Racial Projects/Spatial Projects : Exploring Agency and Subjectivity through GIS Mapping Technologies Brian J. McNely Rhetoric and Writing Studies University of Texas at El Paso

Brian J. McNely

Rhetoric and Writing Studies

University of Texas at El Paso

Presentation Agenda This presentation works within and between four broad areas of research, and their implications for subject formation and agency: -Racial Projects -Postmodern Geography/Rhetoric -Mapping as a Rhetorical Practice -Racialization/Spatialization -GIS and Rhetorical Stratigraphies In the interests of time, this presentation will focus more on space and subject formation than agency. < If you’re really bored, you might count how many times I use some variation of the word “imbricate” so you can give me a hard time about it later.>

This presentation works within and between four broad areas of research, and their implications for subject formation and agency:

-Racial Projects

-Postmodern Geography/Rhetoric

-Mapping as a Rhetorical Practice

-Racialization/Spatialization

-GIS and Rhetorical Stratigraphies

In the interests of time, this presentation will focus more on space and subject formation than agency.

< If you’re really bored, you might count how many times I use some variation of the word “imbricate” so you can give me a hard time about it later.>

More Specifically… This study employs a panoramic approach to the spatial formations of subjectivity and the enlargement (and potential restriction) of agency by examining the rhetorics of geographical placement. The site of research concerns the development and proposed dissolution of a racially marked housing project in the East Bay city of Dublin, California. At the heart of this study is the idea of projects , both as physical places , and as the sociodiscursive impositions of racialization. I am particularly interested in the intersections of racial formation and spatialization, how geographies of power and privilege enact and sustain racial projects.

This study employs a panoramic approach to the spatial formations of subjectivity and the enlargement (and potential restriction) of agency by examining the rhetorics of geographical placement.

The site of research concerns the development and proposed dissolution of a racially marked housing project in the East Bay city of Dublin, California.

At the heart of this study is the idea of projects , both as physical places , and as the sociodiscursive impositions of racialization.

I am particularly interested in the intersections of racial formation and spatialization, how geographies of power and privilege enact and sustain racial projects.

Interrogating Space: GIS Geospatial Information Systems (GIS), combined with the increased flexibility of such tools through Web 2.0 repurposing capabilities, provide a tremendous resource with which to examine such spatial rhetorics. GIS software is deployed here in two important ways: -on a practical level, satellite imaging and GIS layers frustrate the hegemony of the map, destabilizing the city’s view of the city, and the housing project’s place within it. -GIS software itself is used as a hermeneutic of spatial negotiation.

Geospatial Information Systems (GIS), combined with the increased flexibility of such tools through Web 2.0 repurposing capabilities, provide a tremendous resource with which to examine such spatial rhetorics.

GIS software is deployed here in two important ways:

-on a practical level, satellite imaging and GIS layers frustrate the hegemony of the map, destabilizing the city’s view of the city, and the housing project’s place within it.

-GIS software itself is used as a hermeneutic of spatial negotiation.

Layering and Stratigraphy I explore how GIS maps are constructed through the complex layering of connected, yet discrete data. Seeing maps as fundamentally rhetorical, and seeing layering as a powerful metaphor of social construction, this study posits a notion of rhetorical stratigraphy , a means to interrogate the complexity of subjectivity and agency, through the discrete yet interconnected layers of geographical placement, racial formation, and rhetoric. Admittedly, these are but a few among many other potential factors that are layered and stratified rhetorically.

I explore how GIS maps are constructed through the complex layering of connected, yet discrete data.

Seeing maps as fundamentally rhetorical, and seeing layering as a powerful metaphor of social construction, this study posits a notion of rhetorical stratigraphy , a means to interrogate the complexity of subjectivity and agency, through the discrete yet interconnected layers of geographical placement, racial formation, and rhetoric.

Admittedly, these are but a few among many other potential factors that are layered and stratified rhetorically.

Racial Projects

Racial Formation Omi and Winant define racial formation as “the sociohistorical process by which racial categories are created, inhabited, transformed, and destroyed.” At the heart of this definition of racial formation is the materiality of discourse, an understanding that the hegemony of the dominant culture is lived (“inhabited”) daily in the material reality of racialized subjects. Omi and Winant describe how racial formation is constructed through “a process of historically situated projects in which human bodies and social structures are represented and organized.” The processes of racial formation occur “through a linkage between structure and representation,” through the conflation of discursive and material constructs, where racial projects themselves represent the ideological links between such constructs.

Omi and Winant define racial formation as “the sociohistorical process by which racial categories are created, inhabited, transformed, and destroyed.”

At the heart of this definition of racial formation is the materiality of discourse, an understanding that the hegemony of the dominant culture is lived (“inhabited”) daily in the material reality of racialized subjects.

Omi and Winant describe how racial formation is constructed through “a process of historically situated projects in which human bodies and social structures are represented and organized.”

The processes of racial formation occur “through a linkage between structure and representation,” through the conflation of discursive and material constructs, where racial projects themselves represent the ideological links between such constructs.

Racial Projects/Formation (cont.) Where this linkage between material and discursive factors is made explicit, we can approach an understanding of “race” itself. I follow Omi and Winant’s definition of race as “an unstable and ‘decentered’ complex of social meanings constantly being transformed by political struggle.” This struggle always involves the placement and spatial arrangement of racialized bodies and subjectivities by the dominant discourse. Race, then, is more than a discursive construct whose ideology is disseminated only through linguistic and visual means. There are powerful extraverbal factors that impinge upon racialized subjectivities, not the least of which are geography, architecture, and spatial arrangement.

Where this linkage between material and discursive factors is made explicit, we can approach an understanding of “race” itself.

I follow Omi and Winant’s definition of race as “an unstable and ‘decentered’ complex of social meanings constantly being transformed by political struggle.”

This struggle always involves the placement and spatial arrangement of racialized bodies and subjectivities by the dominant discourse.

Race, then, is more than a discursive construct whose ideology is disseminated only through linguistic and visual means. There are powerful extraverbal factors that impinge upon racialized subjectivities, not the least of which are geography, architecture, and spatial arrangement.

Stuart Hall/Articulation Hall argues for a social paradigm in which the complexity of multiple theoretical frames are imbricated, overlapping, or as he says, articulated . Hall’s notion of articulation is significant to this presentation in two ways: -First, it provides an approach to the complexity of racialization from the macro, mapping perspective of the hegemonic discourse. -In addition, the idea opens up possibilities for studying the complex bricolage of factors that impact race, subjectivity, and agency as an ecological whole, understanding that race cannot be separated from place and from materially experienced realities. Understanding that such factors are shaped in large measure by the dominant discourse allows us to uncover some of the rhetorical attributes of spatialization, to see lived places as extensions of the hegemonic order, while at the same time recognizing their potential as sites of resistance, of rearticulation by marginalized subjects.

Hall argues for a social paradigm in which the complexity of multiple theoretical frames are imbricated, overlapping, or as he says, articulated .

Hall’s notion of articulation is significant to this presentation in two ways:

-First, it provides an approach to the complexity of racialization from the macro, mapping perspective of the hegemonic discourse.

-In addition, the idea opens up possibilities for studying the complex bricolage of factors that impact race, subjectivity, and agency as an ecological whole, understanding that race cannot be separated from place and from materially experienced realities.

Understanding that such factors are shaped in large measure by the dominant discourse allows us to uncover some of the rhetorical attributes of spatialization, to see lived places as extensions of the hegemonic order, while at the same time recognizing their potential as sites of resistance, of rearticulation by marginalized subjects.

Cornel West and Mapping West’s study of various racial projects and their imbrication within the episteme of modern discourse is indispensable to the discussion of spatialization, and in particular, mapping. The predominance of observation , of a reliance on empiricism, comparison, and order, is endemic to the development of western discourse, leading to West’s notion of the normative gaze . I argue that cartographic and spatial projects of the dominant culture are an extension of these ocular metaphors, are the embodiment of the normative gaze. Mapping, then, is perhaps the quintessential form of hegemonic surveillance; maps embody scientific observation; they measure, compare, and order our material reality, always observing geographies from a privileged and panoramic (static) ocular position; and they can reveal how the normative gaze orders and arranges racialized subjects.

West’s study of various racial projects and their imbrication within the episteme of modern discourse is indispensable to the discussion of spatialization, and in particular, mapping.

The predominance of observation , of a reliance on empiricism, comparison, and order, is endemic to the development of western discourse, leading to West’s notion of the normative gaze .

I argue that cartographic and spatial projects of the dominant culture are an extension of these ocular metaphors, are the embodiment of the normative gaze.

Mapping, then, is perhaps the quintessential form of hegemonic surveillance; maps embody scientific observation; they measure, compare, and order our material reality, always observing geographies from a privileged and panoramic (static) ocular position; and they can reveal how the normative gaze orders and arranges racialized subjects.

Postmodern Geography and Rhetoric

Materiality and Semiosis Kristie Fleckenstein argues that meaning cannot be separated from the physical context in which it occurs. Particularly crucial to an understanding of the relationship between materiality and rhetoric is the notion that “we cannot escape place, although we can deny it and redefine it.” In this sense, she argues, meaning is not material, and neither is it semiotic; “it is both at the same time.”

Kristie Fleckenstein argues that meaning cannot be separated from the physical context in which it occurs.

Particularly crucial to an understanding of the relationship between materiality and rhetoric is the notion that “we cannot escape place, although we can deny it and redefine it.”

In this sense, she argues, meaning is not material, and neither is it semiotic; “it is both at the same time.”

Edward Soja “ The spatial fabric and texture of human societies derives from the organizational structures and social practices of societies themselves.” “ The organization of space [. . .] is not only a social product but also rebounds back to shape social relations, social practices, social life itself.” Rather than seeing “ things in space” and “ thoughts about space,” Soja envisions a “thirdspace,” where materiality and discourse are intertwined.

“ The spatial fabric and texture of human societies derives from the organizational structures and social practices of societies themselves.”

“ The organization of space [. . .] is not only a social product but also rebounds back to shape social relations, social practices, social life itself.”

Rather than seeing “ things in space” and “ thoughts about space,” Soja envisions a “thirdspace,” where materiality and discourse are intertwined.

Robert Sack A theory of territoriality reveals how “territorial and social rules are mutually constitutive.” Contends that “space has an effect on interaction and that this effect is most clearly expressed as a function of distance.” This emphasis on the interrelations between distance and power can be articulated in the following manner: “the specific place does not have power but rather [. . .] it resides in spatial relations, especially the distances, among things.”

A theory of territoriality reveals how “territorial and social rules are mutually constitutive.”

Contends that “space has an effect on interaction and that this effect is most clearly expressed as a function of distance.”

This emphasis on the interrelations between distance and power can be articulated in the following manner: “the specific place does not have power but rather [. . .] it resides in spatial relations, especially the distances, among things.”

Cartographic Rhetorics

Monmonier/Barton & Barton “ Not only is it easy to lie with maps, it’s essential.” “To portray meaningful relationships for a complex, three-dimensional world on a flat sheet of paper or video screen, a map must distort reality.” Part of Monmonier’s project in How to Lie with Maps concerns the “undue respect and credibility” afforded to maps, their position as inherently neutral, factual, representations of reality. Barton and Barton focus “on the ways in which visual signification serves to sustain relations of dominance.” Maps are “quintessentially ideological,” a form of signification that draws its power from its ability to mask its rhetorical moves, to rely on an ongoing and unquestioned assumption of facticity and legitimacy. They posit “rules of inclusion” that dictate “what aspects of a thing are mapped, and what representational strategies and devices are used to map those aspects,” and “rules of exclusion and repression,” norms that dictate what and whom to leave out, and how to minimize or repress undesirable materialities.

“ Not only is it easy to lie with maps, it’s essential.” “To portray meaningful relationships for a complex, three-dimensional world on a flat sheet of paper or video screen, a map must distort reality.”

Part of Monmonier’s project in How to Lie with Maps concerns the “undue respect and credibility” afforded to maps, their position as inherently neutral, factual, representations of reality.

Barton and Barton focus “on the ways in which visual signification serves to sustain relations of dominance.”

Maps are “quintessentially ideological,” a form of signification that draws its power from its ability to mask its rhetorical moves, to rely on an ongoing and unquestioned assumption of facticity and legitimacy.

They posit “rules of inclusion” that dictate “what aspects of a thing are mapped, and what representational strategies and devices are used to map those aspects,” and “rules of exclusion and repression,” norms that dictate what and whom to leave out, and how to minimize or repress undesirable materialities.

“ Grassroots” Project (WIDE) Grabill et al note that “the genre of the map has an immediate materiality not available to other genres, other rhetorical acts.” They stress the importance of the ways in which maps “tend to gain their power through the invisibility of their rhetorical choices.” They argue that “maps, during their construction, select certain ‘windows’ to the world, favoring one viewpoint over another,” and that “by mapping objects one is making rhetorical choices [that] encapsulat[e] the power of the map’s writer to socially construct a viewpoint; a way of looking at space selectively.” These invisible rhetorical choices can lead to “cartographic silences” (Monmonier), a mapping of space that includes strategic forms of “geographic disinformation.”

Grabill et al note that “the genre of the map has an immediate materiality not available to other genres, other rhetorical acts.”

They stress the importance of the ways in which maps “tend to gain their power through the invisibility of their rhetorical choices.”

They argue that “maps, during their construction, select certain ‘windows’ to the world, favoring one viewpoint over another,” and that “by mapping objects one is making rhetorical choices [that] encapsulat[e] the power of the map’s writer to socially construct a viewpoint; a way of looking at space selectively.”

These invisible rhetorical choices can lead to “cartographic silences” (Monmonier), a mapping of space that includes strategic forms of “geographic disinformation.”

Mapping the Projects Dead Space

Dublin, California A relatively small East Bay Area city, with a current population of approximately 39,000, 62% of whom are white. The estimated median household income is $84,300. Many of the current residents of the city moved to Dublin as a way to find more affordable housing than could be found in Bay Area cities like San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose. As such, many residents are commuters.

A relatively small East Bay Area city, with a current population of approximately 39,000, 62% of whom are white.

The estimated median household income is $84,300.

Many of the current residents of the city moved to Dublin as a way to find more affordable housing than could be found in Bay Area cities like San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.

As such, many residents are commuters.

Dublin (Bay Area View)

Dublin (Google Earth)

Dublin (Hybrid Detail)

Hickory Lane I grew up in Dublin, in a modest, middle-class home that my parents purchased in 1974 for $34,000. After they divorced in 1994, the house sold for $370,000—with just a few improvements. Currently, the house is worth approximately $735,000.

I grew up in Dublin, in a modest, middle-class home that my parents purchased in 1974 for $34,000.

After they divorced in 1994, the house sold for $370,000—with just a few improvements.

Currently, the house is worth approximately $735,000.

Hickory Lane Situated Our house faced a cul-de-sac, and our view from the backyard was of an Arroyo and industrial warehouses.

Our house faced a cul-de-sac, and our view from the backyard was of an Arroyo and industrial warehouses.

Arroyo Vista Established in 1982, the Arroyo Vista subdivision allowed low-income families access to linked single-family “homes.” Many residents of the Arroyo Vista subdivision moved to the suburban locale of Dublin in an effort to improve their quality of life over similar housing projects in larger, nearby cities like Hayward, San Leandro, and Oakland. Access to better schools, parks, and medical facilities are primary draws for people from these larger Bay Area cities. While potentially empowering the families in its area, the development also physically and socially marginalizes those same families.

Established in 1982, the Arroyo Vista subdivision allowed low-income families access to linked single-family “homes.”

Many residents of the Arroyo Vista subdivision moved to the suburban locale of Dublin in an effort to improve their quality of life over similar housing projects in larger, nearby cities like Hayward, San Leandro, and Oakland. Access to better schools, parks, and medical facilities are primary draws for people from these larger Bay Area cities.

While potentially empowering the families in its area, the development also physically and socially marginalizes those same families.

The Politics of Placement When it was established, the Arroyo Vista housing development was literally situated at the edge of the city, bordered by a busy road, and industrial warehouses. More significantly, directly across the street from the development is Camp Parks, a military reserve that has seen various states of disrepair since the end of WWII. Most troubling of all is the proximity of Santa Rita, Alameda County’s central jail, a Federal Correctional facility, and a women’s prison. Interestingly, as Dublin has grown and prospered, hegemonic spaces have actually developed around this marginalized location, causing city planners to consider measures to redevelop the land.

When it was established, the Arroyo Vista housing development was literally situated at the edge of the city, bordered by a busy road, and industrial warehouses.

More significantly, directly across the street from the development is Camp Parks, a military reserve that has seen various states of disrepair since the end of WWII.

Most troubling of all is the proximity of Santa Rita, Alameda County’s central jail, a Federal Correctional facility, and a women’s prison.

Interestingly, as Dublin has grown and prospered, hegemonic spaces have actually developed around this marginalized location, causing city planners to consider measures to redevelop the land.

Location, Location, Location Camp Parks Military Reservation, Circa 1992

Mapping Dublin (1987)

East Dublin (1987)

Minimizing Location (1994) Map Ends

Encroaching Spaces (2005)

Development and Decisions (2005)

Developmental Dead Space Arroyo Vista

Dead Space Re-Mapped Dead Space

GIS While an in-depth exploration of GIS technology is beyond the scope of this project, a basic understanding of GIS mapping can help uncover some of the rhetorical choices made by cartographers. More importantly, such an understanding can lead researchers in rhetoric and writing studies to see GIS as a heuristic for interrogating the spatio-rhetorical constructions of identity and place.

While an in-depth exploration of GIS technology is beyond the scope of this project, a basic understanding of GIS mapping can help uncover some of the rhetorical choices made by cartographers.

More importantly, such an understanding can lead researchers in rhetoric and writing studies to see GIS as a heuristic for interrogating the spatio-rhetorical constructions of identity and place.

Layering GIS maps rely on several layers of particularized data sets called polygons. Most basic GIS maps are comprised of several layers of polygons, such as shapefiles (base maps), data files, and index files, which tie these polygons together. Layers may be combined to create maps that may be strictly geographical, perform spatial analyses, or that provide geocoding information (for example, the distribution of social services agencies in a given county). I am concerned here with two main types of GIS constructions that rely on layered polygons.

GIS maps rely on several layers of particularized data sets called polygons.

Most basic GIS maps are comprised of several layers of polygons, such as shapefiles (base maps), data files, and index files, which tie these polygons together. Layers may be combined to create maps that may be strictly geographical, perform spatial analyses, or that provide geocoding information (for example, the distribution of social services agencies in a given county).

I am concerned here with two main types of GIS constructions that rely on layered polygons.

Layering (cont.) The first is called a union overlay , a layering of data sets which combines geographic features into a single output. The second, an intersect overlay , maps a geographic area wherein both (or multiple) layers retain their respective attributes. The “Dead Space” map is an example of an intersect overlay, where the base map (geography) has been overlaid with locational information (streets), shading that denotes differing landscape features, and finally the Zillow.com real estate information (geocoding).

The first is called a union overlay , a layering of data sets which combines geographic features into a single output.

The second, an intersect overlay , maps a geographic area wherein both (or multiple) layers retain their respective attributes.

The “Dead Space” map is an example of an intersect overlay, where the base map (geography) has been overlaid with locational information (streets), shading that denotes differing landscape features, and finally the Zillow.com real estate information (geocoding).

GIS and Rhetoric GIS has significant potential for theorizing the complexities of rhetoric, which is also imbued with intricate layers that coalesce in the creation of meaning. Just as the data sets that form polygons combine in incredibly complex and interconnected ways to produce the discursive particularity of GIS maps, so too is rhetoric combined and produced through the complex interactions of discursive and extraverbal factors that are always rooted in place and space. While GIS technology can help us theorize some of these layers of rhetorical meaning, the idea must be expanded further still to incorporate the seemingly limitless complexity of rhetoric.

GIS has significant potential for theorizing the complexities of rhetoric, which is also imbued with intricate layers that coalesce in the creation of meaning.

Just as the data sets that form polygons combine in incredibly complex and interconnected ways to produce the discursive particularity of GIS maps, so too is rhetoric combined and produced through the complex interactions of discursive and extraverbal factors that are always rooted in place and space.

While GIS technology can help us theorize some of these layers of rhetorical meaning, the idea must be expanded further still to incorporate the seemingly limitless complexity of rhetoric.

Rhetorical Stratigraphies An idea that grows out of the GIS heuristic to better approximate the impact of time on rhetorical constructs such as agency and identity. Stratigraphy describes the many layers of sedimentation that accumulate over time, and that comprise the material reality of a given place, its actual physical composition. In rhetorical stratigraphies, social sedimentation is layered over time, helping construct our current iterations of complex realities like discourse and subjectivity. But the term also firmly anchors such constructions in the materiality of place and space, reinforcing again the interrelations between layers of discursive, extraverbal, and material factors that merge in the confluence of meaning.

An idea that grows out of the GIS heuristic to better approximate the impact of time on rhetorical constructs such as agency and identity.

Stratigraphy describes the many layers of sedimentation that accumulate over time, and that comprise the material reality of a given place, its actual physical composition.

In rhetorical stratigraphies, social sedimentation is layered over time, helping construct our current iterations of complex realities like discourse and subjectivity.

But the term also firmly anchors such constructions in the materiality of place and space, reinforcing again the interrelations between layers of discursive, extraverbal, and material factors that merge in the confluence of meaning.

Bakhtin and Stratigraphy Bakhtin helps illuminate the idea of rhetorical stratigraphy, for his notions of utterance and heteroglossia in fact rely on an understanding of previous discursive layers, or more specifically, on socio-discursive sedimentation. He notes that the “deeper layers” of the structure of an utterance are “determined by more sustained and more basic social connections with which the speaker is in contact.” This is a key component of rhetorical stratigraphy, for earlier layers of social sedimentation do not lie forever dormant, but may be brought to the surface at any time, requiring the negotiation of rhetors who must sift through the layers that comprise subjectivities and possibilities for agency. Because this stratigraphy is rhetorical , it is necessarily dynamic.

Bakhtin helps illuminate the idea of rhetorical stratigraphy, for his notions of utterance and heteroglossia in fact rely on an understanding of previous discursive layers, or more specifically, on socio-discursive sedimentation.

He notes that the “deeper layers” of the structure of an utterance are “determined by more sustained and more basic social connections with which the speaker is in contact.”

This is a key component of rhetorical stratigraphy, for earlier layers of social sedimentation do not lie forever dormant, but may be brought to the surface at any time, requiring the negotiation of rhetors who must sift through the layers that comprise subjectivities and possibilities for agency.

Because this stratigraphy is rhetorical , it is necessarily dynamic.

Aggregation/Recombination Just as polygons of complex data sets are aggregated in the construction of GIS maps, so too are the rhetorical layers that comprise subjectivities, discourse, and Bakhtin’s idea of the utterance. He argues that meaning is not isolated, but instead “belongs to an element or aggregate of elements in their relation to the whole.” Our orientation to other people, socially, rhetorically, and spatially, helps determine how rhetorical stratigraphies are negotiated, which layers are important for a given time and social situation. Ultimately, meaning making and understanding is dependent upon our negotiation of these layers, and on our position to others who are always involved in their own negotiation of similar (yet fundamentally differing) layers of rhetorical stratigraphy.

Just as polygons of complex data sets are aggregated in the construction of GIS maps, so too are the rhetorical layers that comprise subjectivities, discourse, and Bakhtin’s idea of the utterance.

He argues that meaning is not isolated, but instead “belongs to an element or aggregate of elements in their relation to the whole.”

Our orientation to other people, socially, rhetorically, and spatially, helps determine how rhetorical stratigraphies are negotiated, which layers are important for a given time and social situation.

Ultimately, meaning making and understanding is dependent upon our negotiation of these layers, and on our position to others who are always involved in their own negotiation of similar (yet fundamentally differing) layers of rhetorical stratigraphy.

Using GIS So what? This presentation barely scratches the surface of GIS capabilities for researchers and students of writing and rhetoric. Certainly, mapping areas using intersect overlays of increasing complexity and variety can tell us much about a given location, frustrating the privileged view of city maps. More importantly, by exploring layers of meaning in geographical landscapes through techniques like geocoding, we can concomitantly explore how such physical stratigraphies are received and negotiated in the actual rhetorical stratigraphies of people living in the places we study. So, that’s a crucial next step; we need to combine panoramic analyses with “street-level” research.

So what?

This presentation barely scratches the surface of GIS capabilities for researchers and students of writing and rhetoric.

Certainly, mapping areas using intersect overlays of increasing complexity and variety can tell us much about a given location, frustrating the privileged view of city maps.

More importantly, by exploring layers of meaning in geographical landscapes through techniques like geocoding, we can concomitantly explore how such physical stratigraphies are received and negotiated in the actual rhetorical stratigraphies of people living in the places we study.

So, that’s a crucial next step; we need to combine panoramic analyses with “street-level” research.

There’s more, but…