Nonfiction and Social Justice

     

We learn early in grade school that nonfiction means a true story while fiction is made up. But odds are, we have all read a memoir or a historical biography and come to realize that nonfiction really means that our stories are as true and accurate as possible for the author. In essence, it means that nonfiction is deeply concerned with matters of memory and perception as they reconstruct what they view as truth on the pages of a novel.

     After being stunned by Katherine Boo's beautiful first novel, Behind the Beautiful Forevers, a nonfiction narrative about the families in Mumbai, India and the cycle of poverty that prevents upward mobility, I began to think more about the impressive way that our perceptions can impact issues of social justice.
In the novel, Boo explains the intricate ways that the community of Annawadi is woven together. Like many novels of its kind, it comes back to themes of education, poverty, the justice system, and the role of women and children in impoverished families. In this way, Boo’s novel is able to bring a piece of reality that many of us will never understand personally and allows us to get to know pieces of it.

     Take for instance the challenges that have become public in Nigeria with Boko Haram terrorizing the women, children, and families that have been killed or lost loved ones. Unfortunately, we know that events like these are not outliers they are happening everywhere and at great costs. Truths as difficult as this, make me feel hopeless in reconciling the difficult terrors that people are facing and hopeless because I know that it is difficult for me to be a part of a solution that would be helpful for the many that are suffering.  

     However, Katherine Boo’s novel was a reminder to me that while I may not have any control over the events that happen across the globe, through writing and expressing in the most truthful way the events that many Americans may not know about, I can help promote justice. Katherine Boo has become an expert at weaving together the memories and perceptions of many people into one story that becomes a tangible piece for people thousands of miles away from where they occur. So while it is difficult to not feel hopeless about a change that may rectify the pain felt by so many, I will continue to live out my commitment to social justice by sharing people’s stories who may be voiceless with the utmost narrative truth that I can muster.