Reenvisioning AI

Objectives:

Students will explain how categories of race were socially constructed as a method of controlling slaves and perpetuating the institution of slavery.
Students will begin to trace the evolution of racial hierarchy after emancipation.

Resources:

Activity Steps

Slides 1-3 give a brief overview of the lesson
Slides 4-9 consists of videos about Nina Simone.
Have students watch: “How Nina Simone Became the High Priestess of Soul” (10 minutes):
- While students are watching the video, have them answer the following questions:
  - How was Nina Simone’s life affected by Jim Crow Laws when she was young and older?
  - How did Nina Simone use her music as a form of activism? Can you think of a specific example?
  - How did her activism encourage the civil rights movement?
Watch Nina Simone describing what it means to be free: 1:13-til the end (2 minutes)
Listen to: “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoU4YCNt3OM” (10 minutes)
- While students are watching the video, have them answer the following questions:
  - How do you think African Americans felt during that time because of Jim Crow laws?
  - Why does Nina Simone not feel free?
  - Based on the song title, “I wish I knew how it would feel to be free”, what type of music choices did she make in order to show how she felt about the civil rights movement?
  - Did this song inspire you? If so, how did it inspire you?
  - Nina describes freedom as being fearless. What does it mean to be free
  - When was the last time you felt free?
  - Can you describe a specific example?
  - In what ways in your life are you not free or felt controlled?
  - Have you ever not felt free? Have you ever felt discriminated against?
Slides 13- 21 consists of different examples of people using data science to mitigate systemic oppression. Here are a few examples about how people are using data science to mitigate systemic oppression.
- Here is the link to a document that contains the description slides 13-21
Block Printing:
- Slides 21-28 consists of the instructions for block printing. Students will create a block print that answers the following question “How do you envision data science being used to support marginalized groups?” Here are a few pointers:
- If you don’t have tracing paper, you can use white printer paper to transfer your design onto the block.
- Slide 26 contains a video tutorial about block printing. Watch video about block printing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGwvJCZoCPU&t=252s
Reflection: Encourage students to share their experience doing the activity:
- What did you learn from this activity?
- What was challenging?