The formal inauguration of the University’s ninth President James E. Ryan welcomes a weekend of celebration as a new chapter of the University’s history begins. One of these events in particular — “Double Take: Stories That Make You Think Twice” — calls on community members to tell stories of their own history, cultivating a space where the diversity of identities and experiences makes the core of the University stronger.
“In stories, I think you come to understand and appreciate differences but, perhaps even more importantly, you come to recognize points of connection,” Ryan said in an email statement to The Cavalier Daily.
Although only 10 stories will be told at the event, Ryan hopes that the effect these stories have on the listener will change their perspective on stories they encounter in the future. Ryan said the committee would be choosing from about 100 submissions.
“In fact, one of the benefits of hearing just a few stories is that you realize everyone has a story, and hopefully an event like this sparks curiosity to hear more,” Ryan said.
For this event, Ryan enlisted the help of StoryStream — a story listening project. Partnering with the Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative, StoryStream offers the community a safe space to tell their personal stories. Temporarily set up in front of the Whispering Wall, StoryStream’s vintage airstream trailer welcomed students to participate in submissions of their own. By Monday, approximately 75 responses were submitted at the trailer. Matt Weber, Assistant to the President, collected more stories at his office.
Third-year College student Vilas Annavarapu was one of about 20 volunteers for the StoryStream trailer. As a volunteer, he facilitated the trailer last week, encouraging passing students to stop in and share their stories. Annavarapu’s interest in breaking down societal monoliths was one of the main reasons he got involved with StoryStream. The simple concept of “Double Take” — getting to know others in an effort to understand them better — is something that Annavarapu stands behind.
“It’s really, really basic but I think it does wonders for our ability to humanize people and be more empathetic towards them,” Annavarapu said. “It is really critical to understand that there is a lot more than what meets the eye, and that stuff is what shapes people’s experience, shapes people’s understanding and shapes people’s ability to navigate certain spaces that they’re in.”
The unique physicality of the vintage airstream trailer was a step back in time, eliciting feelings of reminiscence and nostalgia — emotions one might feel when they share their own story. Annavarapu sees this space as a reflection on the essence of the project.
“The idea that physical space is really significant for where stories are told is something that’s always been a particular interest to me,” Annavarapu said. “It’s more than just, ‘Hey! Tell me a little bit about yourself,’ it’s like we have brought this thing because we care about what stories you want to tell.”
Annavarapu said he has been shocked at the participants’ openness. The process of telling one’s story requires a degree of vulnerability — one that breaks down barriers and lets others in. When facilitated through StoryStream however, this willingness becomes a shared experience between participants and fosters the foundation of strong relationships.
Third-year College student Devin Willis retold a story of his own inside the trailer, reflecting on a time when a dreaded community service requirement ended up being an enjoyable experience. Willis was open to sharing his story, as he recognized the ability to do so meant potentially reaching Ryan and informing how he approaches changes to the University.
Willis spoke about the benefit of students sharing their stories.
“It’s two-fold,” Willis said. “Obviously, there’s a lot of utility in it for other people, but especially the fact that when you have to tell your own story, you have to think about what things actually matter to you and what things stand out.”
After recording his story, Willis was able to see the value in the process of recounting the event and then retelling it aloud.
“It did change my perception of it,” Willis said. “Having a good time judging a Charlottesville debate league tournament was a highlight [of the semester], and I didn’t even realize that that was a highlight until recently. Until just now.”
This event highlights more than just the telling of a story — it also emphasizes the importance of being a listener.
“Telling a story allows you to share and express something about yourself to an audience, which is an act of faith and trust in the community, while listening creates empathy and helps build a stronger connection,” Ryan said. “I think good listeners also silence their cellphones!”
The stories submitted through StoryStream, as well as those submitted online and in person at Madison Hall, will be reviewed by a student-led committee of community members. The committee will be listening for eight individual stories that focus on Ryan’s theme of bridge building. Once chosen, the storyteller will be invited to share their story at the live event.
Ryan and Dr. Vivian Pinn will be alongside the participants chosen, sharing their stories as well. Pinn is a physician and advocate for women’s health issues and concerns who graduated from the University’s School of Medicine in 1967 as the only woman and the only African-American in her class.
Ryan does not want to give too much away but gave a hint as to what story he will tell.
“I’m planning to tell a story about meeting my biological mother for the first time at a rest stop on the Garden State Parkway,” Ryan said.
The University stopped accepting digital submissions Monday. The final public sharing of these stories, Double Take: Stories that Make You Think Twice, is scheduled to take place in Old Cabell Hall on Oct. 20 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The event will be free and open to the public.
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