Intro to Data Activism

Objectives

  • Students will learn the definition of data activism.
  • Students will begin to see how AI can be biased.

Vocabulary

  • Data Activism, n. using data for constructive social change.

Resources

Preparation Notes

  • For the video and the article, we will complete a 3-2-1 reflection. Make sure to create an online or offline discussion board that allows students to see their classmate’s 3-2-1 responses. Here is an example of an online discussion board, Padlet. Create a free Padlet account or use another tool if you prefer.
  • Create Conversation Agreements for your class
    • When talking about identity, there can sometimes be a high degree of vulnerability that students will bring to the conversation. It is important to try as best we can to create a space that supports and celebrates personal vulnerability. To that end, it might be helpful to create some conversation agreements with the class before breaking into groups. These agreements are simple ground rules for how to interact with each other.
    • If you already have a classroom contract, or classroom agreements in your room, it might be sufficient to simply remind students of the classroom contract in this activity. If you do not, here are a few recommended agreements for the conversation:
      • Care for each other. It takes a lot to share details about yourself, and we should all care for and support each other in sharing our identities.
      • Listen to each other. People feel supported when you show you’re listening, whether that’s by saying you identify with information someone else shared, or repeating back something you heard in someone else’s Daisy that you found interesting.
      • It’s okay to feel uncomfortable. If you are feeling uncomfortable about something someone said, or some part of the activity, let your group know or let your teacher know.

Activity Steps

  1. Quick Introductions(State your name, pronouns, where you’re from, and what school you go to, grade you’re in)
  2. Icebreaker: Here is the link with the instructions for the icebreaker.
  3. Encourage students to take notes during the video
  4. Play the instructional video titled “Intro to Data Activism”. The video clip is approximately 4 minutes and 13 seconds. Here is the script and the slides (Slides 1 - 6) used in the video.
    • Pause the video for a 5 minute conversation on community norms with the entire class(10 minutes)
    • Add to Discord community norms that students want to add
  5. At the 5 minute and 46 second mark, pause the video and give students 3 minutes to think about different examples of data activism and record their answers.
    • Have students share their answers with the whole class for 3 minutes
  6. Play the video titled “Intro to Data Activism”. The video clip is from 5 minutes and 46 seconds- 7 minutes and 20 second mark
  7. At the 7 minutes and 20 second mark, pause the video and play the “AI, Ain’t I A Woman”(3 minutes) video. Click on the “AI, Ain’t I A Woman”.
    • While they are watching the video, have students take notes using the 3,2,1 framework (Give students 5 minutes)
    • After the video is over, instruct students to complete their 3,2,1
    • Once everyone completes the discussion board, everyone should discuss their answers in their small group of 10 people for 5 minutes, then in the larger group of 20 students for 5 minutes
    • Here are the main points of the video and how it relates to combining art with data visualizations to evoke empathy for minoritized communities. Ensure students discuss the following topics:
    • Art, such as spoken word poetry can be a way to share data activism
    • Bias in AI Systems: The video demonstrates how AI systems, specifically facial recognition technologies, can exhibit significant biases against women and people of color. This highlights the critical issue of biased training data and the subsequent impact on AI’s accuracy and fairness.
    • Historical Context of Bias: The title references Sojourner Truth’s famous speech, “Ain’t I A Woman?”, drawing a parallel between historical and contemporary struggles against racial and gender discrimination. This context underscores the persistence of bias across different eras and technologies.
    • Impact on Marginalized Communities: The biases in AI technologies can lead to real-world consequences for marginalized communities. These biases can perpetuate discrimination and inequality, affecting everything from hiring practices to law enforcement.
    • Accountability and Ethics in AI: The video calls for greater accountability and ethical considerations in the development and deployment of AI technologies. It stresses the
      importance of developers, companies, and policymakers being aware of and addressing potential biases in their systems.
    • Role of Advocacy and Awareness: The video itself is a form of advocacy, raising awareness about the issues of bias in AI. It encourages viewers to think critically about the technologies they use and the broader societal impacts of these technologies.
  8. Play the video titled “Intro to Data Activism”. The video clip is from 7 minutes and 23 seconds - 7 minutes and 57 seconds. Here is the script and slides (11-12) for this section of the video.
  9. At the 7 minute and 57 second mark, pause the video and play the “Ida B. Wells and the Long Crusade to Outlaw Lynching Retro Report” video(10 minutes).
  10. After the video is over, instruct students to complete their 3,2,1.
    • Once everyone completes the discussion board, everyone should discuss their answers in their small group of 10 people for 5 minutes, then in the larger group of 20 students for 5 minutes
    • Students should discuss all of the following topics: In summary, Ida B. Wells’ investigative work exemplifies the power of data activism. By meticulously gathering and analyzing data on lynching, she was able to expose injustices, shift public opinion, and advocate for legal reforms, demonstrating the enduring impact of data-driven activism in the fight for social justice.
    • The Retro Report
      • Data Collection and Analysis:Wells’ meticulous collection of data on lynching incidents can be seen as an early form of data activism. She gathered, analyzed, and published detailed accounts and statistics to expose the systemic nature of racial violence​
      • Use of Data to Drive Social Change: By publishing her findings in pamphlets and newspapers, Wells used data to inform and mobilize the public against lynching. Her work demonstrated how data could be leveraged to drive social change and hold authorities accountable​
      • Challenging Official Narratives: Wells’ data activism challenged the prevailing narratives that justified lynching as a response to crimes. Her investigations revealed that many lynching victims were innocent, thus undermining the rationale used to perpetuate such violence.
      • Building a Case for Legal Reforms: The data Wells collected helped build a compelling case for making lynching a federal crime. Although federal anti-lynching legislation was not enacted until 2022, her work laid the foundation for these efforts and showcased the importance of data in advocating for legal reforms.
  11. Play the video titled “Intro to Data Activism”. The video clip is from 7 minutes and 58 seconds - 8 minutes and 43 seconds. Here is the script and slides (13-14) for this section of the video.
  12. At the 8 minute and 43 second mark, pause the video and play the “Bryan Stevenson, Lester Holt Revisit A Painful Past To Create A Better Future NBC Nightly News” video.
    • Bryan Stevenson is a renowned civil rights lawyer and founder of EJI, dedicated to fighting racial and economic injustice.
    • His work has primarily focused on defending the poor, the wrongly condemned, and those trapped in the criminal justice system
    • The National Memorial for Peace and Justice: Stevenson created the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, to honor the victims of lynching. The memorial features over 800 steel columns hanging from the ceiling, each representing a county in the United States where a racial terror lynching occurred and the names of the victims.
    • Art as a Medium for Empathy:The National Memorial for Peace and Justice uses artistic elements such as sculptures and installations to create an emotional connection with visitors. These elements evoke empathy by humanizing the statistics and stories of lynching victims
    • Data Visualization to Inform and Educate: The Legacy Museum integrates data visualizations that display the scale and impact of racial injustice over time. These visualizations help visitors grasp the extent of the issues in a compelling and accessible way.
    • Interactive and Immersive Experiences: By combining art and data, the memorial and museum create an interactive and immersive experience that engages visitors emotionally and intellectually, fostering a deeper understanding of the historical and ongoing impacts of racial injustice
    • In summary, the video highlights how Bryan Stevenson and the EJI use a combination of art and data visualization to educate the public, evoke empathy, and drive social change by illuminating the long history and persistent reality of racial injustice in the United States.
  13. Play the video titled “Intro to Data Activism”. The video clip is from 8 minutes and 43 seconds - 9 minutes and 15 seconds. Here is the script and slides (15-16) for this section of the video.
    • Discuss this question as a large group with 20 people (5 minutes): “How has your understanding of data activism changed?”
    • Discuss this question as a large group with 20 people: “What’s the importance of using data to advocate for oppressed groups?
      • Answer to look for: Using data to advocate for oppressed groups is crucial because it provides credibility and objectivity, highlighting systemic issues and patterns of discrimination that might otherwise be overlooked. Data raises public awareness and mobilizes support by making complex issues more accessible through visualizations and statistics. It informs policy and legal reforms by guiding decision-making processes and holds institutions accountable by tracking progress and ensuring transparency. Additionally, data empowers communities by equipping them with the necessary information to advocate for their rights and mobilize for collective action.
  14. Play the video titled “Intro to Data Activism”. The video clip is from 9 minutes and 15 seconds - 10 minutes and 10 seconds. Here is the script and slides (17-18) for this section of the video.