Narrative Reset Lab

Narratives are the foundation of societal discourse. How we view ourselves and engage with others in writing, speech, or images are embedded in established discourses that we often take for granted. But recent social, racial, and public health reckonings have forced us to question current narratives on issues such as diversity, equity, and inclusion; crime and justice; science and trust; work and workplaces; teaching and learning; mental health; sportsmanship; and even comedy and humor! We can no longer expect others to play along, appreciate, develop thick skins, move on, or accept such narratives even within racial, ethnic, or other affinity groups.

For the 2022-2023 academic year, Narrative Reset examines the history and practice of humor in American culture with an emphasis on the well-being of African Americans. Through a series of discussions led by researchers and practitioners, we will learn about traditions of humor targeted towards African Americans, how African Americans have used humor for mental health and to resist stereotypes, and why we need new ways to express humor in our evolving communities, workplaces, and entertainment venues. Stay tuned for our first event in Fall 2022.

The Lab is based at and funded by CRE².

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