Dominica’s private school is covered in cameras, and someone is hacking into them and posting embarrassing moments for the whole school to see. Like Ana picking her nose. When Dominica quickly changes her shirt from inside out in what she thinks is the privacy of a quiet corner in the library, she’s shocked — and embarrassed — to discover a video has captured this and is currently circulating amongst her schoolmates. So mortifying, especially since over the past three years, they’ve had a half-dozen school talks about social media safety.
Who has access to the school security cameras and why are they doing this? Dominica and her best friends, Holden and Saanvi, are determined to find out, and in the process start an art-based student campaign against cameras in the classroom.
I turn toward the wall and the camera and reach as high as I can underneath the lens. … The squeak of the marker … seems extra-loud, but I keep going. … One more time, I scan up and down the hallway. Completely clear.
(Kyi, Me and Bansky 2020)
Dominica Rivers attends the Mitchell Academy (also informally known as the Mitch), headed by security fanatic Principal Plante, who, among other things, created the new school motto: “Securitas genera victoria”, security breeds success. Once inappropriate videos begin appearing on the Mitch student forums, taken from school security cameras. These videos were shared without the consent of the victims and brought massive embarrassment to the victims. Dom then retaliates with graffiti of a squirrel, under it a caption “THE PANOPTICON”, bringing to public interest that privacy is more important than security. After the squirrel, she decides to begin a public version on the night of the school’s open house to bring this to the attention of all parents. Eventually, Mrs. Plante is arrested for accessing Dom’s computer account, and is pushed to resign, so that the ethics teacher is appointed as the acting head of the school.
The book entertains the notion that our technological advance is not the forever goodness that we believe it is, for that it helps all, but has several downsides. The eventual close of the story (Chapter 20) brings Ms. Sutton, teacher of ethics, starting a debate on privacy and security. At the end, “the voices in favour of classroom privacy far outweigh those in favour of security.” (Kyi, 2020)
Many computers have cameras, but does the ability of being able to contact friends and family outweigh stalking others via their webcam without their consent? Does the ability of voice control outweigh recording the sounds around one’s computer? Does the ability to open your door’s lock outweigh lockpicks simply being a phone which hijacks your door’s code? This book questions the idea of computers bearing the confidence we have placed in them. It argues that each good we have gained comes with a great sacrifice.
This book questions many ideas about ethics, privacy, and security. It has questioned many ethical ideas that are beneficial to all that read it and has earned my testimonial.
— Sixth-Grader
Me and Banksy is a very interesting book. It shows a journey of a young girl who loves art. Especially this street artist who is called Banksy. The plot line is about a girl who has a video of here doing something weird. The videos of other people making mistakes grow on a school platform where you share things. With these videos getting posted the main character starts making art on the school walls to spread awareness. It is a little bit of a long book but i still love the way they right it. It also show how it can affect your life to only know one of your parents. I recommend this book to strong readers who like a little bit of trouble making in their journey.