The concept that stuck out to me the most in the Artnett chapters two and three this week was “narrative”. It was because it’s a word I’m very familiar with and have studied quite a bit in terms of the traditional literary since and in context of film studies, but I haven’t found myself considering it in terms of communication ethics.
In chapter two of Communication Ethics Literacy : Dialogue & Difference, Arnett defines “narrative” as “a story agreed upon by a group of people that provides limits within which we dwell as embedded communicative agents… Communication ethics philosophy and application are foreground issues for this chapter, but it is the background narratives of what groups of persons know and do that put limits and shed light on the knowing and doing of communication ethics. Narratives can and do change from the actions of communicative agents and shifts in the historical moment— narratives change, ideologies resist alteration from the outside, and stories sometimes fail to move people to the point of active support.” (Arnett 25). Arnett goes further in the next chapter and explains that “[narrative] assumes that a communication ethic begins with persons' lives guided by stories about the way the world is or should be, protecting and promoting the good residing within given narratives.” (Arnett 43).
I noticed a very specific kind of ‘narrative’ that started to grow in the communities around where I lived during the George Floyd protests in 2020. In my hometown, there are lots of surrounding wealthy people living on Lake Minnetonka that live very sheltered and privileged lives. While the protests carried on, I heard many conversions building around the idea that Minneapolis has somehow always been this very dangerous city that you shouldn’t visit, and that the suburbs like the ones around Lake Minnetonka are the only place to be because they have the “correct” views on what is going on. There was a bit of group polarization going on because instead of informing themselves on the situation, many people in the wealthy community would just gossip to themselves and polarize their thoughts to concerning levels.
Hi Keaton,
ReplyDeleteI appreciated that you first mentioned how you have studied narratives in the literary sense and haven't spent a lot of time thinking about it in relation to communication ethics. I had the same revelation while reading the chapters, because I have only thought of narratives in relation to my own engagements with people.
I really enjoyed your blog post and can relate to it in multiple ways. I am also from a suburb outside of Minneapolis and noticed the same narrative playing out during the George Floyd protests in 2020. This was fascinating because, while I was actually living in Minneapolis at the time, I was reading about the polarizing narratives between my current place of living and my home town. I think that you were spot on when talking about how the conversations created a narrative that Minneapolis has always been a dangerous city. I think that this was a great example of how narratives can divide people and make it difficult to really engage in communication ethics. I believe that this specific example of people were engaging in Standpoint communication ethics, because their positionality was influencing their perspective, and clouding the possibility of learning about the actual situation.
Hello Keaton!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that this concept is one that stood out to me based on having prior knowledge of the word "narrative" itself. Additionally, I think it is important that you noted what the idea of narrative brings to communication ethics. I believe that the quote you added about narrative, ideologies, and stories was one that is useful in having a deeper understanding of the relationship between these concepts (narrative in particular) and communication ethics.
In response to the narrative you wrote about regarding the polarization and the fallout that happened around you and other places outside the city after the murder and protest(s) of George Floyd, I think this is a perfect example. I am from Colorado, and before moving here numerous people from home warned me about the dangers of Minneapolis and how the city isn't a place I should necessarily be around. I find it interesting how the narrative that you experienced first hand is the same or similar to what I experienced, even over 700 miles away. Do you think the source for narratives like these come from the media, or where? Good post!