The Underlying and Undermining- What Our Digital Environments Represent

Atlanta, like any major city in America, looks to progress by bringing in new business, residents, and improving the local environment. Idealistically, improvement would be mean progressive and agreeable changes for everyone in the area. Unfortunately, in the real world certain groups are left behind or purposely hindered from said improvement.

Logo of for the Central Atlanta Progress Inc

The Central Atlanta Progress Inc. has been in operation since 1941. The group is dedicated to providing services that help maintain and stimulate the Downtown Atlanta area- namely through economic means with the help of investment by businesses in the area. CAP also works in association with the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, another partnership with public and private sectors to help with the livability of the city.

The organization’s president, A.J. Robinson, “manages the overall strategic functions of the organizations which are designed to make the Downtown Atlanta community more livable, vital and diverse.” (link) (“A.J. Robinson (President, Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District,” WNBA.com).

In print that sounds great. Diversity and progression are words we (millennials especially) love to hear. CAP’s initiatives like Trees Atlanta, COPA Inc (to improve the Centennial Park area), and the Downtown Green Source Program. These plans have brought back a good payout for the city- tourism, capital, general environmental improvements.

However, when it comes to the bigger picture who is actually  benefiting from the changes CAP and ADID have brought to the Atlanta area? Maybe it is everyone, maybe it is a certain class of people. Whichever the case, the digital environment of CAP presents a slanted idea of “diversity” in the downtown Atlanta area. The environment, especially through digital images, doesn’t fairly represent what one might actually see walking down Peachtree Street.

Out CAP’s executive board of 21 people, 17 are white. The last U.S. census recorded (link) says that 54% of the Atlanta population is African American, 38% are white, and 8% Asian, Hispanic, or other (“Atlanta City Georgia Quick Facts.” Census.gov).. Now does that seem like a proper board to help promote interests of the population?

Shot of the playground found at Woodruff Park
Shot of the playground found at Woodruff Park
A screenshot of the homepage for CAP
A screenshot of the homepage for CAP

In the picture to right we see Woodruff Park as shown in a video (link) sponsored by CAP. A picture similar can be found on the front page of their website. The problem with these images is almost similar to false advertising.

If you were to visit the park and walk the length of it you would notice copious amounts of homeless people and a majority of the homeless people being African American.  According to the 2015 Homelessness Report (link) distributed by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, 65% of Georgia’s homeless are African American. 500+ homeless persons are found in Fulton County (“2015 Report on Homelessness,” dca.ga.gov).

Said video, “The Real Downtown Atlanta” (link) takes us down Peachtree, all the way to the Sweet Auburn Market, and we see a snip bit of Centennial Olympic park. Real downtown Atlanta is more than white collar business people, but for some reason that is the only kind of person presented to the viewer.

Interestingly enough, almost all of the images that feature the working class are African American people. When African American people are depicted as part of the business class, there will always be one or more white people as well.

The main CAP website also creates binaries through other photos throughout their site. I noted that a majority of the photos depicting Atlantan’s enjoying a night on the town or the activities that Atlanta has to offer are white people. With 62% of Atlanta’s population being non white, these photos may not attest to a real night on the town depending on the area (“Atlanta City Georgia Quick Facts.” Census.gov).

A map depicting places where gentrification has taken place in Atlanta
A map depicting places where gentrification has taken place in Atlanta

The area’s of Atlanta that have undergone gentrification are depicted in dark blue. This data covers the 2000 census to present day (“Atlanta Gentrification Maps and Data,” governing.com). Interestingly enough those areas fall in line with the areas that CAP have focused on. A rise in area income, house value, and college degrees  is never a bad scenario, however a problem does arise in leaving out or pushing out half of a cities population-as previously mentioned.

Clearly there are still African American people in the Atlanta area. Unfortunately, this problem of binary thinking and unfair misrepresentation from the real world to the digital environment is more than just a CAP issue.

According to the 2015 CAP annual report (link) big names in business and in the Atlanta area support the efforts made by CAP.  Creative Loafing, UPS, Zipcar, The Fox Theatre, The Tabernacle, the Georgia Institute of Technology,  churches, hotel chains, law firms, and construction companies are among the some 172 members. Partners to CAP include the Atlanta Police Foundation, American Institute of Architects- Georgia, and Sustainable Solutions Georgia, LLC among 38 others. Currently their “Be Downtown” campaign is being funded by names like Coca-Cola, the Atlanta Falcons, and Georgia Power.

I looked at each website for the businesses explicitly listed above to see if the same binary trends displayed on CAP’s website were present and voilà!

A screenshot from a page on the Coca-Cola website
A screenshot from a page on the Coca-Cola website

Not only just a majority of white people in photos show up, but only African American and white people generally can be found. On Coca-Cola’s page about employment and diversity,  photos most predominantly feature white males. Ironic, is it not, as diversity is supposed to represent an assortment of different things.

Even the websites that had as many African Americans as white people, there was an alarming amount of no one else! It is almost like an unspoken rule throughout all of the websites that as long as there is at least one African American person in a photo it is diverse. However, as diversity is an assortment of different things as previously stated- more specifically in this case those things being race. Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander. If it is on a “race category” for a job application to one of these businesses, why aren’t these people being represented digitally?

The scary part about this when it relates back to Central Atlanta Progress is that members and partners have a definite say in what is happening in the city, where the money is going, and what that means for the people that live here. With the numerous amounts of different kinds of companies CAP works with, it is alarming to find trends so blatant across all their digital environments.

It becomes a kind of network that creates inherent inequalities in the digital realm. These inequalities then support gentrification and leaving out groups in the real world because one visiting the area would not expect to see certain groups anyways.

As of 2016, 88% of adults in America use the internet in America. The internet is practically another world now and the way information is processed through it is impactful. We become programmed by the subliminal, little things in the photos we see become big things.

Livability does not mean push out the people an upper middle class America does not want to see or hide certain groups on digital platforms. These ideas of progress and diversity are severely thwarted with misrepresentation.

Works Cited
“A.J. Robinson (President, Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District).” DREAM. WNBA, n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <http://www.wnba.com/archive/wnba/dream/community/robinson_bio.html>.
“Atlanta City Georgia Quick Facts.” Census.gov. United States Census Bureau, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2016. <http://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/1304000#flag-js-X>.
“Atlanta Gentrification Maps and Data.” Atlanta Gentrification Maps and Data. E.Republic, n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <http://www.governing.com/gov-data/atlanta-gentrification-maps-demographic-data.html>.
AtlantaDowntown. “The Real Downtown Atlanta.” YouTube. YouTube, 07 Nov. 2012. Web. 29 Apr. 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDzdqjh1FRE>.
Central Atlanta Progress | Atlanta Downtown Improvement District. Central Atlanta Progress, Inc, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2016. <http://www.atlantadowntown.com/>.
“2015 Report on Homelessness.” GEORGIA’S 14,000 (2015): n. pag. DCA GA. Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Sept. 2015. Web. <https://www.dca.ga.gov/housing/specialneeds/programs/documents/HomelessnessReport2015.pdf>.
“United States Internet Users.” U.S. Internet Users. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2016. <http://www.internetlivestats.com/internet-users/us/>.

2,386 thoughts on “The Underlying and Undermining- What Our Digital Environments Represent

  • This article offers a thoughtful and well-researched critique of Central Atlanta Progress, highlighting critical issues surrounding representation and gentrification in Atlanta. The use of statistical data and real-world examples, such as the misrepresentation in digital images, strengthens the argument and brings attention to the disconnect between digital portrayals and real-life conditions. The piece effectively links these digital misrepresentations to broader societal inequalities, offering an insightful perspective on the impact of gentrification. Overall, the article is both timely and relevant, engaging readers with its nuanced discussion of progress and diversity.React Training In Hyderabad

  • This article offers a thoughtful and well-researched critique of Central Atlanta Progress, highlighting critical issues surrounding representation and gentrification in Atlanta. The use of statistical data and real-world examples, such as the misrepresentation in digital images, strengthens the argument and brings attention to the disconnect between digital portrayals and real-life conditions. The piece effectively links these digital misrepresentations to broader societal inequalities, offering an insightful perspective on the impact of gentrification. Overall, the article is both timely and relevant, engaging readers with its nuanced discussion of progress and diversity.

  • This article offers a thoughtful and well-researched critique of Central Atlanta Progress, highlighting critical issues surrounding representation and gentrification in Atlanta. The use of statistical data and real-world examples, such as the misrepresentation in digital images, strengthens the argument and brings attention to the disconnect between digital portrayals and real-life conditions. The piece effectively links these digital misrepresentations to broader societal inequalities, offering an insightful perspective on the impact of gentrification. Overall, the article is both timely and relevant, engaging readers with its nuanced discussion of progress and diversity.React Training In Hyderabad

  • This article brings out an interesting perspective on how our digital environments shape both our understanding and influence. It’s fascinating to think about what these spaces truly represent and how they can both empower and undermine us. Do you think these digital environments are evolving more towards connection or manipulation?
    check out:https://katta.co/

  • I have read all the comments and suggestions posted by the visitors for this article are very fine,We will wait for your next article so only.Thanks! Slot Hoki

  • แนะนำ เว็บตรง สล็อตเว็บนอก จากต่างประเทศ สล็อตค่ายนอก ทั้งหมด จากทั่วโลก รวบรวมเกมสล็อตแตกง่าย ที่ดีที่สุด ไว้ในเว็บเดียว สล็อตเว็บนอก

  • แนะนำ เว็บตรง สล็อตเว็บนอก จากต่างประเทศ สล็อตค่ายนอก ทั้งหมด จากทั่วโลก รวบรวมเกมสล็อตแตกง่าย ที่ดีที่สุด ไว้ในเว็บเดียว เว็บนอก

  • Thank you so much for sharing this great blog.Very inspiring and helpful too.Hope you continue to share more of your ideas.I will definitely love to read. ufa88s vip

  • Here is a 1000-word optimized article on Snowflake:

    Title: Unlocking the Power of Snowflake: The Modern Data Platform for the Cloud Era

    Introduction:

    In today’s data-driven world, organizations are constantly seeking robust and scalable solutions to manage their vast amounts of data. Snowflake, a modern cloud data platform, has emerged as a game-changer, offering an innovative approach to data storage, processing, and analytics. With its unique architecture and cloud-native capabilities, Snowflake has quickly become a preferred choice for businesses across various industries. In this article, we will explore what Snowflake is, its key features, why it stands out in the crowded field of data platforms, and how it can help businesses leverage data for better decision-making.

    What is Snowflake?
    Snowflake is a fully managed cloud data platform designed for data warehousing, data lake, data sharing, and data applications. Founded in 2012, Snowflake was built from the ground up for the cloud, making it uniquely positioned to take advantage of cloud scalability, flexibility, and performance. Unlike traditional on-premises data warehouses, Snowflake separates compute and storage, allowing organizations to scale these components independently and pay only for what they use.

    Snowflake operates on major cloud providers, including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, enabling businesses to choose the cloud environment that best suits their needs. Its architecture combines the power of traditional data warehouses, big data platforms, and cloud infrastructure to provide a unified, cost-effective, and easy-to-use solution for data analytics.

    Key Features of Snowflake:
    Multi-Cluster Shared Data Architecture: Snowflake’s unique architecture separates compute and storage, allowing for independent scaling of resources. This multi-cluster, shared data approach enables businesses to scale up or down based on workload demands without impacting performance. It ensures consistent query performance, even during peak usage, making it ideal for organizations with fluctuating workloads.

    Seamless Data Sharing: Snowflake provides secure and governed data sharing capabilities, allowing organizations to share data in real-time across different departments, partners, or even externally with customers. Snowflake’s data sharing eliminates the need for data movement or duplication, ensuring that data is always up-to-date and accessible to authorized users.

    Automatic Scaling and Performance Optimization: Snowflake automatically scales computing resources up or down based on the current workload, optimizing performance and cost efficiency. This auto-scaling capability ensures that queries run smoothly and quickly, without manual intervention, even when workloads vary significantly.

    Data Cloning and Time Travel: Snowflake offers unique features like zero-copy cloning and time travel. Zero-copy cloning allows users to create instant copies of databases, tables, or schemas without incurring additional storage costs. Time travel enables users to access historical data for up to 90 days, making it easier to recover lost data, perform audits, or analyze trends over time.

    Built-In Security and Compliance: Snowflake is built with security at its core, offering features such as end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication, and role-based access controls. Snowflake is also compliant with major industry standards, including GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2 Type II, ensuring that data is secure and meets regulatory requirements.

    Support for Semi-Structured and Structured Data: Snowflake natively supports both structured and semi-structured data, such as JSON, Avro, and Parquet. This capability allows businesses to handle a wide range of data types within a single platform, simplifying data management and analytics across different data sources.

    Integration with Third-Party Tools: Snowflake integrates seamlessly with various third-party tools, including data visualization tools like Tableau and Power BI, data integration platforms like Fivetran and Informatica, and machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow and Apache Spark. This interoperability makes it easier for organizations to build a comprehensive data ecosystem.

    Why Choose Snowflake for Your Data Needs?
    Scalability and Flexibility: One of the primary reasons businesses choose Snowflake is its ability to scale effortlessly to accommodate large and growing datasets. The separation of compute and storage enables organizations to scale resources based on their needs, whether they require additional storage or more computing power. This flexibility allows businesses to handle any data volume or workload efficiently.

    Performance and Speed: Snowflake is designed to deliver fast query performance. Its automatic scaling and optimization features ensure that queries run at optimal speeds, regardless of the size of the dataset or the complexity of the query. This performance advantage is critical for organizations that rely on real-time analytics to make data-driven decisions.

    Cost Efficiency: Snowflake’s pay-as-you-go pricing model ensures that businesses only pay for the compute and storage resources they actually use. By eliminating the need for expensive hardware and providing transparent pricing, Snowflake helps organizations optimize costs while maximizing value.

    Simplified Data Management: Snowflake offers a single platform for managing all types of data, whether structured or semi-structured. Its intuitive interface and powerful features simplify data management tasks, such as data loading, transformation, and analysis, reducing the time and effort required to derive insights from data.

    Data Collaboration and Sharing: Snowflake’s data sharing capabilities make it easy to collaborate with internal teams, partners, or customers. Businesses can securely share live data without moving or copying it, enabling faster and more efficient collaboration.

    Cloud Agnostic Platform: Snowflake runs on all major cloud providers (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), giving businesses the flexibility to choose their preferred cloud environment or adopt a multi-cloud strategy. This cloud-agnostic approach ensures that organizations are not locked into a single cloud vendor and can leverage the best of all cloud platforms.SAP Snowflake institutes in Hyderabad

  • Horse Racing and Digital Environments
    Geni Du Turf ” https://geniduturf.com/ ” and Digital Representation: Geni Turfs, alongside Le Jephte Turf and NanouTurf, exemplify how horse racing integrates with digital platforms, reflecting societal values and technological advancements.
    Cultural Reflection: Both domains illustrate how digital environments can enhance or undermine traditional practices, showcasing the evolution of community engagement and entertainment.
    Impact of Technology: The digital transformation in horse racing mirrors broader societal shifts, emphasizing the need for critical engagement with our digital surroundings.

  • 와 … 정말 멋진 블로그입니다.이 글을 쓴 글쓴이는 정말 훌륭한 블로거입니다.이 글은 제가 더 나은 사람이되도록 영감을줍니다. 온카

  • 꽤 좋은 게시물입니다. 나는 방금 귀하의 블로그를 우연히 발견하고 귀하의 블로그 게시물을 읽는 것이 정말 즐거웠다고 말하고 싶었습니다. 어떤 식 으로든 피드를 구독하고 곧 다시 게시 해 주시기 바랍니다. 유용한 정보에 감사드립니다. 토토사이트

  • This is a very insightful analysis of the situation in Atlanta and the broader issue of representation in digital spaces. It’s concerning to see how misrepresentation and selective imagery can distort reality and further systemic inequalities. The digital world plays a huge role in shaping perceptions, and it’s crucial that it reflects the true diversity of communities.

    On a lighter note, if anyone is looking for a break from the heavy topics, I’ve been using Dooflix, a fantastic ad-free streaming app with a diverse range of movies and shows. It’s a great way to unwind and explore content from various cultures and backgrounds. Check it out here: Dooflix APK .

  • Understanding Workday: What Makes It Unique?

    Workday stands out for its user-friendly interface, real-time data analytics, and scalability, making it ideal for businesses of all sizes. Built on a single cloud-based platform, Workday offers a wide range of modules, including Human Capital Management (HCM), Financial Management, Payroll, and Professional Services Automation (PSA), which can be tailored to meet an organization’s specific needs.

    Here are some of the key features that make Workday unique:

    Unified Platform: Unlike many other solutions that require multiple software systems to handle various business functions, Workday consolidates HR, financial, and workforce planning into a single, integrated platform. This simplifies operations, reduces costs, and enhances data consistency and accuracy.

    Real-Time Data and Analytics: Workday provides real-time access to data, enabling businesses to make quick, informed decisions. The platform’s built-in analytics tools allow users to create custom dashboards, visualize data trends, and generate insights on demand, enhancing strategic planning and performance management.

    Flexibility and Scalability: Designed to scale with growing businesses, Workday offers flexibility to add new modules and capabilities as an organization’s needs evolve. Whether you’re expanding your workforce, entering new markets, or restructuring operations, Workday’s cloud-based architecture easily adapts to changes.

    User-Friendly Interface: Workday’s intuitive design is built with the end-user in mind, offering a seamless experience across all devices, including mobile, tablet, and desktop. The platform also allows for personalized user experiences, which helps improve user adoption rates and overall employee engagement.

    Key Modules of Workday

    Workday offers several modules to meet various business needs. Here are the primary modules that can benefit an organization:Clinical SAS online training in Hyderabad

  • NYC fashion designers have played a pivotal role in shaping global trends for decades. With a diverse, bold approach, they create designs that reflect the city’s rich cultural heritage. From minimalist to avant-garde styles, these designers set the tone for fashion worldwide. Discover the lasting impact of NYC’s legendary designers on modern fashion trends. NYC fashion designers

  • The moment Cindy Ngamba won her medal not only marked an Olympic achievement but was a symbolic victory for refugees around the world. This keyword will appeal to audiences eager to learn about this historic moment and how it reshapes the narrative of refugee representation in sports. First Refugee Medal

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *