African American Studies Commons^™

Through The Looking-Glass: Conceptualizing Narratives Of Race As Mimetic Non-Narratives, Cody Chun

Race and Pedagogy Journal: Teaching and Learning for Justice

I frame a discussion of narrative based on its position between mimetic and diegetic poles. I argue that narratives of race are mimetic non-narratives in the sense that they attempt to narrate (false) realities of race and racial difference without acknowledging their narrativity. I examine various narratives of race and the ways in which they perpetuate ideas of race and racial difference. I end by looking at the relationship between narrative and reality and by suggesting that, given their ability to narrate meaningful realities, mimetic non-narratives can narrate a “reality” more reflective of the unreality of race and racial inequality.