Police budgets explode and prisons fill up. Coronavirus care and schools suffers. Voter suppression in black communities increases. How are the three connected?
Tax payer dollars are meant to improve the lives of all Americans. How do powerful groups and politicians misuse them for their own agenda? We mapped how states allocate their budgets, police killings of unarmed civilians and who the local political leadership was.
Spotting patterns is easier when information is merged visually. 'The High Cost of Policing' combines data from:
Mapping Police Violence
Urban Institute & Brookings Institution
Washington Post
The results were combined into a visual story using StoryMaps, a free app. The StoryMap combines images, videos, and headlines into an interactive map that readers can explore on their own. StoryMaps are easily shared with a link, can be seen on a laptop or phone and be refreshed with new information.
Data visualization
"Data visualization is the graphical representation of information and data. By using visual elements like charts, graphs, and maps, data visualization tools provide an accessible way to see and understand trends, outliers, and patterns in data." - Tableau.
Data visualization is a powerful tool for activists and campaigns. Soundbites trivialize issues and groups rely on people being too busy to research the details. Information has to be presented in an engaging, user-friendly manner with graphics and direct links to the call to action.
Take away
Use StoryMaps to make it easy for voters to understand the facts and get involved with your campaign. Get help in creating your own StoryMap here.
Deepak
Co-Founder, DemLabs
Please share this blog. DemLabs, a project of the Tides Advocacy Fund, is a SF-based, progressive hub for ongoing technology and creative innovation with free and affordable apps. Donate here to support our work.