EXPOSED by Sharon Daniel is a powerful example of digital literature that utilizes interactive media, personal narratives, and audio features to create an extremely compelling and immersive critique of systemic injustice and mass incarceration during the challenging times of COVID-19. The media artist and activist created a data driven network highlighting the voices of incarcerated individuals during the global pandemic. The interactive documentary can be accessed online through a website. It is open access and readily available to explore. The work is designed for laptop specific devices as some of the functions, such as clicking through testimonies, aren’t as easily accessible on mobile devices. Users engage with the media through an interactive timeline interface combining personal narratives, data visualization, and audio testimonies. She provides written statements and audio testimonies from the individual inmates day by day. Navigation can be done at the readers preferred pace. The medium of the digital format allows for Sharon Daniels broader practice of activism to shine through as it highlights societal injustices. My personal experience as I read through the emotional project made me feel like a witness to the injustices described and made me strive to make change. Lucky for any reader in the same position as me, there is a specific “What We Can Do” section dedicated to pursuing the call of action, with individual links to ways to help the cause.

Avry O’Brien, Professor Melinda White’s “Digital Literature.” University of New Hampshire, Spring 2025.