AP African American Studies Unit 8

Reading and Writing Workshop

Unit 8 SAQ

Unit 8 dbq

Unit Plan

Contemporary African American Culture and Politics

Activities

Teaching with E.L.O.N.  (Enriched Learning Opportunity Nexus) that seamlessly integrates AI 

Unit 
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Unit Overview
This unit will explore the ongoing influence and impact of African Americans in contemporary culture, politics, and society, focusing on the post-Civil Rights era to the present. Students will analyze the contributions of African Americans in various fields, including art, music, literature, sports, activism, and politics. The unit will also examine the challenges African Americans face today, including issues related to race, systemic inequality, and political participation.
Unit Duration
4 Weeks (20 lessons)


Week 1: Contemporary African American Culture: Art, Music, and Literature
Learning Objectives:

• Understand the cultural contributions of African Americans in contemporary society.
• Analyze the significance of African American artists, musicians, and writers in shaping modern culture.
• Explore the role of African American culture in global artistic movements.

Key Topics:

1. African American Influence in Music
   • Evolution of African American music from the Civil Rights era to contemporary genres (e.g., jazz, hip-hop, R&B, gospel).
   • Key figures: Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, and others.
   • Impact of hip-hop on culture, politics, and social issues.
2. African American Literature and Poetry
   • Contemporary African American authors: Ta-Nehisi Coates, Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, Claudia Rankine.
   • Themes of race, identity, and social justice in modern literature.
3. Visual Arts and Theater
   • The role of African American artists in modern visual art (e.g., Kehinde Wiley, Kara Walker, and others).
   • African American contributions to theater, including Broadway shows like Hamilton and works by playwrights like August Wilson.

Activities:

• Discussion: Analyze the cultural impact of hip-hop and contemporary literature on African American identity.
• Project: Research and present on a contemporary African American artist or musician.

Week 2: African American Political Participation and Leadership
Learning Objectives:

• Examine the evolution of African American political involvement since the Civil Rights Movement.
• Analyze the political impact of African American leaders in local, state, and national politics.
• Understand the role of African American voter engagement and activism.

Key Topics:

1. African American Political Leadership
   • Key political figures: Barack Obama, Stacey Abrams, Kamala Harris, and others.
   • The election of Barack Obama and its significance for African American politics.
   • The rise of African American women in political leadership roles.
2. Voter Rights and Voter Suppression
   • The fight for voting rights post-Civil Rights Act (e.g., the 2000 election and voter ID laws).
   • Ongoing challenges such as gerrymandering, disenfranchisement, and voter suppression.
   • The role of organizations like Fair Fight and the NAACP in fighting voter suppression.
3. Political Movements and Activism
   • The rise of Black Lives Matter and its influence on politics and policy.
   • African American influence on policies such as criminal justice reform and affirmative action.

Activities:

• Debate: How has African American political participation changed in the 21st century?
• Research Paper: Explore the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement on local and national politics.

Week 3: African Americans in Sports and Entertainment
Learning Objectives:

• Understand the significance of African American athletes and entertainers in shaping modern culture.
• Explore how African Americans use sports and entertainment platforms for social and political advocacy.
• Analyze the intersection of race and media representation in the entertainment industry.

Key Topics:

1. African Americans in Professional Sports
   • The history and contemporary influence of African American athletes in sports like basketball, football, and track and field.
   • Notable figures: LeBron James, Serena Williams, Colin Kaepernick, Simone Biles.
   • The role of sports as a platform for political activism and racial justice.
2. Representation in Entertainment
   • The impact of African American actors, directors, and producers on Hollywood (e.g., Jordan Peele, Ava DuVernay, Will Smith).
   • The significance of African American representation in films, television, and media.
3. Activism through Sports and Entertainment
   • The role of athletes in advocating for racial justice (e.g., kneeling during the national anthem).
   • African American entertainers' role in addressing societal issues through music, film, and social media.

Activities:

• Case Study: Analyze the activism of Colin Kaepernick and its impact on the NFL and broader society.
• Discussion: How does African American representation in the media influence public perceptions of race?

Week 4: Contemporary Issues Facing African Americans
Learning Objectives:

• Identify and analyze the ongoing challenges facing African Americans in the areas of criminal justice, education, and economic inequality.
• Understand the significance of grassroots movements and contemporary forms of activism.
• Explore African American perspectives on national issues such as healthcare, wealth inequality, and police reform.

Key Topics:

1. Criminal Justice and Mass Incarceration
   • The impact of mass incarceration on African American communities.
   • Key figures and movements advocating for reform (e.g., Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow, the Innocence Project).
2. Economic Inequality and Employment Disparities
   • The racial wealth gap and its historical roots.
   • African American participation in the workforce and the challenges of economic mobility.
3. Education and Healthcare Inequities
   • Disparities in education and access to quality schools in African American communities.
   • Health disparities: the impact of race on healthcare access and outcomes, especially in the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. The Rise of Contemporary Activism
   • The role of digital media in organizing and spreading African American activism (e.g., Twitter, Instagram).
   • Key movements: Black Lives Matter, economic justice campaigns, and environmental justice.

Activities:

• Documentary Viewing and Reflection: Watch a documentary such as 13th by Ava DuVernay or The Black Power Mixtape and discuss its portrayal of African American challenges and activism.
• Essay: Write about one contemporary issue facing African Americans today and propose potential solutions.

Assessment & Evaluation:

1. Mid-Unit Quiz (Week 2): Focus on African American political participation and leadership.
2. Final Project (Week 4): Present a comprehensive analysis of a contemporary African American figure in culture, politics, or activism.
3. Class Participation: Engage in discussions, debates, and group projects throughout the unit.

Suggested Readings and Resources:

• Books: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander.
• Documentaries/Films: 13th (Netflix), The Black Power Mixtape, When They See Us.
• Websites: NAACP (www.naacp.org), Black Lives Matter (www.blacklivesmatter.com).
• Music: Songs by Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, and Janelle Monáe as cultural touchstones.

This unit will allow students to explore the complex and evolving relationship between African Americans and contemporary American society, highlighting the significant impact of African Americans in shaping the nation’s culture and politics.

​The following activities include AI tools that enhance student engagement, provide data-driven insights, and facilitate personalized learning. ​
​1. Analyzing Media and Cultural InfluenceObjective: Students will analyze how contemporary African American culture, including art, music, film, and literature, shapes modern media and public discourse. They will explore the ongoing influence of African American culture in global pop culture and politics.

• Activity:
  • AI Task: Use AI to analyze the representation of African American figures in modern media (movies, music videos, news articles, etc.). Students will input relevant text or media snippets into an AI tool that can identify themes, tones, and cultural references. AI can also assist in highlighting disparities or biases in these representations.
  • Discussion: Students will reflect on the impact of African American culture on shaping global trends (e.g., hip-hop culture, Black Lives Matter movement in media).
  • Deliverable: A comparative analysis of different media outlets’ portrayal of African American culture in a contemporary context, focusing on both positive portrayals and stereotypes.

2. Social Media and Political EngagementObjective: Explore the role of African Americans in modern political movements, particularly through the lens of social media and digital activism.

• Activity:
  • AI Task: Students use AI-driven tools (e.g., sentiment analysis software) to examine social media posts, hashtags, or speeches by African American activists (e.g., movements like Black Lives Matter). They will analyze public opinion surrounding these movements using AI to track the sentiments over time.
  • Discussion: Discuss how digital platforms have transformed African American political activism and its intersection with contemporary political movements.
  • Deliverable: A report that outlines trends in digital activism among African Americans, reflecting on how social media serves as a tool for change.

3. Mapping Political RepresentationObjective: Investigate the representation of African Americans in contemporary politics at the local, state, and national levels.

• Activity:
  • AI Task: Students use AI-based tools such as geographic information systems (GIS) to map African American political representation across the United States. AI can help create data visualizations and track the rise of African American politicians, including those in executive positions.
  • Discussion: Students will analyze the influence of African American politicians on legislative agendas and social justice policies.
  • Deliverable: A presentation or report on the geographic and political trends of African American representation in politics, along with a reflection on the challenges faced by African American politicians.

4. The Role of African American Women in PoliticsObjective: Examine the rise and influence of African American women in contemporary politics and their impact on culture and policies.

• Activity:
  • AI Task: Use AI to research African American women in politics (e.g., Kamala Harris, Stacey Abrams, Condoleezza Rice) by inputting key speeches or articles into an AI-based text analyzer that identifies themes, impact, and key moments.
  • Discussion: Analyze how the visibility of African American women in political positions challenges gender and racial expectations in American politics.
  • Deliverable: A paper or infographic highlighting key milestones and challenges faced by African American women in contemporary politics.

5. Future of African American Political MovementsObjective: Students will analyze the trajectory of African American political movements, particularly focusing on the future and the role of technology in shaping activism.

• Activity:
  • AI Task: Use AI tools (like predictive modeling) to examine data on past and present African American political movements. Students will input historical data on protests, voter turnout, and policy changes to predict future political trends.
  • Discussion: Students will debate the possible future of African American political movements in the digital age, considering the impact of AI and other technologies on political activism.
  • Deliverable: A research paper forecasting the future of African American political engagement, incorporating AI-generated predictions and historical data.

6. AI and the African American ExperienceObjective: Reflect on how artificial intelligence might shape the future of African American culture, politics, and social justice.

• Activity:
  • AI Task: Students research the ethical considerations of AI, particularly regarding issues such as racial bias in AI systems. They can input data on the racial disparities seen in AI models (e.g., facial recognition, policing algorithms) and how these systems affect African American communities.
  • Discussion: Discuss potential policy solutions to reduce racial bias in AI and ensure that African American communities benefit equitably from technological advancements.
  • Deliverable: A proposal for policies to address racial bias in AI, accompanied by a short presentation explaining the impact of AI on African American society.

7. Contemporary African American Artists and ActivismObjective: Investigate how African American artists use their platform for activism and cultural influence in contemporary society.

• Activity:
  • AI Task: Use AI to analyze the lyrics of contemporary African American musicians (e.g., Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, Janelle Monáe) and identify recurring themes such as race, identity, and social justice. AI tools can assist in breaking down the linguistic features of the music to identify political messages.
  • Discussion: Reflect on the role of artists in challenging political and social norms and advancing the African American cultural narrative.
  • Deliverable: A report or creative project that highlights the work of contemporary African American artists, focusing on the intersection of their music/art with political activism.

These activities integrate AI tools to enhance students' understanding of contemporary African American culture and politics, offering both analytical and creative exploration while promoting critical thinking and discussion.