Mapping the Nation: Creating the World We Want to See

America’s oldest and largest civil rights organization, the NAACP, uses the power of maps to oppose and prevent systemic inequalities. Maps and geography have played a central role in furthering discriminatory policies and practices that deny some people equal opportunities. Redlining in mortgage lending and redistricting to tilt elections and public school assignments are some examples of map-driven tactics that support unfair treatment. The NAACP Sees Digital Maps as Tools for Modern Civil Rights Action Now, using smart maps and advanced analytics from GIS technology, the NAACP has repositioned itself as a monitor of inequality in an increasingly complex world where the strategies for creating privilege and, conversely, inequity are evolving. A geographic approach has gained importance in the civil rights movement because data-driven maps can help leaders identify and prioritize the most harmed places. “We are embracing this idea that as technology moves, so goes the world,” said Yumeka Rushing, the NAACP’s chief March for Our Lives was a student-led demonstration in support of gun control legislation. It took place in Washington, D.C., on March 24, 2018, with more than 880 affiliated events throughout the US. Image courtesy of NAACP. 40

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