27. April 25: Racial Computations

I. Announcements​​​

• LAST Hype presentations this week by Forrest and Ezra!
• Be prepared to share your final project next Tuesday in a small group
  
• Next Tuesday, MAY 2 is the FINAL TURN-IN deadline for the semester!​​​​

click here for syllabus

Click here for Final Project

II. semester countdown

TWO More Classes Left after Today​​​
NOTE: A placeholder "0" has been added across D2L to give you a better sense of what, if anything, you are missing (anything with "-" means we have not done that task yet)

Thursday, April 27

• Last presentations 
• Last in-class activity (the deadline for this activity will be the end of day)
• Final attendance will be configured after class

Tuesday, May 2 (12:30-1:50pm)

• Review of "final exam"
• Sharing of Final Projects
• Bagels and Last Chat
• Good-byes (please come with any last questions about grading)

Tuesday, May 2 by 11:59pm
​Final project is due and all work from submissions #6-10 must be submitted!

Tuesday, May 9: FINAL EXAM
Must be submitted on D2L by 4:30pm

III. Notes on Computational Racism

"Indifference to social reality on the part of tech designers & adopters can be even more harmful than malicious intent." ~Ruha Benjamin

---

As you listen, take notes on these issues related to race/racism/computation OR computational racism OR racial computations:

• The non-neutrality of digital tech
• The role of the humanities in digital tech
• race, Jim Code, and technology
• "race critical technology studies"

 Be prepared to work on/discuss these issues in a group and complete a google form later.

IV. Small Group Discussions + Large Class Discussion
Please have one person take notes (handwritten or emailed to me) and watch the time.

1. As a group, make a list of the issues related to racism and digital technology based on this week's readings OR Ruha Benjamin's arguments that we have listened to in class.  
2. This week's theme is called Racial Computations.  As a group, answer: what's a better name and why?
3. In this class, we also waited until the end to explore the more pernicious aspects of race and digital culture--- which has its benefits and limits. As a group, discuss what you think of this decision to wait until the end for this conversation and start the semester with Black history and culture first?
4. ​As a group, answer:  how and why do you think the term "wokeness" has a 100 year old history in Black Language and Culture... all the way up to now as a hashtag in Black Digital Culture?  What do you think of Florida's HB999 appropriating  Black language/Black activism/Black digital culture by calling itself "Stop Woke"?  

Group 1: Sarah A, Suzie, Sarah B, Josulyn (4)
Group 2: Ezra, Gabi, Taylor, Chie (4)
Group 3: James, Gregory, Rachel, Addison (4)
Group 4: Jack, Rory, Alejandro, Grace (4)
Group 5: Antonio, Sara N., Ellie, Moreau (4)
​Group 6: David, Brynn, Veer, Spencer (4)
Group 7: Bailee, Tony, Forrest, Brady (4)
​Group 8: Meghan, Sophia, Lily, Jillian (4)
Group 9: Edriana, Nicole, Emelin (3)

"House Bill 999" (Postsecondary Educational Institutions), which was approved in a 12-5 party-line vote on March 13, follows a movement in the state led by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis to limit discussions on race, gender identity and sexuality in schools. It is the latest installment in a series of similar bills that have been enacted in Florida. Last year, the governor signed into law the “Stop WOKE” Act (which is currently pending appeal), which seeks to restrict how conversations about race and gender take place at colleges and in workplaces by barring any discussion that would make people feel “guilty” or “uncomfortable” about past wrongs."

V. Closing Writing

Click Here for Link