Our Narrative Through The Lenses of Culture | HILDA DOKUBO | TEDxDiobu

Storytelling & Cultural Identity - The African culture is deeply rooted in storytelling, songs, dances, and chants, serving as a means to pass down traditions to younger generations [1][2][3] - There's a call to prioritize telling authentic African stories, showcasing values, and distinguishing cultural nuances like the difference between a "walk" and a "march" [4] - The industry recognizes a historical bias where "white" is often associated with angelic qualities and "black" with demonic ones, influencing choices even in clothing [5][6] - The speaker expresses frustration with the misrepresentation of African culture and names in scripts, advocating for accurate and respectful portrayals [7] Media & Representation - The industry is urged to reclaim its voice and tell its own stories, moving beyond stereotypical representations [8][15] - Social media is acknowledged as a powerful tool that has transformed how products are marketed and how talent is recognized, presenting an opportunity to share authentic narratives [8][9] - The speaker advocates for using social media to tell African stories, starting immediately by capturing and sharing images and narratives [10] - Storytelling should follow a structure with introduction, build-up, complication, climax, and resolution, while also embracing the collaborative and responsive nature of African storytelling [10][11][12][13][14] Cultural Preservation & Future - The speaker emphasizes the importance of remembering roots and traditions, as exemplified by the desire to evoke memories of home through storytelling [14] - There's a need to showcase the strength, trials, battles, and victories of Africa, moving away from depictions of weakness and poverty [18] - The speaker highlights how elements of African culture have been adopted and celebrated by others (like Hollywood), urging the industry to tell its own stories to the world [17][18]