Hi everyone. During our last class we explored two manifestos that shine a light on marginalized voices. If you want to read the class slides, here’s the link to do so: Class Slides.

The first manifesto, “A U.S. Latinx Digital Humanities Manifesto,” digs into the tough spots Latinx scholars find themselves in within the digital humanities field. It talks about how they’re often underfunded, underrecognized, and stuck in unstable job positions, which pushes them towards traditional ways of producing knowledge that don’t really help the communities they’re trying to represent. The manifesto also pushes back against colonial, top-down approaches that tend to ignore or misuse Latinx contributions.

Our second manifesto, “The Feminist Data Manifest-NO,” takes a deep dive into how data practices can be reshaped to be more just and inclusive. It starts off by critiquing traditional ways data is collected and used, highlighting the need for more consent and inclusivity, especially regarding how data impacts marginalized communities. By rethinking how we handle data, from collection to analysis, the manifesto envisions a more equitable world where data uplifts rather than oppresses.

Both manifestos critically examine and challenge existing structures within their fields, advocating for a major overhaul in approach. They both stress the importance of inclusivity, pushing for the integration of marginalized voices into their respective domains.

Reading references:

• Baeza Ventura, G., Cotera, M. E., García Merchant, L., Gauthereau, L., & Villarroel, C. (2023). A U.S. Latinx Digital Humanities Manifesto. In M. K. Gold & L. F. Klein (Eds.), Debates in the Digital Humanities 2023. University of Minnesota Press. https://dhdebates.gc.cuny.edu/read/debates-in-the-digital-humanities-2023/section/6fe44fac-6bac-4f1d-bd92-a586833240dc#ch05
• Sutherland, T., Cifor, M., Cowan, Rault, & Garcia, P. (2023). The Feminist Data Manifest-NO: An Introduction and Four Reflections. In M. K. Gold & L. F. Klein (Eds.), Debates in the Digital Humanities 2023. University of Minnesota Press. https://dhdebates.gc.cuny.edu/read/debates-in-the-digital-humanities-2023/section/16184c7d-eee1-40b2-a168-960d4c4035c4#ch08