In this reading, Poletta talks about the function stories and narratives have in promoting social action and change. It talks about how stories persuade, constrain, and what they are good for. One of the main focuses of the article is how viewers connect their own personal stories, as well as stories that they have already heard and experienced, to the stories they are hearing. This is both good and bad, it allows people who were not originally invested in a given topic to relate to it and possibly be motivated, but it is also risky. The risk lies in the fact that when an audience hears a story, it is up to them to interpret it and determine its validity. This happens based on the setting, topic and speaker of the story.
In "Orange is the New Black", Season 1: Episode 3, we are given some backstory into the life of the transgender prisoner at Litchfield. Throughout the episode, the reactions people have to her being transgender both in and out of prison are depicted through interactions both with and about her. It shows a range of tolerance, ranging from her wife, supporting her through her transition, to fellow inmates and guards making derogatory comments to her on a regular basis. There are also comments that refer to the general feeling people have about being gay, specifically about lesbians in this setting.
The show seems to be making a statement about how people view both transgender and lesbian individuals. By showing the background and personal story of a transgender person, the show seems to be using that narrative in order to provoke some sort of awareness in viewers.
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