I wanted to give you a quick timeline on how deicer was started, why I thought it was important to make and a little bit of information about me
Who am I?
My name’s RC Concepcion. Im a photographer, author, director, and up until recently, an Assistant Teaching Professor at the Newhouse School at Syracuse University (though I think that’s coming to an end.. another DEI Casualty)
Born in the Bronx in the 70s to a Puerto Rican dad and Mexican mom. If you know anything about the South Bronx in the 70s. You know it wasn’t paradise.
But – I made it out. So thats good I guess.
(you can read more about this and why I think AI could help us here)
The Mexican Supermarket
Back in February I wrote an op ed for Syracuse.com talking about a mexican store in Geneva, NY – Hernandez Mexican Supermarket. The lady there was helping deliver groceries for immigrants that were afraid of coming out. With so much civil rights history in Central NY – I wanted to write “Is this who we are?” Well – the Facebook comments told me exactly where some stood. “The Fence Jumpers need to go. “
(you can read more about this here)
My mom was an immigrant. My entire life was shaped, molded, and supported around immigrants. Theres not an accomplishment I can ever take credit for that did not come from the support and love of immigrants. I’ve done so much – and have learned so much because of them.
I cried. Then got mad and wanted to do something about it.
Vigia –
In 9 days I made Vigia (spanish for Lookout)- an immigrant rights website to help folks understand what their rights are in the US. Ive run into so many folks that feel like the constitution only applies to citizens. After having tons of conversations like that, I figured Id make something akin to a digital red card – that can let folks know of things that are important – and I can make micro posts in there to keep people in the know. I then added this ICE pin system, hoping that folks could start using it and letting people know whats going on in their area. You didnt have to sign in – it was completely anonymous. You could even install it on your phone as a web app without an App store.
(you can read more about this here)
The most exciting part for me was making Tia Lupe (earlier version was Tia Maria, but I didnt want to mix it with the drink). She looks like my mom. This is an AI agent thats trained on information from the ACLU, SPLC, and LULAC. I figured this would be a good way for folks to get their infomration in their language.
From Vigia to DEICER
I didnt take into account that the administration would soon add international students to the mix of folks that were being harassed. At Newhouse, I always made it a point to make sure that students understood just how hard it was to perform at a Newhouse / SU level -and- have to do this in a different language. So – to me, having them be targeted made me even more upset.
(you can read more about this here)
I saw a video from Rachel Maddow that talked about how people should fight back, and how some universities were forming these Mutual Defense Compacts – a NATO of Universities. If one is targeted, all come to the defense. I thought that was very inspiring.
So, I went back and made a version of VIGIA That would have the same tools, but add a section where you can quickly scan all of the universities in these compacts. I wound up calling it DEICER. Being in Syracuse winters – who doesnt need a good DEICER.
DEICER actually stands for the DEI Community Engagement Reporter. At Newhouse I was the chair of the DEI committee. I really tried my best to raise these voices. To me, I was particularly upset that our government administration would use DEI as a scapegoat for things. Here I was, a DEI person wanting to show – we are privileged to do great things – despite working twice as hard for half as much. That was my nod to DEI – the ICE part just became a bonus.
DEICER on the App Stores
After watching a video from JB Pritzker, I was motivated by his statement “We have to make sure these folks dont get a moment of peace.” Here I was trying to silently make a difference, when there were so many folks out there wanting to stand up and be noticed and want to help. I figured the best way to give folks a chance to do that would be to reconfigure DEICER to allow Observer pins – and that folks who downloaded it from app stores would be able to take a digital stand, and be on the lookout for those who cant be out there.
While all of this was happening, it seems like things are changing for me at the university. I cant fully put my head around it – but all I can feel is that a lot of this activity seems to have changed my trajectory. Who knows what will happen there – but I figured I may as well start working on getting donations to further the project and fill all of the costs ive been incurring to get this off the ground. To me, giving this up is not an option anymore. We need to take a stand here. So – I decided to set up that donation page. Even made a special High Roller spot in the event JB Pritzker, Beyonce, or some other person would come in and fund the fight. I removed the donation stuff from the app. I just didnt feel like it was right to be sharing tools to help folks and have to wonder if they should donate. Just doesnt seem fair.
Last night, I got the message that the app was finally approved for the App Store on iOS. Now its on Android, iOS, and on deicer.org.
Taking it to where it can help
For me, the launch of it really is just a first step. It’s not enough to have an app on the store and be like “Oh, look, we can show you where ICE was.” For every video that we see on social media of whoever is behind those masks committing all sorts of atrocities – we do no service to the folks that are impacted if all we do is share their pain.
If we really want to help those folks – we could have gotten the word out to them 20 minutes prior. They would then have all of the information they needed to make their own decisions. They could have their paperwork set. They could call their lawyer. They could assert their rights. The goal is to get to these communities before their plight becomes our target practice.
This means that this tool is only as good as what we are willing to do.
First – we need to make sure everyone we know is on board to use it and willing to serve as observers – the eyes and ears for those who cant see.
Second – we need to go into these communities and tell folks to install this app and learn about their rights. We need to make a pact that says DEICER will help you be informed of your rights – and as Observers we are going to do our best to keep an eye out. If we mark ICE activity, this app will tell you, and you can decide what to do for your situation.
Woman from the Protest gave me a great idea to start making stickers to bring to communities to inform them of their rights. So im starting to work on this. I’ll make funny, serious, edgy stickers – whatever it takes to get attention. Maybe i can get several thousand, then ask social media if they want me to ship some to them to go into the communities and share the message.
We cant assume that those folks affected are going to be watching Instagram reels and TikTok feeds. We need to put boots on the ground and let these folks know they are not alone – and we are here to help. If we don’t do that, whats the point.
If you made it this far, thanks for checking it out. I don’t know where all of this is going to go – but I do now that I refuse to sit by and watch it happen. If you want to check it – go to deicer.org. If you can donate – please do so.
Thanks.
