Recommendation

In the age of COVID-19, you may view viruses as a lingering threat. But as contagions kill, so does sexism, classism, racism, ableism and colonialism, writes award-winning author and Princeton University professor Ruha Benjamin. She seeks to inspire you to take individualized, small-scale actions to develop new networks of care and support for those in your community. Benjamin calls on readers to work towards building a more inclusive world in which all people can thrive, not merely survive. Promote “viral justice” by committing to advance the collective good, creating spaces in which everyone feels safe to flourish.

Take-Aways

• Create “viral justice” by unlearning dominant narratives and promoting collective healing.
• Build support networks to weather the stress and physical damage caused by oppressive systems.
• Replace punitive policing with community-centered harm reduction policies.
• Advocate for educational reforms that upend status-quo curricula and disciplinary practices.
• Reimagine work; give all employees access to the social and material conditions they need to thrive.
• Confront the insidious effects of racism in the health care system.
• Pressure medical and scientific institutions to be held accountable for the damage they’ve inflicted.
• Commit to building a better world, one small, creative act at a time.

Summary

Create “viral justice” by unlearning dominant narratives and promoting collective healing.

Forms of systemic oppression, such as sexism, classism, racism, ableism and colonialism, operate much like viruses. In maintaining the “privilege” of the status quo, systems of oppression kill people and rob them of the material and social conditions they need to survive. It’s time to treat these societal “viruses” as signals that something is wrong with the status quo. When you search for opportunities to dismantle oppressive systems and build a more inclusive, caring world, you pursue “viral justice.”

“For family and friends, whose hearts are broken apart, the shattering is not only emotional but physiological; the trauma gets under the skin, into the bloodstream, making collective forms of healing and protest…so vital.”

You may worry that you’re only one person. How can you change seemingly intractable systems? Let viral justice be your rallying cry, inviting others who desire change to join you. The first step of viral justice requires you to unlearn patterns of behavior and thought that reinforce dominant narratives. Reclaim the act of dreaming; imagine the promotion of a collective good rather than perpetuating the oppressive status quo.

Build support networks to weather the stress and physical damage caused by oppressive systems.

“Weathering” is a public health concept, coined by researcher Arline Geronimus in 1992. It refers to how people physically embody the stress of living within oppressive systems. Weathering a racist climate affects everyone’s health, and contributes to racial health disparities, such as preventable illness and premature death.

“If the struggle to make ends meet is one of the principal causes of weathering, then viral justice is about creating social relations that are vivifying instead of exhausting.”

For example, in the United States, Black teenage boys are more likely to die before the age of 65 than teenage boys in Bangladesh. The health of Latinx immigrants deteriorates each generation after their families arrive in the United States. As hurricanes and storms devastate communities, acute crises on an individual level, such as job loss, eviction or the death of loved ones prove devastating. You must also weather the devastating health impacts of chronic stress, such as worrying about police brutality or watching the cost-of-living rise.

Experiencing traumatic events ages you prematurely. The cellular age of Black women is typically seven-and-a-half years older than that of their white counterparts, illustrating how trauma can shorten lifespans. All people are forced to weather the racist climate in which they live.

White people must play an active role in dismantling that climate, which affects them too. Protect yourself and others from the negative impacts of weathering: Cultivate supportive relationships, commit to practices of healing and accountability, and build networks of solidarity.

Replace punitive policing with community-centered harm reduction policies.

Sociologist Alyasah Sewell writes in her essay “Collateral Damage,” about how police surveillance negatively affects people other than those who end up behind bars. Police surveillance negatively affects the health of entire communities. Many Americans feel “hunted” by police, whom they witness engaging in acts of “licensed terror.”

These behaviors range from pepper spraying homeless people’s sleeping bags to shooting unarmed civilians. People who feel targeted by the police experience higher rates of diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure. Enact viral justice by working to dismantle a punitive policing system that unjustly targets marginalized communities, and grow communities of care in its place.

“I’m not talking about trust-building projects that seek…police reform, but rather the everyday people and institutions that help us relate to one another in life-affirming ways.”

On an individual level, reflect on your own implicit biases: To whom do you automatically award sympathy and respect? Is there anyone you dismiss or treat as less than human? In today’s society, the constant encouragement to report on those you deem suspicious using apps such as Ghetto Tracker and Nextdoor perpetuates systems of oppression.

There are 240 million calls annually to 911 to report “non-emergencies” – noise complaints and “suspicious” Black people simply existing in public. Practice viral justice by choosing a more empathetic approach to navigating community problems, and replacing punitive solutions with community-centered harm reduction systems.

Advocate for educational reforms that upend status-quo curricula and disciplinary practices.

Law professor Patricia K. Williams describes the effects of racism on the individual as a “spirit murder,” that robs people of their self-worth and dignity and creates emotional wounds. For example, teachers may fail to recognize Black students as gifted and talented, because their image of successful students is white.

Educators fail to nurture students and prevent them from authentically expressing themselves, inflicting deep wounds. Anthropologist Savannah Shange points out that while schools may embrace anti-racism on the surface – perhaps decorating hallways with images of Black scholars and artists – they nonetheless often enact racist disciplinary practices.

Researchers Dorothy Hines and Jennifer Wilmot, for example, found that schools punish Black girls more often and severely for minor infractions – such as having “too much attitude” – than they punish their white female counterparts. When schools rely on “zero-tolerance” disciplinary approaches, they damage students’ self-esteem and rob them of education and life opportunities.

“Schools in the United States and throughout much of the world reproduce existing social hierarchies. They are often engines of inequality, not opportunity.”

Embrace viral justice in the educational system by advocating for reforms at the local level.

• Replace punitive actions with “restorative practices” – Educators should aspire to display a calm and loving presence and resolve harms inflicted on students, teachers and parents.
• Prioritize recruiting and retaining teachers of color – When students have teachers of their own race, they prove more likely to excel academically.
• Update the curriculum – K-12 schools must better integrate ethnic studies and Black history into their curriculums and ensure all teachers have the training they need to properly teach these subjects.
• Hire counselors – Schools should invest in counselors to ensure young people’s emotional well-being and address trauma, rather than inviting police to walk the hallways.

Reimagine work; give all employees access to the social and material conditions they need to thrive.

As tech companies disrupt industries, gig-economy ads feature buzzwords like “flexibility,” “autonomy” and “freedom” to attract workers to precarious freelance roles with no guarantees of security. According to the US Bureau of Labor statistics, in 2017, 34% of US workers performed gig work, 1.6 million of whom worked for tech platforms such as GrubHub or TaskRabbit.

Gig workers don’t receive benefits such as health insurance, and companies can terminate them without recourse. People working minimum-wage jobs whose earnings don’t keep pace with the cost of living are also vulnerable. These so-called “essential workers” are frequently people of color.

“Reimagining the place of work in our lives also means understanding that rest, like healthy foods, clean water and fresh air, is essential.”

During the pandemic, one survey found that over half of gig workers lost their jobs, while about a quarter suffered a reduction in hours. Meanwhile, the rich got richer after COVID-19. Fifty million Americans found themselves out of work in 2020, as US billionaires saw their wealth increase by 10%.

Imagine a future in which the rich no longer devalue human labor. This would involve redistributing wealth to ensure everyone has access to “the social and material conditions necessary for living a flourishing life,” urges Kali Akuno, founder of the Mississippi grassroots initiative, Cooperation Jackson, working to create a “solidarity economy.” Akuno believes that equitable workplaces commit to being more democratic, which requires experimenting with participatory ways of organizing work and allocating funds.

Viral justice requires a perspective shift. Commit to valuing human beings as more than units of labor. This entails the end of fetishizing overwork and treating rest as a right, not a luxury.

Confront the insidious effects of racism in the health care system.

The US health care system has a long history of contributing to the institutionalized denigration of Black lives that continues today. For example, the so-called “father” of gynecology, J. Marion Sims, performed experimental surgeries on enslaved women without anesthetic. Today Black women face poorer health outcomes and face a higher risk of diabetes and obesity than their white counterparts.

Data suggests medical racism is rampant in the United States. For example, George Mason University researchers found that when white physicians care for Black babies, the death rate of these babies is three times that of white babies in their care.

“Is it any wonder that the child mortality rate in Cuba is lower despite the fact that per-capita health care spending in the US is the highest in the world?”

On an institutional level, viral justice entails pressuring physicians, medical students and medical centers to meet the needs of people of color. Push medical schools to recruit more diverse student bodies. On a community level, viral justice means white people must question their biases and take the health-related experiences of minorities seriously. If you’re a person of color, viral justice may entail confronting your own internalized oppression to overcome your fear of external judgment and remind yourself that you and your children deserve care.

Pressure medical and scientific institutions to be held accountable for the damage they’ve inflicted.

Minority groups struggle to trust dominant institutions, due to the prevalence of racism in scientific and medical communities. Black people have a history of being unwilling participants in clinical trials and medical research. For example, researchers in Tuskegee, Alabama spent 40 years studying the untreated effects of syphilis on African Americans, withholding life-saving medicine – the study ended only in 1972. In the 1990s, Johns Hopkins Kennedy Krieger Institute researchers intentionally exposed over 100 newborn Black babies and children to toxic lead paint to study abatement methods.

“From the time they are born, white babies are also paying the price for anti-Black racism in medicine, albeit not as steeply as Black infants.”

The erosion of Black trust in institutions with histories of racism is understandable, and affects white people as well. Black people, for example, struggled to trust COVID-19 researchers, leading to vaccine skepticism.

Pressure institutions to be accountable and make reparations to victims and their families. Elevate the legacy of Black scientists and researchers behind world-changing breakthroughs to dispel the myth of the “White Savior” within the scientific and medical communities.

Commit to building a better world, one small, creative act at a time.

Reimagine a better world by following these four steps.

“Dreaming is a luxury. Many people have spent their lives being forced to live inside other people’s dreams.”

• Reflect on your own biases – What harmful thought patterns hold you back from creating a world that expands possibilities and opportunities for all?
• Take micro-actions – Big, macro-level change occurs when people take small, everyday micro-level actions. For example, if you own a small business, hang an anti-racist sign to inspire change.
• Demonstrate inclusivity – Create spaces where everybody knows they’re welcome and safe, and pressure those in power to do the same. Campaign for universal housing, equitable access to education or public transportation.
• “Live poetically” – To transform oppressive systems, embrace new ways of thinking and behaving. Open yourself to creativity. Live poetically; find beauty in the ordinary and create space for divergence.

About the Author

Ruha Benjamin is professor of African-American studies at Princeton University and also authored Race After Technology and People’s Science. She serves as founding director of the Ida B. Wells JUST Data Lab, which seeks to innovate how data is created, produced and disseminated.

Review 1

“Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want” by Ruha Benjamin provides an intriguing exploration of social justice, technology, and their intersection. Benjamin, a seasoned scholar in the field, delivers a thoughtful analysis that challenges conventional thoughts on these subjects.

The Book begins with an examination of the concept of ‘viral justice,’ which Benjamin defines as the rapid and widespread dispersion of social justice, empowered by modern technologies. She cogently argues that viral justice can enable more people to engage with the cause but also warns about potential drawbacks and pitfalls, such as the risk of reducing complex issues into viral narratives.

Among the book’s strengths is its accessibility, despite dealing with heavy subjects. Benjamin demonstrates an adept ability to present complex ideas in a manner that is easily digestible for any reader, regardless of their prior familiarity with sociology or technology.

More importantly, the book emphasizes on solution-oriented thought. Benjamin encourages us to imagine a different future, with technology playing a crucial part in a wider social justice movement. Essentially, her overall theme asserts that technology is not just a tool, but it’s part of the problem and potentially, the solution.

One minor criticism is that at times, the book delves too deeply into theoretical territory, potentially losing its grip on practical, real-world implications. However, this can also be seen as a strength depending on the reader’s perspective and interest in deeper theoretical discourse.

In summary, “Viral Justice” is a potentially transformative read that invites readers to critically examine their relationship with technology and its role in societal change. Ruha Benjamin presents a compelling vision for how we might grow the world we want, blending theoretical discourse with practical suggestions for change. This book is a significant contribution to conversations surrounding social justice and technology and is a must-read for those invested in these topics.

Review 2

Sure, here is a brief review of the book Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want by Ruha Benjamin:

Viral Justice is a book by Ruha Benjamin, a professor of African American Studies at Princeton University. In the book, Benjamin argues that we need to rethink the way we think about justice. She argues that traditional notions of justice are based on a zero-sum game, where one person’s gain is another person’s loss. This approach is not sustainable, and it leads to a world that is increasingly divided and unequal.

Benjamin proposes a new approach to justice, which she calls “viral justice.” Viral justice is based on the idea that justice is not something that is given, but something that is created. It is about building a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their race, gender, class, or other identity markers.

Benjamin argues that viral justice can be achieved through a number of strategies, including:

• Investing in community-based organizations that are working to create a more just world.
• Supporting policies that promote economic equality and opportunity.
• Educating ourselves and others about the importance of justice.
• Taking action to challenge injustice whenever we see it.

Viral Justice is a thought-provoking and inspiring book that challenges us to think about justice in a new way. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to create a more just and equitable world.

Here are some of the pros and cons of the book:

Pros:

• The book is well-written and engaging.
• Benjamin provides a clear and concise explanation of her theory of viral justice.
• The book is full of insights into the challenges of achieving justice and the strategies that can be used to overcome them.

Cons:

• The book can be a bit academic at times.
• Some of the strategies that Benjamin proposes may be difficult to implement.

Overall, Viral Justice is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the importance of justice and the strategies that can be used to achieve it. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in making a difference in the world.

Review 3

“Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want” by Ruha Benjamin is a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between technology, society, and justice. Benjamin, a renowned scholar in the field of Science and Technology Studies, presents a compelling argument about the role of technology in shaping our social and political landscapes.

The book is divided into several chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of technology and justice. Benjamin uses a variety of case studies and examples to illustrate her points, making the book both engaging and informative. She discusses topics such as the use of algorithms in decision-making, the impact of technology on marginalized communities, and the potential for technology to either reinforce or challenge existing power structures.

One of the strengths of “Viral Justice” is Benjamin’s ability to make complex ideas accessible to a wide audience. She writes in a clear, concise style that is easy to understand, even for readers who may not be familiar with the technical aspects of the topics she discusses. This makes the book a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the social implications of technology.

However, “Viral Justice” is not just a critique of technology. Benjamin also offers a vision for how we can use technology to create a more just and equitable society. She argues that we need to be more mindful of the ways in which technology can be used to perpetuate inequality, and she offers practical suggestions for how we can use technology to promote justice.

Overall, “Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want” is a timely and important book that challenges us to think critically about the role of technology in our society. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, society, and justice.

Review 4

Here is my review of Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want by Ruha Benjamin:

Viral Justice is a book that challenges us to rethink how we can create a more just and joyful world in the midst of a global pandemic and a racial reckoning. The author, Ruha Benjamin, is a professor of African American Studies at Princeton University and a leading scholar on race, technology, and justice. Drawing from her personal experiences and her academic research, she shows how seemingly minor decisions and habits can have viral effects that can transform our relationships and communities.

The book is divided into eight chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of viral justice, such as weather, hunted, lies, grind, exposed, trust, and la casa azul. In each chapter, Benjamin shares stories from her own life and those of her family members, as well as examples from history and current events, to illustrate how racism and injustice affect various domains of society, such as health, education, work, media, and politics. She also introduces us to activists and organizers who are working to create alternative models of mutual aid, collective healing, and democratic participation. She argues that viral justice is not only about resisting oppression, but also about cultivating joy and hope.

The book is written in a clear and engaging style, with a mix of humor, emotion, and analysis. Benjamin uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey her ideas and insights. She also uses various formats and genres to present her data and arguments, such as graphs, tables, poems, songs, tweets, and memes. The book is accessible and relevant to a wide range of readers who are interested or concerned about the current social and political situation in the world.

Viral Justice is a book that inspires us to imagine and act on the possibilities of viral justice in our everyday lives. It offers a passionate, practical, and hopeful vision of how we can grow the world we want—one small change at a time.

Review 5

“Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want” by Ruha Benjamin is a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of the intersection of technology, social justice, and activism. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into the core themes, strengths, and potential limitations of the book.

Summary:
“Viral Justice” delves into the potential and pitfalls of using digital technologies to advance social justice causes. Ruha Benjamin examines how the rise of digital platforms, algorithms, and data analytics can either perpetuate inequalities or serve as tools for transformative change. The book explores how technological systems can replicate and amplify social biases, and offers insights into ways they can be harnessed to challenge systemic injustices.

Key Themes:

• Technology and Social Inequities: Benjamin critically examines how technological systems can inadvertently reinforce existing social inequities, often leading to discriminatory outcomes.
• Algorithmic Bias: The book delves into the hidden biases embedded in algorithms, shedding light on how these biases can exacerbate disparities in areas like criminal justice, healthcare, and employment.
• Digital Activism: “Viral Justice” highlights examples of grassroots digital activism that have harnessed technology to mobilize movements, amplify marginalized voices, and effect positive change.
• Ethical Design: The book emphasizes the need for ethically designed technologies that prioritize fairness, transparency, and inclusivity.

Strengths:

• Interdisciplinary Approach: Benjamin seamlessly integrates insights from sociology, technology studies, and critical race theory, providing a holistic perspective on the subject.
• In-Depth Analysis: The author’s meticulous examination of the challenges posed by technology, combined with her exploration of potential solutions, offers readers a nuanced understanding of the issues.
• Real-World Examples: The book provides concrete case studies and real-world examples to illustrate its arguments, making complex concepts accessible to a wide audience.
• Empowerment: Benjamin empowers readers by showcasing the agency individuals and communities have in shaping technological narratives and demanding equitable solutions.

Potential Limitations:

• Complexity: The book deals with intricate issues related to technology, inequality, and activism, which may require readers to engage deeply to grasp the nuances fully.
• Focus on Challenges: While the book emphasizes the challenges of technology’s impact on social justice, readers might desire more extensive exploration of potential solutions and success stories.

Overall Impact:
“Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want” is a thought-provoking and essential read that navigates the complex terrain of technology’s influence on social justice. Ruha Benjamin’s insightful analysis challenges readers to critically consider how technology can both perpetuate and combat societal inequalities.

Final Thoughts:
Ruha Benjamin’s “Viral Justice” serves as a compelling call to action, urging readers to be vigilant in ensuring that technology serves justice rather than exacerbating disparities. By combining thorough research, thought-provoking analysis, and real-world examples, the book equips readers with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the evolving digital landscape while striving for a more equitable world.

Review 6

Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want by Ruha Benjamin is a thought-provoking and timely book that delves into the intersection of technology, social justice, and activism. Benjamin, a renowned scholar and sociologist, presents a compelling argument for the need to critically examine the impact of technology on society and to actively work towards creating a more just and equitable world.

The book begins by exploring the concept of “viral justice” and how it can be harnessed to address systemic inequalities. Benjamin argues that technology, particularly social media platforms, has the potential to amplify social movements and bring about positive change. However, she also highlights the dangers of relying solely on technology without considering the underlying power structures and biases that shape its development and use.

Throughout the book, Benjamin provides numerous examples and case studies to illustrate her points. She examines how algorithms and artificial intelligence can perpetuate discrimination and reinforce existing inequalities. She also explores the ways in which technology can be used as a tool for surveillance and control, particularly in marginalized communities.

One of the strengths of Viral Justice is Benjamin’s ability to present complex ideas in a clear and accessible manner. She avoids jargon and uses relatable examples to engage readers from various backgrounds. Additionally, she offers practical suggestions and strategies for individuals and communities to actively participate in shaping the future of technology and ensuring its alignment with social justice goals.

Another notable aspect of the book is Benjamin’s emphasis on the importance of collective action and community organizing. She argues that true change cannot be achieved through individual efforts alone but requires collaboration and solidarity. By highlighting the successes and challenges faced by various social movements, Benjamin inspires readers to become active participants in the fight for justice.

While Viral Justice provides a comprehensive analysis of the intersection of technology and social justice, some readers may find the book’s focus on systemic issues overwhelming. Benjamin’s exploration of the complexities of technology and its impact on society can be dense at times, requiring careful attention and reflection.

In conclusion, Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want is a thought-provoking and insightful book that challenges readers to critically examine the role of technology in shaping our society. Ruha Benjamin’s expertise in the field shines through as she presents a compelling argument for the need to actively engage with technology to create a more just and equitable world. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, social justice, and activism.

Review 7

Sure, here is a brief review of the book Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want by Ruha Benjamin:

Viral Justice is a book about the potential of small, everyday actions to create positive change. The book is written by Ruha Benjamin, a professor of African American studies at Princeton University.

Benjamin argues that we need to shift our focus from large-scale, top-down solutions to more grassroots, bottom-up approaches. She calls this approach “viral justice,” and she argues that it is more likely to be successful in the long run.

Benjamin supports her argument with a number of case studies, from the Black Lives Matter movement to the fight for reproductive justice. She shows how these movements have been able to achieve significant change by focusing on small, everyday actions.

Benjamin also addresses the challenges of viral justice. She acknowledges that it can be difficult to sustain momentum and that it is often met with resistance from those in power. However, she argues that the potential rewards are worth the effort.

Viral Justice is a thought-provoking and inspiring book that offers a new way of thinking about social change. Benjamin’s argument is persuasive, and her case studies are compelling. The book is a must-read for anyone who wants to make a difference in the world.

Here are some of the pros and cons of the book:

Pros:

• The book is well-written and engaging.
• Benjamin’s argument is persuasive and supported by a number of case studies.
• The book is a must-read for anyone who wants to make a difference in the world.

Cons:

• The book can be a bit academic at times.
• Some of the case studies are complex and may be difficult to follow for some readers.

Overall, Viral Justice is a thought-provoking and inspiring book that offers a new way of thinking about social change. The book is a must-read for anyone who wants to make a difference in the world.

Review 8

Here is my brief review based on the results:

[Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want] by [Ruha Benjamin] is a powerful and personal book that explores how we can create a more just and joyful world by making small changes in our everyday lives. The author, a sociologist and activist, draws on her own experiences and those of her family and community to show how racism, inequality, and injustice affect our bodies, relationships, and institutions, but also how we can resist and transform them through individual and collective actions.

The book is divided into three parts: Body, Community, and Society. In each part, the author shares stories that illustrate the challenges and opportunities of living in a world shaped by racial capitalism and pandemic. She also introduces us to various movements and initiatives that are working to foster mutual aid, healing, solidarity, and justice. Some of the topics she covers are:

• How her father’s premature death from a heart attack reveals the impact of chronic stress and trauma caused by racism on Black people’s health and well-being.
• How her brother’s incarceration exposes the violence and injustice of the criminal justice system and how his family and friends mobilize to support him and demand accountability.
• How her own struggles as a young mother highlight the disparities and dangers of the health care system for Black women and babies and how she benefits from the care of doulas and midwives.
• How she copes with the COVID-19 pandemic and its disproportionate effects on Black communities by engaging in online activism, virtual learning, and creative expression.
• How she envisions a viral justice that spreads through small acts of kindness, generosity, empathy, and courage that can inspire larger changes in society.

The book is well-written, well-researched, and well-argued, with clear and compelling examples and evidence. The book is not only a historical analysis, but also a passionate manifesto for social change. The book is highly relevant for today’s world, where racism, inequality, and injustice are still pervasive and urgent issues. The book is a valuable contribution to the field of sociology and a stimulating read for anyone interested in race, justice, and equity.

In summary, [Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want] by [Ruha Benjamin] is a remarkable and inspiring book that shows how we can build a more just world—one small change at a time. The book is a testament to the author’s wisdom, courage, and hopefulness. The book is a challenge to us all to live more poetically and more politically.