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The Intersection of Literacy and Social Change

Writer's picture: Kayla MullinsKayla Mullins
Title Image: The Intersection of Literacy and Social Change on Novel Designs Co.'s blog.

If you've followed my journey for a while, you'll know that I've had a few rebrandings and changes in course. It was all a growth process in finding what truly spoke to me and how I could better serve my community. With my son getting older and starting to ask questions about the world around him, I found my calling in my desire to not only be active in creating a future that he can feel safe in, but also to help him learn to be the kind of human that will continue that work for others. Literacy has always been the underlying theme, but when I began researching the intersections of literacy and social change, I knew that's where I belonged.

“Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign, but stories can also be used to empower and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people, but stories can also repair that broken dignity.” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, pulled from her famous TED Talk, "The Danger of a Single Story," in which she emphasizes how diverse narratives help build empathy and challenge stereotypes, fostering greater understanding between cultures and communities.

Books and storytelling have always been major players for social change by shining a light on injustice, building empathy, and inspiring people to take action. Stories that reveal society’s flaws and highlight resilience challenge oppressive systems and kickstart movements for equality. Storytelling breaks through cultural and geographic walls, bringing people together over common struggles and dreams. Books have this awesome ability to lift up marginalized voices, making the unseen seen and the unheard heard, while empowering folks to dream of and work towards a fairer world. Whether through memoirs, novels, or poetry, storytelling not only mirrors the human experience but also acts as a guide for changing society, offering hope and rallying communities towards progress. This exploration delves into the connections between literacy, storytelling, and social justice, highlighting their role in advocacy and change. Literacy empowers by providing access to knowledge and enabling expression. Storytelling connects universally, fostering empathy and unity. Together, they amplify marginalized voices, challenge power systems, and inspire action. By examining historical and current examples, this discussion demonstrates how these tools address injustice, fight for equality, and envision a fairer future.

The Role of Literacy in Empowerment

Throughout history, literacy has empowered people to fight oppression and claim their rights. Frederick Douglass, a key figure in ending slavery, taught himself to read and write, using these skills to write his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. This work exposed slavery's brutality and inspired the abolitionist movement. Similarly, literacy was vital in global civil rights movements, such as the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Literacy campaigns empowered communities to understand their rights and resist systemic racism. Leaders like Nelson Mandela emphasized education's role in dismantling apartheid, famously stating, Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. These historical examples show that literacy is a collective force for empowerment, enabling people to challenge authority and drive social change.


And while our current world may look very different now than it did in the past, literacy still serves a key purpose in empowering people to stand up for change. Being able to read and write is super important for fighting inequality, and local programs along with digital literacy projects are key in helping out marginalized groups. Local, or grassroots, projects tackle the big education gaps faced by underserved communities. These programs work directly with communities, customizing their methods to fit local needs and making sure everyone feels involved and empowered. Specifically in my beautiful state of Kentucky, we have programs at the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning in Lexington, Read Ready Covington, United Way of South Central Kentucky Reading Initiative in Somerset, the UK Literacy Clinic also in Lexington, and the statewide program Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

As technology becomes more crucial in education, work, and general life, knowing how to use it is a must. Initiatives such as Code.org aim to close the gender and economic gaps in tech skills by teaching coding and computer science to underrepresented groups. These programs not only set participants up for in-demand jobs but also give them the tools to innovate and tackle issues in their communities. Efforts to bring digital access to remote or underserved areas are also super important. For example, Internet.org has been working to provide affordable internet in places where it's hard to get. This helps marginalized communities access online learning, social services, and platforms to share their stories and fight for their rights.

Storytelling as a Catalyst for Change

Storytelling is an amazing way to shed light on tough issues, make abstract problems feel real, and get people to take action together. Personal stories make big challenges feel urgent and relatable, turning dry stats into real-life experiences that hit home with everyone. By sharing these personal journeys, storytelling builds empathy and helps people from different walks of life understand each other better. This emotional connection often kicks off the journey toward understanding and, eventually, standing up for what's right.


Books have always been game-changers for social movements. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin fired up the abolitionist movement by giving readers a clear view of how brutal slavery was, making it impossible to ignore. Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle did the same for labor issues, showing the nasty side of the meatpacking industry and sparking big changes in food safety and workers’ rights. More recently, Malala Yousafzai’s memoir, I Am Malala, has shone a spotlight on the fight for girls’ education, inspiring changes all over the world.

Beyond these big-name books, memoirs, novels, and poetry still shape how people think about social issues. Works like Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and Amanda Gorman’s poetry show the strength of marginalized communities while pushing for justice and equality. Whether it's the heartfelt nature of a memoir or the symbolic punch of fiction, storytelling breaks down barriers, challenges stereotypes, and gets people moving. By touching hearts and minds, stories drive real change, proving that they're not just mirrors of the world but tools to change it.

Literature as a Platform for Advocacy

By spotlighting authors from different backgrounds and stories that don't often get told, literature gives a platform for communities that have been ignored to speak up and change how we talk about things. Books like Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give and Ocean Vuong’s On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous dive deep into issues like racism, identity, and trauma passed down through generations, helping readers understand and care more. Publishers, teachers, and readers play a big part in making this happen. Publishers need to focus on diverse voices and give everyone a fair shot at getting published, while teachers can include a variety of perspectives in what they teach. Readers, on the other hand, have the power to support and push for books that shake things up and celebrate diversity.


When literature teams up with activism, it becomes even more powerful for advocacy. Writers often join forces with social movements and NGOs to spread the word and rally support for important issues. For instance, Naomi Klein’s books on climate change have become key for environmental activism, while Roxane Gay’s feminist essays link up with the fight for gender equality. Storytelling projects and community anthologies also help open up literature, letting people from all backgrounds share their stories. Events like The Moth and anthologies like Black Ink: Literary Legends on the Peril, Power, and Joy of Reading and Writing provide spaces where collective voices can challenge unfairness and build unity.

Challenges and Barriers

Even though literacy and storytelling have the power to spark big changes, they face some pretty tough challenges. Censorship is a big one, with governments and institutions often shutting down literature that questions authority or gives a voice to marginalized groups. Whether it’s banned books in strict regimes or pushback against certain texts in democratic countries, free speech is a hot topic everywhere. These limits don't just silence people—they also cut off access to ideas that get people thinking and pushing for change. On top of that, not everyone has the same access to books and literacy resources, which hits underprivileged communities the hardest. Lots of rural areas and poorer communities don’t have libraries, cheap books, or internet access, which keeps the cycle of illiteracy going.


Bias in storytelling makes it even harder to create fair narratives. Media and literature often push stereotypes, whether it’s about cultures, gender roles, or racial identities. These skewed stories reinforce bad perceptions and add to systemic inequalities. To fight these biases, we need to work on diversifying the voices we hear from, encouraging real representation, and challenging old stereotypes. Publishers, educators, and organizations need to focus on inclusive practices so that stories show the rich diversity of human experiences instead of sticking to outdated or harmful stereotypes.

Steps Toward Harnessing Literacy for Social Change

Using literacy and storytelling to drive social change takes some intentional effort from writers, educators, and advocates. For writers and creatives, it's all about crafting stories that really hit home and inspire people to take action. This means picking themes that tackle social issues, featuring diverse and real characters, and using stories to shake up the status quo. Writers can pull from real-world challenges, work with communities to make sure their stories are spot-on, and use their platforms to boost voices that often go unheard. The aim is to create stories that not only entertain but also get people thinking and motivate them to get involved with important issues.


Educators and advocates have their own crucial part to play by weaving storytelling into their work. By bringing narratives into lessons or campaigns, they can make complex ideas more relatable and build empathy in their audiences. For example, teaching history through personal stories or activism through novels adds a human touch, helping people connect on an emotional and intellectual level. Living in a primarily conservative state, however, can pose additional barriers for educators to include some of these narratives in their lessons. which is why advocacy is so important. Advocacy groups can use storytelling to shine a light on the experiences of those facing social injustices, making a strong case for change.

Pushing for critical literacy is another key move in nurturing informed activism. Critical literacy is more than just reading; it’s about getting people to analyze and question the messages in texts and media. By teaching folks to spot biases, break down stereotypes, and evaluate sources, educators empower communities to thoughtfully engage with the world. This skill is crucial for creating informed activists who can critically look at issues and push for effective solutions. An easy way to incorporate critical literacy into communities is through guided book clubs with specific discussions that will promote deeper thought.


Stories are way more than just entertainment—they're like bridges connecting people, cultures, and causes. They can break down barriers, help us understand each other, and inspire us to take action together. Through stories, we get to know about others' struggles and victories, which can challenge how we see things and make us more empathetic. Whether it's novels that shed light on big issues, memoirs about resilience, or poetry that speaks for the unheard, storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have for change.

As readers and part of this storytelling world, we all play a part in using the power of stories to make a difference. Reading diverse books, supporting underrepresented voices, and backing storytelling projects are things we can do to push for justice and fairness. Look for books that make you think differently, share stories that drive action, and advocate for literacy resources in communities that need them. By doing this, you help create a world where stories not only reflect our experiences but also help build a more inclusive and fair future.

Use the power of stories to make real change. I, personally, will be using my platform to encourage books and authors that have experienced banning in the United States, primarily those within the BIPOC and Queer communities since those stories are banned at much higher rate than their cis/white counterparts, to do my part at preventing their voices from being silenced. Whether you're a writer, teacher, advocate, or reader, our efforts can ensure that storytelling continues to empower, connect, and transform.

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Novel Designs Co. is dedicated to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for people of all cultures, religions, heritages, genders, and sexualities. We promote respect, diversity, and inclusivity, and we do not tolerate discrimination. Your safety and well-being are paramount to us, and we're committed to contributing to a positive and respectful community for all. Thank you for being part of this inclusive journey, and for allowing us to be a part of it with you.

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