Recently at a Greenlink work retreat, we were challenged with a thought provoking question: How do the historical and systemic examples of racism presented in Kimberlé Crenshaw’s TED Talk on the urgency of intersectionality and primer on structural racism (amongst others) relate to your role at work? This question led me to reflect on the power of data, data updates, and data gaps, and whose stories are left untold - and whether this is changing?
As we dive into September, our Greenlink Equity Map (GEM) is undergoing a significant data refresh. This update has been more complex than expected due to geography changes in the 2020 data. In fact, the new data looked so different from the 2019 version that our team questioned whether we were using the correct update. Thankfully, our data scientists confirmed we were on track. Nonetheless, this situation sparked a deeper curiosity about the stories behind the data.
One important aspect of data collection from census tracts is that it relies on self reporting. This process can lead to large gaps in the data. Language barriers, mistrust, and lack of understanding about how the information will be used can all prevent people from participating. Also, the binary nature of census data - where people have to choose one answer or another when neither or both may apply - fails to capture the complexity of intersectional identities across the U.S.
Our goal is to help bridge these gaps. We use data to understand community needs, direct resources, and guide governments and organizations in their outreach efforts. For example, how many cities have deep relationships with their local Tribal communities? Are they aware of the needs of Asian, Black, Chicano/Latinx communities, or those living in unincorporated regions? How well do they understand historical redlines or track who bears the brunt of the city’s pollution?
When data gaps exist, stories remain untold. That’s why it’s essential to continually update and refine our methods— whether by refreshing existing data sets or creating new ones in collaboration with communities. A promising example is the new data set launched by the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition.
The data focuses on boarding schools that forced Native American children to assimilate, many of whom suffered tragic fates continuing to affect their communities and families today. This new data set, combined with the upcoming Orange Shirt Day on September 30th – commemorating Native American relatives and culture lost through the boarding school act – represents a crucial step in acknowledging and honoring the pain of Native communities too long missing from the United States story.
Still, many challenges remain when it comes to community data across the country, whether we’re talking about Native communities or any community whose stories have been buried or haven’t been collected accurately. The missing link is involving these very communities in the process. Through ongoing community collaboration, we can address these gaps so that the data serves to improve the lives of all communities and the world.
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