Week 9 Response, Scholarly Article

“In the journey myths I enjoy, you do not find your calling, your calling finds you”, says Joe Lambert, founder of The Center for Digital Storytelling. If ever a person’s soul was expressed in their life work Joe Lambert is that guy. With roots in social justice activism, theatre, and love of story and community Joe’s story starts where most of ours does, with family.

In chapter three of his book Digital Storytelling, Capturing Lives, Creating Community Joe’s point of view is; digital storytelling is rooted fundamentally in the notion of a democratized culture that was the hallmark of the folk music, reclaimed folk culture, and cultural activist traditions of the 1960’s.

Democracy, oligarchy, socialism, and many other descriptors of our present social and political moods and climate, depending upon your perspective, paint a state of imbalance across our country. After reading this chapter one might consider digital storytelling as step toward equilibrium. We are introduced to each other through story.

Joe describes his journey from his experimental theatre, Life On The Water to his life altering friendship with Dana Atchley. Joe had love of story and human dignity at his core and Dana had stories with a touch of videography.

By the 90’s the revolution of desktop computing reaching the frontier of multimedia opened the pathway to where we are now with digital storytelling. Joe describes the deliciousness of the creative practice. I can only imagine the emotion, pride, and wonder those early students in his digital storytelling workshops experienced as they transformed their digital artifacts into story.

From the initial workshops affiliated with the American Film Institute (AFI) to the San Francisco Digital Media Center (SFDMC) and collaborations with UC Berkeley the journey to the present day Center for Digital Storytelling is a story of love, expression, perseverance, creativity, and ending silences.

Joe remembers his parents teaching him that silences are always political. Overcoming silence, overcoming the sense of defeat and disenchantment that comes with oppressions both social and personal is a solemn commitment.

Lastly, I appreciate and identify with what must be an overwhelming joy to teach; how to find your voice and tell your story.

We run on the wonderful feeling that comes over you when you hear someone surprised by his or her own voice.