--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Just recognizing and naming that many of…" description: "\"Just recognizing and naming that many of the things we treat as historical fact are stories can help erode their power over our sense of identity and t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04b/annie-leonard-22395_aspire_just-recognizing-and-naming-that-many-of_3129794.jpg" --- # Just recognizing and naming that many of the things we… ![“Just recognizing and naming that many of the things we treat as historical fact are stories can help erode their power over our sense of identity and thinking. If they are stories rather than "truth," we can write new stories that better represent the country we aspire to be. Our new stories can…” quote by Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04b/annie-leonard-22395_aspire_just-recognizing-and-naming-that-many-of_3129794.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04b/annie-leonard-22395_aspire_just-recognizing-and-naming-that-many-of_3129794.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04b/annie-leonard-22395_aspire_just-recognizing-and-naming-that-many-of_3129794.jpg) > “Just recognizing and naming that many of the things we treat as historical fact are stories can help erode their power over our sense of identity and thinking. If they are stories rather than "truth," we can write new stories that better represent the country we aspire to be. Our new stories can be about diverse people working together to overcome challenges and make life better for all, about figuring out how to live sustainably on this one planet we share, and on deep respect for cooperation, fairness, and equity instead of promoting hyper-competitive individualism.” [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Identifying historical facts as narratives weakens their grip, allowing creation of inclusive stories that promote cooperation and sustainability. **In simple terms:** Seeing facts as stories lets us rewrite them for a better future. Key Takeaway Question and reshape dominant narratives. Themes identity storytelling social change sustainability equity Mood thoughtful inspirational Type activist visionary When to use this quote - policy making - education reform - community organizing - media production Key Concepts narrative theory collective memory social constructionism Questions to Reflect On - What stories dominate current national identity? - How can new narratives be effectively shared? A Different Perspective Changing stories can face resistance from entrenched interests. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Challenges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenges/) [Cooperation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cooperation/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Equity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equity/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Fairness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fairness/) [Historical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historical/) [Historical facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historical-facts/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Individualism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individualism/) [Overcome Challenges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overcome-challenges/) [Overcoming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overcoming/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Working together](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working-together/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [We made a commitment to making diverse stories with diverse characters brought to life by diverse artists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-knight/we-made-a-commitment-to-making-diverse-stories-with-diverse/) [Travis Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-knight/) > [In television, we are fortunate because we get to try a lot of things; we get to take a lot of shots. It gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/channing-dungey/in-television-we-are-fortunate-because-we-get-to-try-a-lot-of-things/) [Channing Dungey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/channing-dungey/) > [Art often reflects what's going on in the world, and we're seeing stories that are very diverse and that are lead and made by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-moss/art-often-reflects-what-s-going-on-in-the-world-and-we-re-seeing/) [Elisabeth Moss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-moss/) > [Theatre is a bit behind - the stories are becoming more diverse as a younger generation of creators enters that world, but it's still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myha-la/theatre-is-a-bit-behind-the-stories-are-becoming-more-diverse-as-a/) [Myha'la](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myha-la/) > [If I'm not playing basketball, I'm reading or thinking of stories I can create.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lopez/if-i-m-not-playing-basketball-i-m-reading-or-thinking-of-stories-i/) [Robin Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lopez/) > [I like to tell kids that I started thinking about stories when I first started reading stuff like Dr. Seuss and 'Go, Dog. Go!,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-scieszka/i-like-to-tell-kids-that-i-started-thinking-about-stories-when-i/) [Jon Scieszka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-scieszka/) > [The creative process; I enjoy thinking up the stories and situations for my books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-blume/the-creative-process-i-enjoy-thinking-up-the-stories-and-situations/) [Judy Blume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-blume/) > [Sometimes the way comes later, when I'm not working or thinking about it at all. When stories don't work, you try to convince yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-j-miller/sometimes-the-way-comes-later-when-i-m-not-working-or-thinking-about/) [Mary J. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-j-miller/) > [I started writing, or rather, thinking, stories as a child, and at that time the reason was very clear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-started-writing-or-rather-thinking-stories-as-a-child-and-at-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My process is thinking, thinking and thinking - thinking about my stories for a long time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hayao-miyazaki/my-process-is-thinking-thinking-and-thinking-thinking-about-my/) [Hayao Miyazaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hayao-miyazaki/) > [We should have stories in common, I found myself thinking. We should have stories, and jokes no one understands, and memories that we know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamila-shamsie/we-should-have-stories-in-common-i-found-myself-thinking-we-should/) [Kamila Shamsie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamila-shamsie/) > [I am never not thinking about stories. 'The Bone Season' is 90% of my brain - 10% is interacting with the rest of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-shannon/i-am-never-not-thinking-about-stories-the-bone-season-is-90-of-my/) [Samantha Shannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-shannon/) > [I spend a lot of time thinking of stories and reading and that's where my creativity comes from.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mukul-dev/i-spend-a-lot-of-time-thinking-of-stories-and-reading-and-that-s/) [Mukul Dev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mukul-dev/) > [As I get older I find myself thinking about stories more and more before I work so that by the time I eventually sit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/as-i-get-older-i-find-myself-thinking-about-stories-more-and-more/) [Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ware/) > [I often stumble upon new stories when I am wandering on the roads in search of information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravish-kumar/i-often-stumble-upon-new-stories-when-i-am-wandering-on-the-roads-in/) [Ravish Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravish-kumar/) ## More by Annie Leonard > [There is no such thing as away. When you throw something away, it must go somewhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/there-is-no-such-thing-as-away-when-you-throw-something-away-it-must/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [We're more concerned about climate or economic equality or racial justice or anything else that is good for people and the planet, we simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/we-re-more-concerned-about-climate-or-economic-equality-or-racial/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [We've got to rescue our democracy by using it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/we-ve-got-to-rescue-our-democracy-by-using-it/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [Put simply, if we do not redirect our extraction and production systems and change the way we distribute, consume, and dispose of our stuff…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/put-simply-if-we-do-not-redirect-our-extraction-and-production/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [It's crucial we know the facts and science, but it's naïve to rely on them alone to build a movement for change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/it-s-crucial-we-know-the-facts-and-science-but-it-s-na-ve-to-rely-on/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [Between the disillusionment that people feel about politics-as-usual, assaults on the right to vote, and the constant feelings of pressure that Americans suffer in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/between-the-disillusionment-that-people-feel-about-politics-as-usual/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [“Why sit and stare at a box beaming messages indoctrinating us into consumer culture for hours a day when there are so many more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/why-sit-and-stare-at-a-box-beaming-messages-indoctrinating-us-into/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [For decades, I thought that scientific truth, solid economic case studies, and common sense were enough to bring about change on the environmental front.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/for-decades-i-thought-that-scientific-truth-solid-economic-case/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [Solid information is necessary, but insufficient. We also need to present that information in ways that are inspiring and accessible. That's where stories come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/solid-information-is-necessary-but-insufficient-we-also-need-to/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [Right now, American government has stepped back from offering any kinds of protection for human rights and public health. And the fossil fuel industry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/right-now-american-government-has-stepped-back-from-offering-any/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [We depend on this planet to eat, drink, breathe, and live. Figuring out how to keep our life support system running needs to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/we-depend-on-this-planet-to-eat-drink-breathe-and-live-figuring-out/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [You cannot run a linear system on a finite planet indefinitely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/you-cannot-run-a-linear-system-on-a-finite-planet-indefinitely/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [Turns out, people's brains are not nearly as powerful a motivator as our hearts. Facts, data, and economic models don't move people to courageous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/turns-out-people-s-brains-are-not-nearly-as-powerful-a-motivator-as/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [Recycling is what we do when we're out of options to avoid, repair, or reuse the product first. Firstly: Reduce. Don't buy what we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/recycling-is-what-we-do-when-we-re-out-of-options-to-avoid-repair-or/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [“I remember when my daughter was just learning her letters. She was playing in her room and came downstairs to ask me, “Momma, what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/i-remember-when-my-daughter-was-just-learning-her-letters-she-was/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) [Explore all 27 Annie Leonard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) ## More Aspire quotes > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [“No one has any right to tell you that the way you perceive yourself is wrong. Because by doing so, they also discourage the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/no-one-has-any-right-to-tell-you-that-the-way-you-perceive-yourself/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [I love it when television is shot in a cinematic way and I think to aspire to that is no bad thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-rhys/i-love-it-when-television-is-shot-in-a-cinematic-way-and-i-think-to/) [Matthew Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-rhys/) > [At the end of the day, everyone knows what it is to be loved and to aspire to love someone, to want to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-oyelowo/at-the-end-of-the-day-everyone-knows-what-it-is-to-be-loved-and-to/) [David Oyelowo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-oyelowo/) > [I didn't aspire to be a good sport; 'champion' was good enough for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-perry/i-didn-t-aspire-to-be-a-good-sport-champion-was-good-enough-for-me/) [Fred Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-perry/) > [We should all aspire in life to do a multitude of things well - to be a great father, to be a good husband,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-modine/we-should-all-aspire-in-life-to-do-a-multitude-of-things-well-to-be-a/) [Matthew Modine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-modine/) > [We try, we fail, we posture, we aspire, we pontificate - and then we age, shrink, die, and vanish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/we-try-we-fail-we-posture-we-aspire-we-pontificate-and-then-we-age/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [I aspire my country eventually has a league where all players play 50 games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-chhetri/i-aspire-my-country-eventually-has-a-league-where-all-players-play-50/) [Sunil Chhetri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-chhetri/) > [I'm exceptional in everything that I do and I aspire to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omarosa-manigault-newman/i-m-exceptional-in-everything-that-i-do-and-i-aspire-to-do/) [Omarosa Manigault Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omarosa-manigault-newman/) > [One of the reasons you study at great institutions or aspire to work in great corporations is that you hope to acquire the values…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harsha-bhogle/one-of-the-reasons-you-study-at-great-institutions-or-aspire-to-work/) [Harsha Bhogle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harsha-bhogle/) > [So if you aspire to be a good conversationali st, be an attentive listener. To be interesting, be interested. Ask questions that other persons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/so-if-you-aspire-to-be-a-good-conversationali-st-be-an-attentive/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [... the majority of colored men do not yet think it worth while that women aspire to higher education… The three R's, a littlemusic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-julia-cooper/the-majority-of-colored-men-do-not-yet-think-it-worth-while-that/) [Anna Julia Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-julia-cooper/) > [For me, there has always been a disconnect with the sort of elitist structure of the high-art world - and my distaste for that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shepard-fairey/for-me-there-has-always-been-a-disconnect-with-the-sort-of-elitist/) [Shepard Fairey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shepard-fairey/) > [There is not a right too long denied to which we do not aspire in order to achieve; there is not a wrong too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-gompers/there-is-not-a-right-too-long-denied-to-which-we-do-not-aspire-in/) [Samuel Gompers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-gompers/) Browse all 650 Aspire quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Just recognizing and naming that many of the things we treat as historical fact are stories can help erode their power over our sense of identity and thinking. 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