How can mapping be a colonial exercise? How can it be a decolonial exercise? What would you like to map for our project?

 mapping can be a colonial exercise in a couple of ways that people don't often think about. When mapping there is a high chance that we can block out or forget about historical landmarks that have been covered up by new buildings, businesses, or construction that took over that spot. When mapping is being done this can happen often and be done purposefully done to eliminate/erase the past. Many who come after will not know about older buildings or areas because they are mostly hidden or covered up and not given any special landmarks with newer mapping. Also those doing mapping currently or in the future may not even know about historic landmarks. They could be covering historical landmarks up, just doing their job with no intentional harm but end up doing these colonial exercises. Now a perfect example as to how mapping can be decolonial is what Professor Minner has done. In her article "A quest to reconstruct Baltimore’s American Indian ‘reservation’" she explains how after finding out she didn't know about historic businesses and landmarks in an area she knew like the back of her hand, she worked hard to uncover the history of a place she calls 'home'. mapping and doing your best to find out the history of what buildings/ homes were on each street throughout time is an perfect example of decolonialism because you're not trying to hide/cover up any history and rather preserving it for what it has been. For our project i would love to map different community centers, restaurants, churches, and whatever else we can find honestly. Everything we find holds some type of value at the end of the day, no matter what it is.