The purpose of a story is to describe how people make sense of the events of their lives, experiences, and actions (pg 122). With that being said, the most important rule in most African American households is to not be an example of a negative stereotype that is imposed upon Blacks by Whites. (pg 133) Is this the result of positive or negative actions?
In some cases, one will bring up a story as a result of another story that is being shared. These numerous stories can be shared together for ages, because they now hold a collective meaning. Even if they are not always being told together, those that heard them will be influenced and will go on to use its morals in their daily rountines. Regardless if the story holds negative information, it could still have a positive influence upon its audience.
As a result of her research, Banks-Wallace said, “to understand the stories of African American women it is important to accept the values and experience that contribute to the composition of each story. (pg 132) Most Black women were stereotyped as “Jezebels” or “Mammies,” whereas the men found it necessary to be seen as cool, so when the men became that stereotype it left the women at home to bare both parental responsibilities. The unimportance of a man began to be embedded upon future generations, which is why their stories have gone from those of distress to those of independence.
Banks-Wallace’s findings illustrate that the six functions of stories have not changed over generations. (pg 132) Although this is true, I am inclined to conclude that the emphasis of the functions have changed over time. And those who actually listen to the stories versus contradicting them can learn something.
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