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

  1. Slides 1-3 give a brief overview of the lesson
  2. Slides 4-9 consists of videos about Nina Simone.
  3. 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?
  4. Watch Nina Simone describing what it means to be free: 1:13-til the end (2 minutes)
  5. 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?
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. Reflection: Encourage students to share their experience doing the activity:
    • What did you learn from this activity?
    • What was challenging?