Sixteenth International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities

Abstract

James Dawes argues that at the core of human rights work is storytelling because storytelling is essential to how we come to be who we are. Stories make us aware of the dignity of others by giving us access to their shoes which is essential for the realisation of justice. The literature in the field interrogates the foundational concepts on human rights and literary discourses and how they relate to one another. In seeking to answer the question on how fiction is instrumental in raising awareness about human rights among young adults, I analyse short stories such as Shalini Goodimal’s “Root Gold” and Grace Musila’s “She” for the ways in which they represent rights and the rights bearer. I also create a series of human rights themed short stories as part of my creative response to the question. Excerpts from my stories will also be presented.