Lab Notebook #3: The Relationship Between the Digital World and Racism

        Throughout my nineteen years in this world, there have been two pressing subjects present in my life. The first one is the evolution of the digital world. The second is racial injustice. Yet, until this week, I did not realize how much these two interact. In particular, this week’s materials expressed the struggle of how technology is set up in a way to be racists. Although technology and the digital world did not just appear, people are behind the programming and creation of these devices. Yet, it seems that people have programmed these algorithms and other aspects of technology to act this way. Overall this issue appears concerning. Therefore, I propose that technology now where it is found to have this issue is re-programmed in order to be inclusive. It seems as though others have already thought to do so. This concept is furthermore expressed through the words of the author’s of Noble Algorithms Of Oppression, when the author describes, “By making visible the ways that capital, race, and gender are factors in creating unequal conditions, I am bringing light to various forms of technological redlining that are on the rise”(p. 1, Safiya Umoj). Ultimately conveying that others are aware of this issue, and they are trying to find a way to change the root of the problem. However, people themselves can not fix the whole situation by themselves. There needs to be assistance from government and technology companies. I believe the government needs to assist in funding this operation. This issue affects many of these countries but the world, therefore providing the funds to fix this problem seems necessary. It seems almost wrong if the government did not have a say or help in the matter. Because much like how Ruha Benjamin coined this era “The New Jim Code ” when interviewed by the Vox Team, the government should not want this to continue. In further examining this, technologies should also want to lend a helping hand. Since these issues start within their companies, they should want to help due to publicity and doing what is best morally. In doing what is best, their companies would not suffer the consequences of being outed to the public, and then in changing it, their ratings as a company will likely go up. Sadly, before the government and major technology companies want to help, it has to become an issue. It has to be visibly shown by consumers and the general public that this is a problem that needs help. With that being said, art and popular culture could serve a purpose in this area. Currently, trends seem to be catching the eyes of many. If there were to be some post like in the video Are We Automating Racism? by the Vox Team, they experimented on Twitter. However, this viral experiment would be artistic and able for others to conduct on their accounts. Overall, it would be easier for the general public to see the issue firsthand and give them a personal motive to help this cause. Hopefully, if this process were to succeed, it could raise awareness of this digital injustice. Furthermore, allowing our world to continue to grow in the right direction.

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