Social Capital: The Power of Narrative

More powerful than money?

Narratives have a plot, character, voice and point of view (Fulton, 2005).  We relate to these voices as our own troubles, delights and earthly queries resonate within their telling and offer explanations.  Berger (2012) states our online social networks are a functional substitute for real communities.  These are places that enable classical narratives to continue with a familiar language and current affairs to be constructed into new narratives.  All are relevant and align certain groups with similar interests or a familiar voice.  In doing so, social capital is created allowing a strengthening of bonds and a platform for agency.  

 

Diagram 1 - Public Wailing Poster

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Grapevine Facebook page has a variety of narratives weaving throughout the dialogue.  What is prominent however is the exercise of agency through these narratives.  “Resistance” and “project” agencies (Petray, 2012) are evident.  The resistance to narratives of mining country, stolen generation and human rights violations are exampled in nationally organised events, protests and petitions.  There are many project agencies that employ strategies to empower through job postings, social events, art exhibitions and community gatherings.  One group member, through his evocative artwork, prompted the organisation of a public wailing, thus simultaneously demonstrating the power of artwork as symbolic narrative and this online network. Through these agencies, as Petray (2012) argues, comes control and empowerment and does not deny Aboriginal people a voice that is evident in narratives of dysfunction.

Van Luyn (2013) states language creates its own reality.  Language and art are important components of these online narratives.  There is a maintenance of family terms (Uncle, Aunty, Cousin or ‘Cuz’), of community (mob), various colloquial social terms (‘deadly’) and reference to lands as ‘country’ often in the regional traditional language.  It is a powerful language, keeping community ties that perpetuate a sense ‘oneness’, power of place and reality.  It is the telling of these narratives, in their terms, which has had the power to endow this online site with vibrant meaning (Tuan, 1991, p. 687). 

Diagram 2 - Social Capital

Therein lays the power of narrative and place and its relationship with social capital and agency.  Through narrative and language, a place develops where there is trust and a sense of belonging that constructs networks.  Establishing communal power, these networks produce agency for empowerment and pro activity. 

The entirety of network, narrative, place and power concepts, amalgamate to produce capital.  We need to feel safe, secure and understood; we need to feel we belong.  

Bibliography

Berger, A. A. (2012).  Media and Society:  A Critical Perspective [DX Reader version].  Retrieved from http://books.google.com.au/books

Fulton, H.  (Ed.).  (2005).  Narrative and Media [DX Version].  Retrieved from http://books.google.com.au/books

Petray, T. (2012).  Can Theory Disempower?  Making Space for Agency in Theories of Indigenous Issues.   Theorising Indigenous Sociology: Australian Perspectives Workshop Proceedings (pp. 1-6).  Sydney:  The University of Sydney.  Retrieved from  http://hdl.handle.net/2123/8791

Tuan, Y-F.  (1991).   Language and the Making of Place:  A Narrative-Descriptive Approach.  Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 81(4), 684-696.

Van Luyn, A. (2013). BA1002: Our Space: Networks, narratives and the making of place, Lecture 5: Stories and Places. [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au

Image Reference

Diagram 1 - Public Wailing Poster  

Grieving Wailing Ceremonial March [Image].  (2013).  Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4987527100634&set=gm.560434827326620&type=1&theater

Diagram 2 - Social Capital

Social Capital [Image].  (2013).  Retrieved from http://bencampbellinzambia.blogspot.com.au/2010/07/social-capital-vs-economic-capital.html