AFROPUNK — Joining the re(Sisters)

Joy Buolamwini
Aug 31, 2018 · 5 min read

Who would have thought research on algorithmic bias and coding in a white mask would land me an invitation to share my work at AFROPUNK —a colorful celebration of music, art, and flyness? In this article you will find glimpses of the event provided by talented media makers $han and Aubry Threlkeld and my recollections of highlights from the AFROPUNK Solution Sessions where I shared my spoken word poem “AI, Ain’t I A Woman?”.

Joy Buolamwini Presenting “AI, Ain’t I A Woman?” at AFROPUNK | Credit: $han

BACKGROUND

“AFROPUNK is an influential community of young, gifted people of all backgrounds who speak through music, art, film, comedy, fashion and more. Originating with the 2003 documentary that highlighted a Black presence in the American punk scene, it is a platform for the alternative and experimental. Remaining at the core of its mission are the punk principles of DIY aesthetics, radical thought, and social non-conformity.

AFROPUNK is a voice for the unwritten, unwelcome and unheard.” — #AP

SOLUTION SESSIONS

Brittany Young using Dirt Bike Culture as Pathway into Science and Engineering

Alongside the music festival, the organizers arranged two nights of AFROPUNK Solution Sessions featuring household names like Ava Duvernay alongside seasoned activists including Tarana Burke founder of the MeToo movement and civil rights leader Linda Sarsour who co-organized the historic 2017 Women’s March. I enjoyed meeting brilliant women like Brittany Young who uses dirt bike culture in Baltimore to connect youth to careers in science and engineering through her program B-360 Baltimore.

SPEAKERS

I encourage you to learn more about the work of all of the speakers who shared their journeys.

B-360 Baltimore — Founder Brittany Young . @B360Balt

Algorithmic Justice League — Founder Joy Buolamwini . @jovialjoy

Civil Rights Activist — Organizer Linda Sarsour @lsarsour

Street Dance Activist — Shamell Bell . @shamellbell

MeToo Movement — Founder Tarana Burke . @TaranaBurke

Musician Director/Editor—Yasmin Reis . @yasminreis

Playwright and Poet — For Colored Girls Ntozake Shange . @NtozakeShange1

Black Lives Matter —CoCreator Alicia Garza . @aliciagarza

Writer, Producer Director — Ava Duvernay . @ava

Poet and Artist — Michelle Antoinette Nelson @lovethepoet

Musician and Film Director — Terence Nance . @terencenance


Bridget Todd and Tarana Burke (L-R) | Credit: $han

POWERFUL WORDS OF ACCEPTANCE

During an onstage interview, Tarana Burke spoke about embracing her daughter. “I am learning new identities everyday from my child. I believe she is polyamorous and gender fluid…however she identifies … I am happy to support because I don’t want a dead child - a child who is dead on the outside or the inside.”

RESISTANCE

“The People Resist” was the theme for this year’s AFROPUNK. Instead of only having speakers share their stories , host Bridget Todd engaged the audience in sharing their stories. In between speakers she asked members in the crowd to share examples of everyday resistance.

The People Resist Art Installation by the Afro-American Cultural Center at Yale | Credit: Aubry Threlkeld

A prison activist talked about her decades long work to free “brothers and sisters who put it all on the line in the name of resistance”. A woman who works in construction spoke about how she challenged a work place culture that encouraged derogatory comments about women on the job to create a more welcoming environment.

PERSONAL PANEL Q&A

During the panel audience members asked questions about personal challenges.

Q: “Sometimes I feel like I give everything to my activism, but the people around me give so little. How do I keep moving forward when there is no support?”

Audience member asking question | Credit: $han

Q: “How do you deal with people who attack you or are well meaning , but do not seem to have a basic understanding of structural inequality”

Q: “What do you do to rejuvenate?”

The panelists spoke about strategies for maintaining energy while doing the work.

A: “You are not alone in feeling that what you do is not enough. We can be so hard on ourselves that we forget to appreciate all that has been accomplished. Don’t forget to celebrate the wins.”

A: “Sometimes you have to send Suzy — a friend or colleague who can identify with a group or individual you are having a hard time reaching so that you can focus your time where you will be effective.” #SendSuzy — Shamell Bell

A: “Weekend Detox” “Drumming” “Bubble Baths”

AFROPUNK SOLUTIONS SESSION PANEL . Host — Bridget Todd, Shamell Bell, Yasmin Reis with Translator, Joy Buolamwini, Brittany Young (L-R) | Credit: $han

CELEBRATION

The Solution Sessions were a wonderful send off into the AFROPUNK Music Festival. Artists like Janelle Monáe and Erykah Badu reminded magnificently adorned revelers to embrace individuality and unabashed expression. My summer could not have ended on a better note.

Take Time To Celeberate | Ava Duvernay Blowing Candles | Credit: $han
The Resistance is Blinding | Joy Buolamwini, Tarana Burke, Brittany Young, Linda Sarsour, Shamell Bell (L-R)
re(Sisters) Unite | Credit: $han

Joy Buolamwini is a poet of code on a mission to show compassion through computation. Find her on twitter @jovialjoy and @ajlunited connect on LinkedIn or Facebook.

Joy Buolamwini

Written by

Founder Algorithmic Justice League. www.ajlunited.org | www.poetofcode.com | Telling stories that make daughters of diasporas dream and sons of privilege pause

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade