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Voices for Intercultural
Understanding
The history of storytelling isn’t one of simply entertaining the masses but
of also advising, instructing, challenging the status quo.
—Therese Fowler
Editors’ Comments
Challenging the status quo—envisioning a world in which people see
past “otherness” to the human being within: that is the hallmark of the proj-
ects described in this chapter. Each is animated by a deep belief in the power
of storytelling to make that vision a reality.
Throughout these projects run central themes of passion, dedication,
and hard work. The passion is evident: a passion for breaking down barriers
of culture, ethnicity, and fear; a passion for helping people see each other as
more alike than different; and a passion for kindling hope.
Dedication to success is palpable as well. There is a willingness—even an
eagerness—to evaluate, assess, and adjust accordingly. “That’s not how we’ve
always done it” is not a maxim of this work. “How can we do it better?” is.
Another pervasive theme in these essays is teamwork—no one is in it
alone. Each group internally forms a community and then presents itself to
the world that joins in: another community!
