Counter Narratives
What is a Counter Narrative?
Per the definition given in Sara B. Demoiny and Jessica Ferraras-Stone's article "Critical Literacy in Elementary Social Studies: Juxtaposing Historical Master and Counter Narratives in Picture Books" (2018), a counter narrative will accomplish the following when recounting historical events:
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“Explore differences rather than making them invisible,
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Enrich understandings of history and life by giving voice to those traditionally silenced or marginalized,
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Show how people can begin to take action on important social issues,
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Explore dominant systems of meaning that operate in our society to position people and groups of people as ‘others,’
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Don’t provide ‘happily ever after’ endings for complex social problems.” (Richardson and Hatch 2009, cited in Demoiny and Ferraras-Stone 2018, 5)
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Transform Assumptions About Pocahontas
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List of Pocahontas counter narratives that can transform recurring prominent and harmful assertions within the master narrative about Pocahontas, Powhatans, and colonialism
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Read Recommended Pocahontas Counter Narratives
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Selection of several recommended resources that effectively complicate the Pocahontas master narrative, each paired with lesson plan prompts and suggestions
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Explore Further
Pocahontas and Native American History Counter Narratives
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List of further Pocahontas counter narrative bibliographies, books, lesson plans, and websites for educators