Category: Uncategorized (Page 4 of 17)
This project helps keep digital pictures of the protest, such as art and videos. To help people remember the impact injustice has had on the Black community. This website is intended to inform the audience, such as teachers, students, etc.
Documenting Ferguson allows people’s voices to be heard in digital artifacts and allows the artifacts not to get lost in the future. A setback is open submissions, and you have to be cautious about whether this information is completely reliable on ethical issues. The project helps enhance the knowledge of the St. Louis area. Most of this I did know before, considering I am from St. Louis, but it helped me gain knowledge in a digital aspect and helped me connect emotionally. Overall, I would say the project was not off-putting at all; it all seemed reliable. Also, it is a good representation of how people can use a digital tool to preserve a significant moment in history. This project offers a deeper understanding of Ferguson’s history.
Kayla Taborn
April 16th
St. Louis Regional Data Exchange
The St louis Data exchange also known as (RDX) is an open data portal designed to centralize and enhance access to public data across the St louis’ region. This was brought by the St louis Regional Data Alliance also known as (RDA) which began at the University of Missouri-St louis. RDX aims to serve as resources for community data. The main goal of the project was to give access to local data and break down information as well as give access to data that isn’t from local government and nonprofit websites. The intended audience is pretty much for anyone in any data related work specifically based in the St louis’ region. From things like academic research and journalism.
The RDX supports anyone who is working to improve lives and make changes in the St louis region using reliable and local data. When it comes to methods and technology data aggregation, which is when collecting data from multiple sources and putting it together into one set and mapping tools which use things like digital software that lets you see different data on a map rather than just seeing this information number or chart based. This project took about several months it started back in 2020.This project strengths include things like acc and transparency and benefits from multiple sources some of the weaknesses may include that the accuracy of the data may not be up to date and standard yet. This project adds value by giving us a further understanding of the St louis’ region and providing information on things like health and education. This fits with needs within the region and is useful when trying to gain knowledge in simple ways. In conclusion, the data it shares is pretty much of a high quality which is pretty useful for organization and efficiency. RDX centralizes over 400 data sets which is beneficial for users to keep up with things like trends and advocate for things that could benefit and reflect on the region.
From Dredd Scott to Ferguson: St. Louis History in Black and White is a digital oral project produced by St. Louis Public Radio and hosted by Don Marsh. This oral project features stories, interviews, and historical contexts. The primary goal of this project is to present an oral history of racial relations, the black experience, and civil rights in St. Louis from 1847 to 2016. The project highlights significant events, everyday experiences, and civil rights struggles that have influenced the city of St. Louis. The project’s intended audience may include residents of St. Louis, educators, students, and even the general public. This platform is easily accessible and can be used in the community, classrooms, discussions, etc.
Racial relations in St. Louis have had a long and complex history that continues to exist in today’s society. Researchers discovered that racism has persisted across generations, often hidden in plain view. Through this timeline, this project brings attention to major events as well as hidden histories. The St. Louis History in Black & White project uses a combination of oral history interviews, audio clips from the radio show “St. Louis on the Air” program, and an interactive timeline to document the city’s racial history. This project utilizes digital platforms to present these materials, making them accessible to the public through a mobile-friendly website. This allows users to navigate and explore personal narratives, historical events, and content related to civil rights and race relations in St. Louis easily. Although the website didn’t mention how long the project took to complete, it does mention the St. Louis History in Black & White project was originally launched in 2011. The project was relaunched in 2016 with added historical content, technical improvements, a timeline, and a need to promote awareness and empathy.
The project’s strengths include its accessibility in digital formatting, its educational value, and its ability to capture live experiences, and history over time, While I wouldn’t say this project had any weaknesses, others may want more interactive features or youth voices included. Before now, I knew very little to nothing about the Dredd Scott case. I’ve always heard things about the St. Louis area from my parents to teachers, to the news, and other sources. But on the other hand, The St. Louis History in Black & White project offers a deeper look into the racial dynamics that have long shaped the St. Louis region. What stands out the most to me is how it connects together personal stories, historical milestones, and local geography to show the fight over civil rights, equity, and justice. This project gives contexts to more recent events, such as the 2014 killing of Michael Brown Jr, in Ferguson., as well as previously known information. While that tragedy is well known, it is part of a larger history of systemic segregation, inequality, and resistance that is still going on to this day in the St. Louis area.
On Monday, we talked about three aspects of civic technology that help to make the government more accessible and effective for its constituents: govtech (how the government makes itself available), public data (providing access to data that impacts constituents), and participatory democracy (grassroots efforts to render government more effective). Today we’re going to hone in on public data.
Public data offers the means to hold governments accountable, to understand how data informs decision-making, and to examine and sometimes contest the ways data is collected. It also informs reporting — every day, we see headlines that utilize data to make an (often inflammatory or click-baity) argument. Being able to track down the source of that data allows us to engage critically and thoughtfully with the news as well as with the government.
For today’s lab, we’re digging into some data-driven headlines about the St. Louis metro. Working in groups, explore your assigned article and work through the prompts in this form. You’ll be looking for 1) the argument the article is making, 2) how the reporter is using data to support that argument, 3) the source of that data, and 4) some thoughts about whether or not the article makes good and accurate use of that data.
NB: You might have to dig a bit to find the source of the data! Some articles might not link to it at all, and others might link to aggregators. Do your best to figure out the earliest origin of that data. (E.g. if the article links to an aggregator of crime statistics, try to figure out who actually collected them — local police departments? the FBI? a private company?)
Articles:
- STL ranks #1 for fatal hit-and-runs: Poll
- A shortage of luxury homes is keeping St. Louis hot
- Housing markets facing greater risk of decline concentrated in California, New Jersey, Illinois, and Florida
- Madison County School District 12 ranked least equitable district in Illinois
- Agricultural hub: St. Louis ports handle 50% of U.S. crop movement
Story Map:
Sources:
https://slate.com/culture/2006/02/why-are-so-many-movies-shot-in-canada.html
Outline:
OBSERVATION: I am a Mass Communications major focusing in video production, this means I care a lot about how the film industry works and understanding the way it operates. I already had some history of films from the 40s-60s being filmed in St Louis. I was also remembered that Missouri recently passed an incentive involving tax breaks for productions to come here, to help promote more exposure and revenue for the state.
PROBLEM: I want to gain more context as to what caused the decline in productions in St Louis and the rest of Missouri, even when certain stories being told in film take place in the state. I also want to clarify through my research what is being done to promote productions to return to St Louis.
FRAME: I want to conduct research involving the specific timeline of when productions shifted from St Louis and Missouri to other locations. I will take myself through the history of film specifically taking place in the St Louis area and surrounding locations.
I chose for this assignment to cover the St Louis Story Stitchers Podcast. The website claims the Story Stitchers collective was founded by eight artists in Old North St Louis. The goal of the podcast is to gain a greater understanding of the needs and desires of the youth as well as giving them an amplified voice to to create and inspire change, as well as reduce crime in youth in the St Louis area.
The project relies entirely on the use of technology to both record and share the podcast. The website states they use state-of-the-art equipment to help record the podcast. The images on the website show them using, laptops, microphones, xlr cables, and live mixers to help bring their production together. They show on the website that their show is available to be streamed from nearly anywhere, but specifically showing episodes on YouTube, Vimeo, and Podbean. The website doesn’t clarify when the podcast was founded and first started, but they continue to upload currently and plan on doing so for a long time to continue discussions and give the youth they talk to a voice to share their stories.
The subject matter discussed and the foundation of this podcast are its clear strength, these are stories that need to be told and have a serious purpose. Everyone thinks they can have a podcast, but end up having nothing to talk about or important to say regardless of if they have a true platform or not. However with the Story Stitchers Podcast they are using the platform to better the area and community, specifically focusing on giving the black youth from the St Louis area a way to amplify their voices and be heard. They also have a wide variety of platforms they have released the episodes on, keeping the show easy to find. I feel there isn’t a major weakness for the project, other than some people just don’t listen to podcasts, so you may not have as wide spread of an audience as you may want. However, that may be contradicted by the use of YouTube in addition to just audio-based podcast apps like PodBean.
This project as a whole has a goal of giving the listeners a new experience to hear about. Giving you an entirely different perspective on the St Louis area that you may not have thought about before. The support for communicating with youth as well as giving them a voice is extremely important.
Homelessness can happen to anyone, and in times of need, access to safe, supportive shelters becomes essential. As a college student studying near St. Louis, I’ve come to realize how complex and layered the city’s housing insecurity issue is. There’s not one type of shelter or one type of person who needs it. Depending on someone’s age, gender, health, family situation, or even the weather, the kind of support they need can vary a lot. That’s why understanding the landscape of homeless shelters in St. Louis is crucial, not just for those in need, but for anyone who wants to be part of a more compassionate community.
When someone is suddenly without a place to stay, emergency shelters can be a critical lifeline. For men, Peter & Paul Community Services in the Soulard neighborhood offers a stable, safe place every night of the year, with access to meals, showers, and lockers. It’s consistent, which can be huge when you’re trying to figure out your next step.
For families, Gateway 180 is one of the few places in the city designed specifically to keep families together during housing crises. Their goal is to help families transition into permanent housing within about a month. During freezing weather, the AmeriCorps Winter Warming Shelter opens, offering warmth, food, and emergency services. It’s seasonal, but when temperatures drop below 20°F, it can mean the difference between life and death.
Young people that experience homelessness require tailored support, especially as they are still pursuing education or beginning their careers. That’s where Covenant House Missouri comes in. They serve youth aged sixteen through twenty-four and go beyond just beds; they offer medical care, mental health support, job help, and even educational resources. It’s also one of the more LGBTQ+ inclusive shelters, which is essential since LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately affected by homelessness.
For even younger individuals, eleven through twenty, the Epworth Youth Drop-In Center provides meals, education help, and legal support. They meet youth where they are without forcing a “fix everything overnight” narrative. Another option, the Center for Youth on the Rise, offers teens a safe space to regroup, learn life skills, and build toward stability.
Women, especially pregnant women or mothers with young children, face specific challenges when it comes to housing. Haven of Grace is one of the few places in St. Louis that focuses on pregnant women, offering housing and support through birth and beyond. For teenage moms, Almost Home offers a structured program that helps them rebuild with their kids while working toward independence.
The Salvation Army Family Haven is also worth noting—it’s one of the more comprehensive shelters, offering detox services, daycare, counseling, and even recreational programming. It’s designed to serve entire families, which is incredibly important when other shelters might separate parents from their children.
St. Louis also has specialized and transitional housing shelters for people with very specific challenges. For example, Father Dempsey’s Charities focuses on helping men transition out of homelessness by providing both shelter and social support. Doorways provides housing and health services to people living with HIV/AIDS, and they have options for both individuals and families.
Then there’s the Criminal Justice Ministry, which helps people recently released from prison reintegrate into society. Housing is only part of what they offer, they also help with transportation, hygiene, medicine, and emotional support. It’s a reminder that homelessness is deeply connected to other systemic issues like incarceration, health, and inequality.
The shelter you go to really depends on your specific situation. Age is a big factor, youth-focused shelters like Covenant House are ideal for young adults, while others like Father Dempsey’s are designed for older men. If you’re LGBTQ+, choosing an affirming environment is essential for both safety and dignity. If you have children, you’ll want a place like Gateway 180 or Salvation Army that can keep your family together.
Conclusion
Navigating homelessness is overwhelming, but the wide range of shelters in St. Louis provides hope and structure for people in crisis. Whether someone is seeking temporary refuge, long-term housing, youth support, or help with reentry, there are dedicated shelters ready to meet those needs. By evaluating personal circumstances—such as age, health, family status, or emergency needs—individuals can find the shelter that aligns best with their situation, providing not just safety, but a path to a brighter, more stable future.
Sources:
https://www.americorps-stl.org
https://www.covenanthousemo.org
Storymap:
This specific tour was made by Lara Kelland, a professor in museum studies and community history. Though each individual site has its own page and creator who were students in her class. The goals of the project are literally listed to “connect people to the variety of sites throughout the city.” Although, it seems it’s also trying to give these institutions of the black community an identity by giving a deeper look and understanding of the influence they had on African Americans. The projects intended audiences seem to be, African Americans, anyone interested in history, tourists, and people that want a new level of understanding of their city. There’s no real overarching conclusion to this work; this is a mass of information about different places that meant something to the black community. There may be some narrative to draw about black people having to have their own institutions to live normally, instead of using the same ones everyone else uses. But in general, there is no real “theme” per say. This project uses two instances of google maps, and a text to speech for any bodies of text. The two google maps give an arial and on the ground view of the site you are looking at. All the different site pages have different start and end dates, but looking as this as one cohesive work, the earliest date is February 2020, and the latest and March 2020. This project’s strengths come from each of the 13 different sites having different pages and people writing about them. You get a heap of information about each specific thing. A weakness this project has is accessibility. If someone can’t walk long distances, or have a car, they’d have to do the tour digitally. Which is possible, but you lose a lot of significance of seeing the place in person and going inside to look around.
I pretty much didn’t know any of the information on this tour, so reading through it gave me a lot of knowledge I didn’t have before. Maybe my lack of knowledge is from not literally living in the city, but I only knew about Harris-Stowe, the rest was new. Even in that case, I learned new facts about the school that I couldn’t have learned without some serious research. I like knowing that my people had a few places to go to and be themselves, or not be ridiculed. Having multiple spots in such a big city with cultural significance to my skin tone gives the city itself a new light in my eyes.