Strange Inequalities: BIPOC & Working Classes vs. Near-Future Automated Oppression

Presented by Stephani Maari Booker, with talent provided by RARE Productions

Saturday, Aug. 10, 7-9 pm, Minneapolis Urban League, 2100 Plymouth Ave. N., Minneapolis

and Saturday, Aug. 24, 7-9 pm, Capri Theater, 2027 W. Broadway Ave., Minneapolis

Artificial intelligence. Digital surveillance. Killer robot cops! The future is here, and it’s so bright it burns. Modern technological advances are being used to automate and perpetuate systemic biases such as racism, sexism, ableism and classism. Now is the time to recognize this threat to Black, Indigenous and People of Color, the working classes and other marginalized groups. Now is the time to resist the near-future of automated oppression.

2024 McKnight Foundation Fellow Stephani Maari Booker is presenting an artist and writers’ response and resistance to automated oppression. She will read from her near-future science fiction collection Strange Inequalities and will host three other artists who will offer their own work in response to and resistance of automated oppression. The artists will be provided courtesy of RARE Productions, a Minneapolis-based arts organization for queer and trans artists of color.

This event is free and open to the public. The event will be video recorded and posted on the Athena Persephoni YouTube channel. Light refreshments will be provided. American Sign Language interpretation will be offered. For more information, call 612-287-0940 or go to www.athenapersephoni.com.

Stephani Maari Booker is a fiscal year 2024 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature; and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.