Semester #1A

A Critical Spatial Analysis of Social and Environmental Justice Along the Wasatch Front

10/6/22

Reflection: 

Many stereotypes are harmful; however, some may have partial truths. I recently attended a distinguished faculty lecture by Adam Dastrup titled "A Critical Spatial Analysis of Social and Environmental Justice Along the Wasatch Front." Using geographic information system (GIS) and data science, Dastrup presented wealth segregation in the Wasatch Front. Financial inequality was presented visually on a map using colored circles. Those circles represented different populations of identity; the larger the circle, the greater that population's density. To the audience's dismay, we watched as the circles representing low-income households overlapped with minority households. To my surprise, I spent my entire young life in those overlaps.

After I graduated high school, I moved around Utah County and Idaho. As I met new people, "Where are you from?" would be discussed frequently. Some questioned the quality of my education in West Valley City. Others made bold and unsavory comments about the diversity. Still, others appeared genuinely concerned about the frequency of meals. These comments, ill-intentioned or not, hurt me. They felt insensitive, and I felt as if my home was stigmatized. While their comments were unwarranted, there was some truth. The funding provided to high school education in West Valley City is subpar compared to Utah County schools. There's greater diversity in West Valley, as well as poorer living conditions. The number of youth who depend on free school lunches is higher within the minority circles as well. Unfortunate circumstances such as these may also invite negative stigmas for those living there. It's important to validate the wealth disparity for minority groups, but we must not associate people in those circumstances as lesser than others. 

Dastrup did a wonderful job with this presentation. I wanted to contribute to a solution and modified my aspirations to accommodate this desire. I wish to open a clinical practice specializing in diagnosing and treating psychological disorders. I considered opening this practice in southern Utah, but I feel it best to remain here. I want to provide affordable services to those who might not otherwise have access to them. If I were to give a single piece of feedback on Dastrup's presentation, I would ask Adam to include a spatial representation of those identifying with a disability. How would those with disabilities be placed on that map? I suspect that they, too, would reside in a similar area.