizations function “needy,” “unvoiced” or “at-risk.” Whereas this sort of storytelling would possibly tug on the heartstrings, it additionally positions the donor because the hero, inadvertently diminishing the dignity of the folks within the story.
Circumstances do not outline an individual, irrespective of how dire. This Giving Tuesday, it’s time to rethink the way in which these tales are instructed. Communicators have to shift the main focus to humanity, resilience, and the obstacles these people face, not the stereotypes or tropes that may garner a fast emotional response.
Why Language Issues
Many individuals write content material with the most effective intentions, utilizing phrases like those above to spotlight the urgency of a trigger. However these phrases can scale back folks to their circumstances and strip away their complexity.
Sure, somebody could also be dealing with vital challenges. However describing them in these phrases makes it simple for the viewers to view them solely by means of the lens of pity or charity. It ignores their energy, their braveness and humanity.
As a substitute, take into consideration the larger image. What systemic obstacles are they up in opposition to? What inequities have put them on this place? And most significantly, how can communicators inform their tales in a approach that raises them, versus diminishing them?
The Lure of the Savior Narrative
The “savior” narrative is tempting. It’s a traditional storytelling components: drawback, hero, decision. On this case, it typically interprets to a person in want, the donor because the hero, and the group because the facilitator of change.
It’s a confirmed components as a result of it really works. It evokes emotion, evokes motion and drives donations. But it surely additionally reinforces a dangerous energy dynamic the place donors are positioned as superior to the folks they’re serving to.
With out realizing it, this method could perpetuate stereotypes in regards to the communities organizations are attempting to help, scale back people to things of pity, strip away their company or create a false narrative that oversimplifies the issue and the answer.
A Higher Strategy to Inform Tales
PR practitioners have to shift the main focus away from the savior narrative. As a substitute of framing folks as passive recipients of assist, tales can spotlight their resilience and the systemic obstacles they face. This method doesn’t make the story any much less compelling; it makes it extra human.
So, how will we do that?
Deal with Limitations, not Simply Circumstances
As a substitute of highlighting somebody’s struggles as their defining attribute, present the methods they’re navigating. Speak about inequities in housing, well being care or training. Doing this shifts the main focus from the person to the broader drawback, making the story about systemic change slightly than private failure.
Spotlight Power and resilience
Each individual’s story consists of braveness and perseverance. Highlighting these qualities makes the narrative extra empowering whereas nonetheless being trustworthy in regards to the challenges the individual faces.
Middle Their Voice
Let the themes communicate for themselves at any time when doable. Their perspective provides authenticity and avoids the chance of telling their story for them.
Stability Complexity with Urgency
Individuals aren’t one-dimensional. Share their complete tales, together with their joys, desires and relationships, not simply their struggles.
Let’s Speak About Inspiration Porn
One other frequent pitfall in storytelling is “inspiration porn.” It occurs when tales about folks with disabilities or marginalized teams are framed as feel-good content material for an able-bodied or privileged viewers.
For instance, calling somebody “inspirational” for doing one thing as strange as going to highschool or holding a job implies that their existence is exceptional merely due to their identification. Whereas these narratives might sound uplifting, they are often patronizing and dehumanizing.
Communicators have to examine their intentions. Are we telling this story to create actual understanding and empathy, or are we searching for a fast emotional hit? Inspiration doesn’t want to come back on the expense of dignity.
What this implies for Giving Tuesday
On Giving Tuesday, PR professionals have a singular alternative to attach folks with causes that matter. However as an alternative of defaulting to language that evokes pity, concentrate on storytelling that uplifts.
- Educate, don’t pander. Assist the viewers perceive the larger image. What are the foundation causes of the problems the group is addressing? How can donors play a task in creating systemic change?
- Have fun humanity. Present the energy, creativity, and resilience of the folks in these tales. These are qualities everybody can relate to, no matter their circumstances.
- Body donors as companions, not heroes. Donors are an important a part of the answer, however they’re not the entire story. Place them as collaborators working towards a shared purpose.
A Problem for Communicators
Communications professionals have the facility to form perceptions, spark conversations and drive change by means of storytelling. However with that energy comes accountability.
For this Giving Tuesday, let’s problem ourselves to do higher. Use language that uplifts slightly than diminishes, ship narratives that empower slightly than stereotype, and share tales that join slightly than divide.
One of the best tales aren’t about heroes and victims; they’re about individuals who face challenges, overcome obstacles and thrive with the correct help.
Matisse Hamel-Nelis is Founder and Principal at Matisee Nelis Consulting and a month-to-month phase contributor to Accessible Media Inc.