Chapter 1: The Future is Feminist

The phrase "the future is female" has been a popular slogan. But the pressing question remains: when will this so-called "future" actually arrive? And are we truly prepared for it? Every day I log online, I witness individuals attempting to clarify the basic tenets of racism, sexism, and queerphobia. This consistent struggle leads me to a disheartening conclusion: we are not advancing quickly enough.

The future presents numerous challenges.

Many of us find ourselves caught in the turmoil of oppressive state violence, civil unrest, and political instability. Beyond these immediate concerns, I perceive ominous signs of far more significant issues on the horizon. Despite our efforts to ensure that Black individuals can live without fear, a fundamental demand that remains unaddressed, the complexities of our societal problems are mounting.

We are not progressing swiftly enough.

The Black Lives Matter protests in Memphis last year shed light on the alarming tools now at the disposal of police departments, such as "e-shields" or electronic shock shields. While discussions about the militarization of the police have gained traction, they often overlook a critical point. Much of this equipment is not merely military; it is explicitly designed to reinforce an expanding police state.

In addition to these shields, Compliant Technologies markets gloves capable of delivering electric shocks, shock armbands, and vests that can be activated remotely from considerable distances. These devices are intended for use against prisoners domestically, not in foreign conflicts (although that scenario is equally unacceptable). The increased deployment of the National Guard and armed forces in response to peaceful protests makes the situation even clearer.

Amidst the protests, concerns have emerged regarding the rising use of surveillance techniques by police and governmental bodies. A striking instance involved an activist who was tracked down by the FBI due to a purchase made on Etsy. With our lives increasingly played out online, the lines separating privacy and ethical considerations are rapidly disappearing. As seen in Hong Kong, protestors have resorted to creative methods, such as makeup and lasers, to evade facial recognition technology.

With our lives increasingly played out online, the lines separating privacy and ethical considerations are rapidly disappearing.

However, it’s not just the advanced technology that poses a threat; it's also the data that these technologies collect.

Catherine D’Ignazio and Lauren Klein, authors of "Data Feminism," have emphasized the necessity of reevaluating our perspectives on data and data collection. They argue that these processes are never neutral and are always influenced by vested interests:

"In numerous instances, data-driven 'solutions' are still applied in ways that serve the interests of those in power, whose perspectives differ significantly from those of the communities whose data these systems rely upon… Challenging power necessitates the mobilization of data science to counteract existing inequalities and to strive for more just and equitable futures."

Activist groups such as Data 4 Black Lives exemplify this approach. They highlight troubling practices like predictive policing, where data and technology are utilized to deploy police officers based on predicted crime hotspots—often disproportionately affecting Black neighborhoods.

"Data is frequently wielded as a tool of oppression, perpetuating inequality and injustice… Recent trends like predictive policing, risk-based sentencing, and predatory lending exemplify a troubling pattern. Today, discrimination is a high-tech endeavor."

The pervasive nature of these issues may explain my dwindling patience for basic discussions. I find myself increasingly frustrated with individuals who seek simplified explanations for why they should refrain from touching my hair or dismissing #BlackLivesMatter as a racist slogan. There are far more pressing concerns to address.

Today, discrimination is a high-tech endeavor. So, what actions should we take?

The authors of "Data Feminism" propose seven principles aimed at combating inequities in data science and technology. These principles can be applied to feminist practices and social justice activism to amplify the call for a more equitable society.

1. Examine Power: Data feminism begins with an analysis of how power functions in society.
2. Challenge Power: Data feminism is committed to confronting unequal power structures and advancing justice.
3. Elevate Emotion and Embodiment: Data feminism encourages valuing various forms of knowledge, particularly those rooted in experience.
4. Rethink Binaries and Hierarchies: Data feminism promotes questioning the gender binary and other categorization systems that perpetuate oppression.
5. Embrace Pluralism: Data feminism asserts that comprehensive knowledge arises from integrating diverse perspectives, prioritizing local, Indigenous, and experiential knowledge.
6. Consider Context: Data feminism contends that data is not neutral; it is shaped by unequal social dynamics, making context essential for ethical analysis.
7. Make Labor Visible: The efforts of data science, like all labor, involve many contributors. Data feminism aims to highlight this work so it can be acknowledged and valued.

For those of us dedicated to social justice, it is crucial to integrate considerations of technology and data into our advocacy efforts. As our environment evolves, so must our activism and perspectives.

Because the future is undeniably here.

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