The TED Interview Elif Shafak on the urgent power of storytelling
Oct 23, 2019
Elif Shafak, a celebrated novelist and political analyst, explores the profound political power of storytelling. She discusses how narratives shape identity and bridge societal divides, emphasizing empathy towards marginalized communities. Shafak argues for embracing complexity in multicultural identities and the need for emotional intelligence in leadership. She shares her personal journey of coming out, highlighting the importance of spirituality over rigid dogma. The conversation is a call for deeper connections and a celebration of diverse perspectives.
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Raised Between Two Women
- Elif Shafak describes being raised by her mother and grandmother after her parents split, which shaped her love of both oral and written culture.
- Her grandmother's decision to support her mother's education had multigenerational impact on their family's opportunities.
Stories Build Empathy
- Storytelling restores individuality and fosters empathy by letting readers live inside others' lives.
- Novels counter collectivist, authoritarian narratives that require erasing individuality.
History Has Many Angles
- History is not singular; the same events look very different depending on who tells them.
- Asking micro-questions about marginalised individuals reveals erased perspectives and fractures certainties.
