English 101

Lymon 1

Laura Lymon

Prof. Alexandersson

Eng.101- WW1

09 July 2024

Text Wrestling Analysis

"Navigating the Global Digital Humanities: Insights from Black Feminism" by Roopika Risam

Introduction

Black feminism is centered around the difficulties and struggles faced by Black women in society due to not only their race but also their gender. It brings a deep critique of the existing practices and a stance that makes it more progressive. The essence of this essay is to analyze Chapter 29 of "Debates in the Digital Humanities" beyond just a basic concept but also to offer an explanation that is complex enough to provide a critical understanding of the selected chapter and its implications. This essay aims to shed light on the significant relationship between digital humanities and Black feminism by exploring Risam’s arguments and methodologies.

It will explain how this intersection can sophisticate or transform digital projects, breaking prejudices and practicing the inclusion of individuals. Besides, it also discusses how the findings derived from Risam can be extended to other disciplines and can enrich its theoretical foundations as a discipline that studies people's experiences in the digital age. For a critical and reasoned analysis of the chapter, Risam’s thesis is crucial in order to perceive fundamental modalities.

Thesis Statement: The aspects of structural racism and gender discrimination in the digital discipline suggest that Global Digital Humanities should embrace the Black feminist perspective as its system’s inherent nature.

Body

Analysis of Risam's Intersectional Framework

Before analyzing Risam’s accomplishments, it is extremely important to address the matter of her work on intersectionality. The incorporation of Black feminism into the design of Risam ‘s digital humanities is a very useful critical framework that is centered on intersectionality. Intersectionality is a term for the simultaneous occurrence of subordinations such as race, class, and gender, which is a term popularized by Kimberlé Crenshaw (King 356). It is an important concept for understanding and explaining minority status and oppression. Thus, Risam’s work shows the importance of these intersections within digital humanities and how one has to pay attention to such strands to begin to dismantle unequal structures. It is stated, “Intersectionality, she argued, could provide an interpretive lens to account for both" (Risam). Here, she is discussing the need for intersectionality as neither feminism nor anti-racism were adequate enough to fight for the needs of Black women in society based on their gender and race. According to Risam in Chapter 29, digital humanities has popular projects that only include minor current power relations and thus exclude some people. She is also quick to point out that when Black feminism is integrated into a project, such prejudices can be divulged and addressed, hence enabling wholesome projects that do not exclude the input of the black race (Risam). For example, Risam raises awareness of how current digital media artifacts and platform designs for a certain culture do not incorporate others' presence and experiences, which can prove to be significant in modification and making content more relatable to all. Risam’s intersectional framework is applied here to explain not only how it expands the concepts of digital humanities but also to present it as a conceptual tool that ultimately fights for justice and equality when it comes to marginalized groups in society. It promotes the examination of the effects of digital projects and their relation to such societies.

Analysis of the Practical Applications of Black Feminist Theory

Another admirable feature of Risam’s work is how much she applies black feminist theorization to digital humanities. She gives concrete contexts on how such a theory can be adopted in digital projects in the future to enhance the aspect of inclusion and equity for all populations. Several organizations have already embedded inclusion and equity in their workplace (Mullin 311). For example, Risam also focuses on the creation of new digital archives as an important aspect of archiving marginalized histories. She stated, "The choice to build or not is an unaffordable luxury in other digital humanities communities around the world.” (Risam). This statement explains that outside of the United States, the preservation of culture in different regions and encouragement of Black Feminism is unaffordable, which should not be the case. It should be a necessity, not a choice which can be omitted. Thus, these archives challenge the historical master narratives that erase or even distort the historical events of such groups of people. The same is the case for the digital side of mental health awareness for these marginalized groups. They are more prone to developing these conditions; however, no targeted actions are being taken (Wade 12). Risam also analyzes and evaluates the methods and practices that are applied in digital humanities. She emphasizes the use of participatory and community-based approaches and the involvement of the targeted and vulnerable populations (Risam). This method not only empowers the communities to carry out the research but also guarantees that the digital projects that are created represent the voices of the minorities.

Implications for Digital Humanities

Thus, the consequences of Risam’s work go beyond the Digital Humanities and its related projects. With the incorporation of Black feminist theory, Risam provides a blueprint for dealing with the problem of structural oppression in different sectors, including education, technology, and the public sphere. Her work specifically forces us to reconsider how power relations and purposes influence digital projects and their outcomes. Moreover, the political aim that Risam’s intersectional framework outlines is the emancipatory effect on the digital humanities. Thus, the focus on minoritized voices and the methodology of digital humanities can contribute positively to the pinpointing of social justice and equality issues. Together with spreading knowledge and awareness about digital projects, this approach contributes to making the online environment more diverse and equal because inadequate knowledge can make them civically inactive (Sanders 131). Therefore, it can be concluded that “Navigating the Global Digital Humanities: Insights from Black Feminism" by Roopika Risam contributes a valuable and provocative approach to digital humanities. Incorporating elements of the Black feminist theory, Risam addresses the problem of structural racism in academia and offers an approach that recognizes the voices of minorities (Risam). The various aspects of Risam's work have been unpacked and illuminated as a lens that can enhance and revolutionize the appraisal of digital projects and their societal implications. This was done by implementing the principles stated in the framework; better and more adequate digital humanities projects can be designed to embrace and accommodate society's rich and diverse fabric. The discussion of relevant points of the thesis about how black feminist theory could be included in the digital humanities to engage structural injustices proved to be sound. Through the lens of Risam’s intersectional framework, it is clear that her work advances the methodology of digital humanities and offers a critical approach to remedy unfair practices. This approach contributes to the development of equitable practice regarding cyber initiatives and provides insights concerning the Theses’ beneficial or adverse effects on society.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts about the Digital Humanities and Black Feminism

All in all, by analyzing Risam’s work, one can identify its potential to deconstruct the dominant colonial and white-centered digital humanities paradigm. Through incorporating Black feminism and discussing its implications, she encourages multiple critical reconsiderations and engages with readers on how to construct digital projects with the awareness of different minorities’ voices and gender problems. Thus, this approach helps to broaden the definition of what the digital humanities encompass as a field as well as contribute to promoting a more just and diverse digital environment as its implication.

The final thoughts about Roopika Risam's "Navigating the Global Digital Humanities” can be concluded that the concepts of her work are used often in routine life but are little understood. Her concepts work as a lens that performs the functions of criticism and reformation of the structural issues related to the field of digital humanities. The use of her concepts, along with a strong understanding, can help in the development of digital humanities projects that are sensitive and have inclusion and equity.

Risam, Roopika. "Navigating the Global Digital Humanities: Insights from Black Feminism." Debates in the Digital Humanities, edited by Matthew K. Gold and Lauren F. Klein, University of Minnesota Press, 2016, https://dhdebates.gc.cuny.edu/read/untitled/section/4316ff92-bad0-45e8-8f09-90f493c6f564#ch29

Sanders, Cynthia K, and Edward Scanlon. “The Digital Divide Is a Human Rights Issue: Advancing Social Inclusion Through Social Work Advocacy.” Journal of Human Rights and Social Work vol. 6,2 (2021): 130-143. doi:10.1007/s41134-020-00147-9

Wade, Jeannette, et al. “Using Black Feminist Theory and Methods to Uncover Best Practices in Health Promotion Programming.” Qualitative health research vol. 32,3 (2022): 581-594. doi:10.1177/10497323211061108

Lymon 1

Laura Lymon

Prof. Alexandersson

Eng.101- WW1

09 July 2024

Text Wrestling Analysis

"Navigating the Global Digital Humanities: Insights from Black Feminism" by Roopika Risam

Introduction

Black feminism is centered around the difficulties and struggles faced by Black women in society due to not only their race but also their gender. It brings a deep critique of the existing practices and a stance that makes it more progressive. The essence of this essay is to analyze Chapter 29 of "Debates in the Digital Humanities" beyond just a basic concept but also to offer an explanation that is complex enough to provide a critical understanding of the selected chapter and its implications. This essay aims to shed light on the significant relationship between digital humanities and Black feminism by exploring Risam’s arguments and methodologies.

It will explain how this intersection can sophisticate or transform digital projects, breaking prejudices and practicing the inclusion of individuals. Besides, it also discusses how the findings derived from Risam can be extended to other disciplines and can enrich its theoretical foundations as a discipline that studies people's experiences in the digital age. For a critical and reasoned analysis of the chapter, Risam’s thesis is crucial in order to perceive fundamental modalities.

Thesis Statement: The aspects of structural racism and gender discrimination in the digital discipline suggest that Global Digital Humanities should embrace the Black feminist perspective as its system’s inherent nature.

Body

Analysis of Risam's Intersectional Framework

Before analyzing Risam’s accomplishments, it is extremely important to address the matter of her work on intersectionality. The incorporation of Black feminism into the design of Risam ‘s digital humanities is a very useful critical framework that is centered on intersectionality. Intersectionality is a term for the simultaneous occurrence of subordinations such as race, class, and gender, which is a term popularized by Kimberlé Crenshaw (King 356). It is an important concept for understanding and explaining minority status and oppression. Thus, Risam’s work shows the importance of these intersections within digital humanities and how one has to pay attention to such strands to begin to dismantle unequal structures. It is stated, “Intersectionality, she argued, could provide an interpretive lens to account for both" (Risam). Here, she is discussing the need for intersectionality as neither feminism nor anti-racism were adequate enough to fight for the needs of Black women in society based on their gender and race. According to Risam in Chapter 29, digital humanities has popular projects that only include minor current power relations and thus exclude some people. She is also quick to point out that when Black feminism is integrated into a project, such prejudices can be divulged and addressed, hence enabling wholesome projects that do not exclude the input of the black race (Risam). For example, Risam raises awareness of how current digital media artifacts and platform designs for a certain culture do not incorporate others' presence and experiences, which can prove to be significant in modification and making content more relatable to all. Risam’s intersectional framework is applied here to explain not only how it expands the concepts of digital humanities but also to present it as a conceptual tool that ultimately fights for justice and equality when it comes to marginalized groups in society. It promotes the examination of the effects of digital projects and their relation to such societies.

Analysis of the Practical Applications of Black Feminist Theory

Another admirable feature of Risam’s work is how much she applies black feminist theorization to digital humanities. She gives concrete contexts on how such a theory can be adopted in digital projects in the future to enhance the aspect of inclusion and equity for all populations. Several organizations have already embedded inclusion and equity in their workplace (Mullin 311). For example, Risam also focuses on the creation of new digital archives as an important aspect of archiving marginalized histories. She stated, "The choice to build or not is an unaffordable luxury in other digital humanities communities around the world.” (Risam). This statement explains that outside of the United States, the preservation of culture in different regions and encouragement of Black Feminism is unaffordable, which should not be the case. It should be a necessity, not a choice which can be omitted. Thus, these archives challenge the historical master narratives that erase or even distort the historical events of such groups of people. The same is the case for the digital side of mental health awareness for these marginalized groups. They are more prone to developing these conditions; however, no targeted actions are being taken (Wade 12). Risam also analyzes and evaluates the methods and practices that are applied in digital humanities. She emphasizes the use of participatory and community-based approaches and the involvement of the targeted and vulnerable populations (Risam). This method not only empowers the communities to carry out the research but also guarantees that the digital projects that are created represent the voices of the minorities.

Implications for Digital Humanities

Thus, the consequences of Risam’s work go beyond the Digital Humanities and its related projects. With the incorporation of Black feminist theory, Risam provides a blueprint for dealing with the problem of structural oppression in different sectors, including education, technology, and the public sphere. Her work specifically forces us to reconsider how power relations and purposes influence digital projects and their outcomes. Moreover, the political aim that Risam’s intersectional framework outlines is the emancipatory effect on the digital humanities. Thus, the focus on minoritized voices and the methodology of digital humanities can contribute positively to the pinpointing of social justice and equality issues. Together with spreading knowledge and awareness about digital projects, this approach contributes to making the online environment more diverse and equal because inadequate knowledge can make them civically inactive (Sanders 131). Therefore, it can be concluded that “Navigating the Global Digital Humanities: Insights from Black Feminism" by Roopika Risam contributes a valuable and provocative approach to digital humanities. Incorporating elements of the Black feminist theory, Risam addresses the problem of structural racism in academia and offers an approach that recognizes the voices of minorities (Risam). The various aspects of Risam's work have been unpacked and illuminated as a lens that can enhance and revolutionize the appraisal of digital projects and their societal implications. This was done by implementing the principles stated in the framework; better and more adequate digital humanities projects can be designed to embrace and accommodate society's rich and diverse fabric. The discussion of relevant points of the thesis about how black feminist theory could be included in the digital humanities to engage structural injustices proved to be sound. Through the lens of Risam’s intersectional framework, it is clear that her work advances the methodology of digital humanities and offers a critical approach to remedy unfair practices. This approach contributes to the development of equitable practice regarding cyber initiatives and provides insights concerning the Theses’ beneficial or adverse effects on society.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts about the Digital Humanities and Black Feminism

All in all, by analyzing Risam’s work, one can identify its potential to deconstruct the dominant colonial and white-centered digital humanities paradigm. Through incorporating Black feminism and discussing its implications, she encourages multiple critical reconsiderations and engages with readers on how to construct digital projects with the awareness of different minorities’ voices and gender problems. Thus, this approach helps to broaden the definition of what the digital humanities encompass as a field as well as contribute to promoting a more just and diverse digital environment as its implication.

The final thoughts about Roopika Risam's "Navigating the Global Digital Humanities” can be concluded that the concepts of her work are used often in routine life but are little understood. Her concepts work as a lens that performs the functions of criticism and reformation of the structural issues related to the field of digital humanities. The use of her concepts, along with a strong understanding, can help in the development of digital humanities projects that are sensitive and have inclusion and equity.

Risam, Roopika. "Navigating the Global Digital Humanities: Insights from Black Feminism." Debates in the Digital Humanities, edited by Matthew K. Gold and Lauren F. Klein, University of Minnesota Press, 2016, https://dhdebates.gc.cuny.edu/read/untitled/section/4316ff92-bad0-45e8-8f09-90f493c6f564#ch29

Sanders, Cynthia K, and Edward Scanlon. “The Digital Divide Is a Human Rights Issue: Advancing Social Inclusion Through Social Work Advocacy.” Journal of Human Rights and Social Work vol. 6,2 (2021): 130-143. doi:10.1007/s41134-020-00147-9

Wade, Jeannette, et al. “Using Black Feminist Theory and Methods to Uncover Best Practices in Health Promotion Programming.” Qualitative health research vol. 32,3 (2022): 581-594. doi:10.1177/10497323211061108