I decided to choose “Digital Harlem” as a DH mapping project to look at. Digital Harlem Map depicts the everyday life in Harlem between 1915-1930. It uses legal records, newspapers, and other published and archival sources obtained from district attorney’s files, probation department files, and newspapers. The map depicts the borders of black settlements in 1920, 1925, and 1930.
Website’s visitors are able to navigate through the site by using the search option panel available. You are able to narrow the results by selecting the type of event, date, charge/conviction, birthplace of participant, occupation of participant, race, gender, or by street name and location type. Although this attempts to show the everyday life of black settlements, it seems that the data is one sided and only shows the ontology of police officers and district attorneys or the state in general instead of showing the views and perspectives of the community. As Turnbull asserts that all mapping of data is always subjective and perspectival and speaks to the narrative of its author, it is also true in this case. As it has come to light recently with improved phone cameras and the ability for anyone to record at any moment, police officers are over patrolling African-American communities and treating that community more harshly than others. It stands to reason that almost a hundred years ago, relationship between the police and black community was more at odds than now. With the limited to no rights given to the black community made them an easy target for police officers.
This data doesn’t show the other side to the story. For instance, it could be improved if they also took in account of the defenses offered by the public defender’s office (if those convicted were given a public defender). A new map could also show how many of those convictions were based on a trial where the jurors found them guilty and those that simply took the plea deal. Therefore, I would like to see sources that don’t always side with the district attorney’s office. For instance, the police officers and district attorneys work together closely and would never turn on one another. This is the main reason why police officers who do atrocious acts do not see criminal charges brought against them.
I really liked how you laid out your post and your suggestions for shedding light on the plight of the black community. I definitely agree that this data is quite one-sided from the perspective of government officials. However, I do think the relationship between district attorneys and police officers is not the main reason police offers do not see criminal charges brought against them. It is also a case of social attitudes and inherent prejudices. The relationship between district attorney and police officer is more a part of the justice system.