Fun with GIS #318: 2892 Miles To Go
Across written history, which stories have dominated? With few exceptions, the stories of those in power have dominated, if not smothered, those of the less powerful. But everyone has stories. A new project on the USA education landscape brings out some stories that have not received their due. They appear in StoryMaps, with teaching materials alongside. “2892 Miles to Go” is a project of the past, the present, and the future.
How far is it across USA from east to west? Eyeball a quick straight line distance across the coterminous 48 states, in either Map Viewer or Scene Viewer, and you will find roughly 2892 miles. But that doesn’t come close to the number of stories in USA’s past, which lead to issues and challenges in the present, which must be heard and understood to break down the barriers of today and build up the supports for tomorrow.
Walk a mile in someone’s shoes by reading their words, listening to their story, consuming their maps. See the world as another human being. Witness how geography can illuminate patterns and relationships … and how, as with any tool, some have used knowledge and power to cause harm. But geography can be the language for finding, building, or restoring common ground … in places across the country, and even in our own communities.
Bear witness, and note especially the section for educators. Share the stories from 2892 Miles To Go. Then, seek out the stories in your community. (And for a guided intro to 2892, check out the T3G Webinar on 2892 featuring Ashley Lamb-Sinclair and Anita Palmer.)
