"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die"(Reiner, 1987)
I believe the power of education can be used to solve social and economic problems. I am a Sociology graduate student at ASU and work in partnership with the National Education Equity Lab as a Teaching Associate. In this role, I create and facilitate lessons to disseminate Sociology 101 curriculum to students who come from predominantly low-SES oppressed backgrounds and attend Title-1 high schools. Every week I wrestle with teaching my students about the lessons learned in Sociology about creating a just and equitable society and yet I am constrained by a system that perpetuates oppression.
Storytelling is my sword, foraging understanding of human interactions, trauma responses, and resilience’s power.
In response to these perceived constraints, I have decided to embark on a journey interviewing social scientists and fellow justice warriors. My interviews reveal ways in which oppression is perpetuated by the very institutions that claim to break down barriers and provide access to education and hope for all. Right now, my life feels like the looping GIF of Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride where he repeats a phrase he has waited for a decade to say "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die"(Reiner, 1987). I feel his passion from Inigo when he fights the six-fingered man to honor and avenge his late father. He begins his battle from a guaranteed losing position, one arm bleeding out sword fighting against the cunning six-fingered man (Reiner, 1987). Like Inigo, I am exhausted. I want to change the world. I want liberty and justice for all. It feels impossible. I have never been hopeless before. I am someone who always follows through on my dreams and commitments. The transcripts from the following interviews capture stories of trauma, transformation, and growth.
Like Inigo, I am exhausted. I want to change the world. I want liberty and justice for all.
Storytelling is my stepping stone to social change. I often say that people and their stories need to be documented, shared, and analyzed to find the truth behind being human(Estes, 2022). However, the truth can hurt. I hope to continue to study the current literature, collect dynamic stories from the field, and contribute to the collective knowledge of our future. Storytelling is my sword, foraging understanding of human interactions, trauma responses, and resilience’s power. This project reminded me why I study human connection as a Sociologist. The interviews increased my sense of connection with the greater human community. Follow along on my journey to read stories of triumph over tragedy through a series of ethnographic and expository blog posts.
Hello, my name is Caroline Estes-- human rights are at risk--I am prepared to Rise. Rise up against violent attacks on human dignity. Rise up against oppression.
My name is not Inigo Montoya and I will never use violence to make social change or lead a social movement. I will never seek revenge or take en eye-for-an eye. I am a student of the American Civil Rights Movement lead by the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and I support and engage in acts of civil disobedience, peaceful protest, and non-violent protest. Through a series of investigations supported by peer reviewed research and lived experiences of modern day activists I share my stories-- OUR stories. Sticks and stone may break our bones, but words can rise above.
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