A new VR experience raises awareness of racism's effects. The immersive VR program, 1,000 Cut Journey, is now available for free download and aims to help users understand the emotional and physical toll of racism. Developed by the Columbia University School of Social Work and Stanford's Virtual Human Interaction Lab, the program allows users to experience simulated instances of racism at different ages. - The program is not intended for entertainment but rather as an educational tool to expose the pervasive nature of racism in various aspects of life.
- The 1,000 Cut Journey allows users to embody different avatars and experience other forms of simulated racism, showcasing the cumulative harm caused by systemic racism.
- The program has been adapted to run on the Meta Quest platform, making it accessible to a broader audience.
- The University of Michigan Center for Academic Innovation was critical in the conversion process.
- Research suggests that when combined with anti-racism education, the program increases awareness of racism's harms and encourages open discussions.
VR simulations foster empathy by allowing users to experience homelessness, pregnancy, disabilities, autism, and diverse racial perspectives, says Santa Clara University professor Erick Jose Ramirez. |
