Graphic novels to break down cultural historical barriers. This is using a medium, not just a story, to build a bridge.

A two-page illustration in front of the chapter “Of the Dawn of Freedom” provides a stark introduction to DuBois’ examination of Reconstruction, when post-Civil War hopes for actual black freedom lived briefly before being brutally dashed. A black man holding the sign “CONTRABAND” is being marched along, flanked by someone marked as Warden and another scowling man marked as Massa. Above the action, two white hands separate the panel, searing apart silhouettes of black figures looking and reaching into the future.

Source: The Visual Storytelling of Black Life in America | PopMatters

The comment below on director Joss Whedon’s pro-Planned Parenthood video by a writer at The Institute of Religion and Publishing’s First Things site illustrates the challenge of conflicting narratives.

The writer, reacting to a storyline in which Planned Parenthood provides contraception that prevents a pregnancy is unbelievable, even though it is the primary service the organization offers. She forces the counter-narrative, that Planned Parenthood is irretrievably bad, into her critique of the campaign.

In the story Whedon tells, abortion and contraception are a choice for a woman and her doctor. And only those two people. It’s a harder world to believe in than any of the fantastical ones he’s created.

Source: The Limits of Planned Parenthood’s Storytelling | Leah Libresco Sargeant | First Things

David Sable, Global CEO of Y&R on the Cannes Lion Festival this year, where he saw storytelling eclipsing technology as the centerpiece of engagement. For example, the ad industry is finally getting past the broadcast lengths as the standard for marketing storytelling:

Discussing the impact that social platforms have had on the process, he points out that message length—be it 15, 30 or 60 seconds—is irrelevant. That’s part of the traditional network television construct in which advertisers paid for a certain amount of time. “The beauty is you don’t have to pay for the time in the same way that we did,” Sable says. “Do what you will.”