Unraveling the Phenomenon of Viral Justice | MIT News
Introduction:
In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, the term “viral” has taken on a negative connotation. However, according to scholar Ruha Benjamin, justice can also spread like a virus. In her acclaimed book, “Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want,” Benjamin explores the social dimensions of science, medicine, and technology. She believes that small actions and decisions can have exponential effects in promoting justice. Benjamin encourages individuals to be aware of exclusionary practices in everyday life, such as discriminatory design. She also highlights the importance of addressing biases in technology and creating alternative systems. Through her work, Benjamin aims to empower marginalized communities and redefine the digital ecosystem.
Full Article: Unraveling the Phenomenon of Viral Justice | MIT News
Title: Building a Contagious Future of Justice: Insights from Scholar Ruha Benjamin
Introduction:
In a world profoundly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the term “viral” takes on a new connotation. Professor Ruha Benjamin, an esteemed scholar exploring the social dynamics of science, medicine, and technology, suggests that justice can also be contagious. During her visit to MIT Libraries, Benjamin shared key insights from her acclaimed book, “Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want,” emphasizing the transformative power of small actions and systemic changes needed for a more just society.
The Unseen Impact of Small Actions:
Acknowledging the hidden dangers presented by the pandemic, Benjamin draws attention to the fact that seemingly insignificant actions can have devastating consequences. This realization compels us to wonder whether small acts, decisions, or habits can also create exponential effects, ultimately tipping the scales towards justice.
Inclusive Design and Exclusion:
To fulfill a vision of a more equitable world, Benjamin motivates library staff to recognize the ways in which exclusion is embedded in our daily lives. She offers tangible examples, such as park benches seemingly designed for comfort, but on closer inspection, they prevent individuals from lying down or sleeping. Benjamin goes to extremes by highlighting an art installation called “Pay and Sit,” a bench armed with sharp spikes that deploy if the user fails to pay. This art piece serves as a powerful metaphor for discriminatory design and exclusionary practices.
The Impact of Technology:
Addressing the broader impact of technology on justice, Benjamin urges us to scrutinize the hidden biases and inequalities. For instance, she highlights concerns related to biased facial recognition algorithms, racial data used in student success prediction software, and algorithmic bias in healthcare. By coining the term “the New Jim Code,” Benjamin highlights the intersection of coded bias and our tendency to ascribe objectivity to technology.
Library’s Commitment to Equity:
MIT Libraries’ Director, Chris Bourg, emphasizes the organization’s dedication to combating inequities by democratizing data access and fostering inclusivity in scholarship. Their mission involves dismantling the hidden barriers and biases within systems that govern how we create, use, and share knowledge.
Creating Alternatives and Demanding Change:
While it is crucial to identify and call out biases embedded in our digital world, Benjamin encourages us to also proactively create alternatives. She highlights the power of collective action and cites the Data for Black Lives movement and the Detroit Community Technology Project as successful initiatives. Benjamin is particularly interested in how everyday people are reshaping the digital landscape by demanding new rights, responsibilities, and protections.
The Ida B. Wells Just Data Lab:
In 2020, Benjamin founded the Ida B. Wells Just Data Lab, which aims to bring together students, educators, activists, and artists to develop critical and creative approaches to data collection, production, and sharing. The lab’s projects focus on exposing and tackling issues of racial inequality, such as the impact of Covid-19 on student learning, resources for addressing Black mourning and mental health, and a playbook for Black maternal mental health. Benjamin sees these student-led initiatives as the catalyst for reimagining technology to meet the needs of marginalized communities.
Weaving New Patterns, Practices, and Politics:
Benjamin concludes by highlighting the ever-present nature of inequality within society. However, she views these obstacles as opportunities to create new patterns, practices, and politics. By daring to confront and challenge these vast problems, she believes that their undoing is within our reach.
Conclusion:
Ruha Benjamin’s thought-provoking visit to MIT Libraries shed light on the contagious nature of justice and the urgent need to identify hidden biases within our society. By acknowledging the impact of seemingly small actions, advocating for inclusive design, critically examining technology, and actively working towards alternatives, we can create a more just and equitable future. Through initiatives like the Ida B. Wells Just Data Lab and collective efforts, the next generation holds the key to weaving new patterns that dismantle systemic inequalities.
Summary: Unraveling the Phenomenon of Viral Justice | MIT News
In her book “Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want,” scholar Ruha Benjamin explores the concept of justice as something that can spread contagiously. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing the ways exclusion is built into our daily lives, such as discriminatory design in park benches. Benjamin also highlights the dangers of bias in technology, referring to it as the “New Jim Code.” However, she believes that individuals have the power to create alternatives and reshape the digital ecosystem. Benjamin’s Ida B. Wells Just Data Lab aims to develop a critical and creative approach to data that addresses racial inequality. By tackling these issues, we can weave new patterns and practices that promote justice.
