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Mapping for Racial Equity

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In the US: “Redlining” is shorthand for many types of historic race-based exclusionary tactics in real estate.�
Red neighborhoods were Black neighborhoods and classified as “Bad investments.” �
Redlining reinforced and intensified segregation and racial inequalities in housing and education. (New York Times)�
Check out the Mapping Inequality project!

Maps & Racism

Map of Chicago by the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) Appraisal Department. October 1939 - April 1940. Mapping Inequality

Racial segregation in the US was a government practice and policy upheld through mapping, which you can see with redlining maps. These maps have left huge “footprints” in communities across the country, including disproportionate vulnerability to climate change.

Redlining has come to mean racial discrimination of any kind in housing, but it comes from government maps that outlined areas where Black residents lived and were therefore deemed risky investments. Other communities that were considered “Risky” included immigrant communities and Jewish communities.

Can you think of any other types of maps that have in the past or currently perpetuate discriminatory practices?

Hint: political maps? → gerrymandering
Colonial maps → erasure of indigenous towns/settlements to support colonizer’s claim of it being empty land;

Class Activity: https://dsl.richmond.edu/panorama/redlining/

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What do you think has contributed to the vulnerability of Albany, Georgia’s predominantly Black population to natural disasters? �
In what ways do you think maps can either perpetuate or challenge historical injustices?�
If you were to become a "maptivist" in your community, what issues would you want to address?

Things to Think About

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Time to hear from today’s guest speaker!

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February’s Project: Albany, Georgia

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“Albany, Georgia has been hit three times by extreme weather events in the last three years. This project’s data will be used for recovery, to foster community development efforts, and to boost economic resilience.”

(Neilsberg 2023)

(The Albany Herald)

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Mapping the Task

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Go to tasks.teachosm.org/
Click on “Explore Projects”
Search for Project #: 791

For this project, we will only be mapping buildings.

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Saving Your Edits

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Every 10-15 edits, save your work!

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Saving Your Edits

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Leave a short comment stating what you did. For example: “Added Buildings”

Add hashtags: #TeenMaptivists and your school hashtag

School hashtag format: #TM_SchoolInitials

Check this box to allow someone to review your edits!

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Submitting Your Edits

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Have you mapped every building in the mapping cell? If yes, select ‘Yes.’ If not, select ‘No.’

Leave a short comment describing the edits you made.

Submit your task.

When you’re done mapping, don’t forget to save your edits. Follow the steps below to ensure you are saving properly.

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How to be a Good Mapper: Tips & Tricks

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Let’s Get Mapping!