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The Digital Transformation and Modern Indentured Servitude | IEEE Technology and Society

Jeremy Pitt
June 22, 2022

The Digital Transformation and Modern Indentured Servitude | IEEE Technology and Society

Jeremy Pitt
June 22, 2022
It has become increasingly conventional to open a workshop or conference with an acknowledgment of the country, as an appropriate gesture of recognition for the traditional owners of the land hosting the event. During and post-pandemic, with the prevalence of virtual events, it is quite likely that someone, somewhere, will be connecting from land no longer “belonging” (in a purely base, legalistic sense) to the traditional keepers.

Therefore, the acknowledgment of the country serves a significant purpose in raising awareness and drawing attention to a deep injustice that persists to this day, with the hope that it will one day be redressed [1]. An honest appraisal of history, and an understanding of where wealth was extracted and privilege established, is an important prerequisite to establishing a more equitable world, as opposed to fabricating a “war on woke” on those that have the temerity to challenge an orthodox, white-washed account of colonial exploitation, oppression or atrocities (see [2], [3]).

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Source: The Digital Transformation and Modern Indentured Servitude | IEEE Technology and Society