ALEJANDRA BELTRAN CODE 120
RESEARCH TEAM
DR. JACK

INTRODUCTION:
During these last few weeks, I have noticed that things are becoming clearer little by little. I’m sure many of us feel the same way. Even though we are still trying to figure out what this adventure is about, our teachers have been putting great effort into giving us the tools that we are going to need when the day of taking action comes. As we have been studying during these past weeks, the problem we are working on is defined as a “Wicked Problem”. Let’s remember that a “Wicked Problem” is defined as a problem, usually social or cultural, that is challenging or impossible to solve either because not enough is understood about the problem, the number of stakeholders involved, the number of varying opinions, the economic burden, or the impact of these problems with other problems. In class, we defined “Wicked Problems” as problems that have a Vague definition, Undefined Solutions, No endpoint, and Irreversible, Unique, and Urgent.

1. VAGUE PROBLEM DEFINITION:
With “Reparative Justice”, “The Botanical Garden” and “Slavery”, being as complex and extensive as they are, it is difficult to define a specific problem, which is why this becomes vague and confusing. We have been studying the meaning of “Reparative Justice” and we are delving into learning a little more about “The Botanical Garden” so we can know where we can take action.

However, our problem is not clearly defined, is grasped and understood. Our

problem is not clearly defined, grasped, and understood.

  1. UNDEFINED SOLUTIONS:Here we can clearly unite point number one with point number two. When there is no defined problem, it is even more difficult to define a solution. In order to define a solution we need to look for a specific problem to cover and solve but it would be quite difficult knowing the great background of problems that surround “The Botanical Garden “ in terms of slavery and reparative justice.
  2. NO ENDPOINT:
    There are various factors that make it a problem without an endpoint, mainly because it is a problem that has no solution. The project we are currently working on does not have an endpoint because there will always be constant problems that will arise throughout our journey, but also, being a problem that occurred hundreds of years ago, it is impossible to correct or change any of those mistakes that were made. Being a problem without an endpoint, we can count on the fact that there will be many factors that could be against us, just as there will be many that we will have in our favor, but this is quite unpredictable.
  3. IRREVERSIBLE:
    At the end of point number three, I accidentally mentioned a little bit of what I wanted to talk about in this point. Since it is a problem that occurred several years ago, it is impossible to go back and fix everything that was damaged or avoid some of the injustices that were committed. It is impossible to go back and avoid

the harm that was committed against all the slaves who worked for Henry Shaw as well as to go back and talk about this issue with everyone who has visited “The Botanical Garden” since it opened to the public.

  1. UNIQUE: Our project and its problems are unique, mainly because of the historical background it has. What I mean by this is that there are many botanical gardens around the country but the story behind this one, makes me personally feel that there are stories of people who were involved in this, and those stories should be told. Likewise, it seems like a unique problem to me because I never imagined that this place would have a background like this, and I am sure that thousands of people who have visited this place can agree with me. The beauty and immensity of this place hide very well what is really important to know and stories that are worth telling.
  2. URGENT: I know that most of us can interpret this point as an urgency to find a solution, but for me, this means more than that. It means urgency to revoke the ignorance that exists regarding this issue, and the historical background that exists. It is urgent that there are no more people who visit this place without knowing the authors who created this beautiful place with their hands. As the years go by this will become an even more difficult problem to face and it is incredible that this opportunity is presenting itself to us at such an ideal time as it is now. I consider it an ideal moment because there are stories that have been exposed, related to slavery today. There are people who have a great impact on society nowadays, they are talking about this issue and we can use this to our advantage.