I read the article Digital Redlining, Access, and Privacy by Chris Gilliard. I thought that in my response I should add an image that reflects the origination of the term redlining especially since it happened so close to home. Before reading this article I had no idea that redlining was a problem that was faced in the physical world and now the digital one. Redlining the marginalized communities only lead to huge gaps in finance between the white population and the African American population. By denying these poor communities mortgages the government ensured that they could not escape from poverty. The marginalized are trapped in poverty and become more likely to go to jail, have a drug addiction and commit suicide all because the rich want to stay rich. Today the majority of the black community are still living in poverty and the average prison statistically more full of the marginalized communities. Now the same thing is happening digitally, only this time instead of denying mortgage they are denying students educational sources based on institutions wealth. The institutions that are more wealthy and well known for their research programs and education are granted more resources. The community colleges and smaller universities are granted less. They could not afford to go the to higher level schools so they do not get to have a well rounded and whole education; that seems unfair. How is anyone supposed to break the bonds of poverty if their education is hindered because of their financial situation.
Before I read this article I had no idea that redlining was even an issue. I have since tried to find articles for my philosophy paper and was having a hard time. My cousin who went to Laurier said that he never had problems finding articles there. I had no idea that institutions have different access to sources!! I also watched the digital classroom recording with Chris It hit me when he said that at his institution he could not read the article that he published. WOW! I can’t even believe that anything like this could happen. I had a little bit of experience with this in the classroom. I did some small scale reactions of the Alkali Metals due to the reactiveness of these elements I could not do a larder scale reaction. After I gained the attention of the class with the reactions I wanted to show a video of a larger scale reaction of these metals. I had my video selected but it would not let me play it in the school. The students were denied that learning experience because of the schools access. This is unacceptable, it is time to take the red tape down! This is a money making scheme that we need to put to rest for the sake of greater education. We need to stop extinguishing students curiosity with a big red blocked sign!
I responded to this article with a sketch note of the images that came into my head as I read the article on this topic. First of all there is a red line spiting the page in half. The right half of the page are those who benefit from redlining that is why this side is depicted in colour to indicate their privilege. The left side of the drawing is enclosed by the red line and in poverty, they are depicted in black and white to indicate that something is missing. At the top I have two very different locations; a large city and poorer homes. This explains the origins of the word redlining which is to keep the poor and marginalized poor by not allowing them to have a mortgage. The next image is of a man standing on the edge of a cliff, with a rainbow bridge that is blocked by the red line. To me this image represents the steps towards a solution that must be taken. The red line must come down so the people living in poverty can share the benefits of their neighbours both physically and digitally. The last images are of two people on computers, the one on the right goes to a top university and has access to all the resources she needs. The one on the left has no connection and in his search finds a blocked page. This guy represents those who’s education is hindered by the redlining of our society.
Below is my sketch note. Hope you enjoy!
