Drones for Social Justice: The africanDRONE Story
By Gbemisola Esho
Egalitarianism (from French égal ‘equal’), or equalitarianism, is a school of thought within political philosophy that builds from the concept of social equality, prioritising it for all people. Egalitarian doctrines are generally characterised by the idea that all humans are equal in fundamental worth or moral status and should be accorded exactly equal rights.
The quote “all men are created equal” has also been postulated by the founding fathers of America in the declaration of independence, echoing the great philosopher John Locke known for his theory “Of Locke Theory.”
Social Inclusion is the bedrock of the equality of man, validating its truth; sadly, those words only exist in space. This is because all around the world, for men all born of women to assent to these words and act accordingly has been found wanting.
Drone Journalism and Inequality
Johnnie Miller is the co-founder of africanDRONE, a not-for-profit drone pioneer across Africa.
His mission is to use drones for good propagating and evangelizing with drones with what he terms Drone Journalism.
“ Drone journalism is the use of drones as a primary source of storytelling in the context of journalistic practice, ethics and principles,” says Johnnie as he shared images taken by his drones at an event organised with Code for Africa on the 1st of September 2022 in Lagos, Nigeria.
The photos have validated the systematic social and racial inequality that exists in quite a several communities, cities and countries around the world. It has challenged the status quo and received different responses from viewers.
The above image taken by Johnnie with his drone is of Johannesburg, South Africa, which had been under an Apartheid regime declared that after the regime collapsed that all was well at home, and equal rights and opportunities were offered to all, but this picture speaks more than a thousand words.
It captured the living conditions of the two different suburbs inhabited by different races.
Drone Mapping
Drones are easily the solution to help solve the mapping problems in Africa because of the aerial view and spatial resolutions provided in the drone images. Mapping helps make service delivery easier; for example, fertilizer delivery for agriculture and blood delivery to hospitals from blood banks are critical in disaster recovery and supports the SDGs.
Drone journalism has come to stay and is confined or colonised, being democratic. More African governments are adopting drones for different services, which are cheaper. Drone journalism also finds a place in art and photography.
Participants in the training had questions about the type of drones to use, getting licences and drone communities to join.
For more info on drones, journalism reach Johnnie on Twitter @africanDRONE on Instagram @johnny_miller_photography
Photo reel of events with participants and staff of Code4Africa.
