By 2023, it will not be enough to be an ally to Black communities; One must be a co-conspirator committed to abolitionist policies in technology.
Your organization has the opportunity to take a stand and become a co-conspirator in the fight for Black liberation by centering Black voices in your work and committing to abolitionist policies in technology. However, this requires more than just words; it requires action.
In 2023, we anticipate that your organization will have taken the following steps to become a co-conspirator for Black communities:
1. Centered Black voices in your work
2. Committed to abolitionist policies in technology
3. Acknowledged the role of technology in racism and white supremacy
4. Built partnerships with Black-led organizations dedicated to liberation
The Need to Take Action in 2023: An Introduction
In 2023, it will be insufficient for you to be simply an ally to Black communities. You must become a co-conspirator in order to dismantle the oppressive structures that have been built to disenfranchise us. This will require committing yourself to abolitionist policies in the technology sector.
Technology has always played a role in our oppression. It was used to justify the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, and it has been deployed ever since to monitor, track and control Black people. The time has come for us to take control of our own technology and use it to dismantle the systems that have been created to destroy us.
We need you to join us as we take action in 2023. Are you ready?
What Is a Co-Conspirator in the Abolitionist Movement?
In 2023, it is not enough to be an ally to Black communities. One must be a co-conspirator committed to abolitionist policies in technology. What does this mean?
First, it means understanding the role of technology in upholding white supremacy and the prison industrial complex. Technology is not neutral; it has been designed to maintain systems of oppression. Second, it means being proactive in developing alternatives to these technologies. We cannot wait for someone else to do this work for us. Third, it means being willing to risk everything for justice. This is what it means to be a co-conspirator in the abolitionist movement.
How Can We Become Co-Conspirators in the Abolitionist Movement?
In 2023, it’s not enough to be an ally to Black communities. One must be a co-conspirator committed to abolitionist policies in technology. How can you become a co-conspirator?
Well, by taking action. We need to be vocal and unapologetically committed to dismantling the systems that oppress Black communities. That means being in solidarity with Black people, amplifying the work of Black folks, and holding ourselves and each other accountable.
It also means undoing the ways we’ve been harmed and working to repair the harm that’s been done. Technology has played a role in many of these harms, and it’s time for us to use technology to dismantle those systems. We need your help to make this happen.
The Role of Technology in Taking Action
As a co-conspirator, you know that technology has an immense impact on the ways Black communities are able to access and navigate life’s necessities and opportunities. Beyond being aware of this, it is your responsibility to ensure these technologies are accessible and not disproportionately disadvantaging those who are most vulnerable.
Specifically, this means pushing for technology that augments autonomy, not limits it. This includes advocating for open-source software platforms, developing web applications to simplify civic engagement in low-income communities, and creating resources that allow individuals to freedom and equitably access the internet. Additionally, it includes providing opportunities for individuals from Black communities to excel within STEM fields to help innovate these technologies.
It is through such coalitions between these two vital aspects of social progress—technology and abolitionist policy—that we can work together to help build up our communities. As we move forward into 2023, let’s commit ourselves to ensuring that technological gains are used to leverage fuller protections of our civil rights.
Ways to Support Black Communities Through Technology
You can make a real difference by taking action in the technology sector! Here are some starting points:
– Become a co-conspirator and use your technological skills to help develop products and services that will benefit Black communities, such as those focusing on health disparities or economic mobility.
– Invest in Black entrepreneurs who are working on technologies that will benefit these underserved communities.
– Help work towards making platforms more equitable by finding ways to embed anti-racist strategies into all areas of product design and development, from coding to potential user impacts.
– Get involved in campaigns advocating for regulatory changes in order to improve access to technology for underserved individuals and communities.
– Advocate for better data privacy laws for those individuals who are vulnerable to data exploitation due to their lack of access or understanding of how data is collected and used.
We must do all we can to ensure that Black communities are not left out of the conversations surrounding technology and its impact on our society. By taking action now, we can help create a more equitable world for all.
Resources for Fostering a Co-Conspirator Mindset in Technology
If you want to take this call to action and adopt a co-conspirator mindset, there are lots of resources available to help you. Here are some of the most helpful:
– Tech for Social Justice is a website that provides tools, resources and information about how technology can advance social justice causes.
– The Co-Conspirators Network is an organization that helps people develop a co-conspirator mentality through workshops, roundtables, and other resources.
– Black Tech Ecosystems is a platform devoted to amplifying the voices of Black technologists through news and events.
– The National Organization of Minority Architects helps support minority architects and bring attention to their work in the community.
These organizations and many others like them all offer great ways to support Black communities through technology, as well as understand what it means to be a co-conspirator in 2023.
In order for the world to be a just place for Black people in 2023, it is going to take all of us. Everyone will need to be an ally and commit to abolitionist policies in technology. It will be a challenge, but it is possible. We need your help.
