elpais.com
AI Recreates Faces of Enslaved Africans in Brazil, Exposing Hypocrisy of 1831 Law
An exhibition in São Paulo uses AI and descriptions by abolitionist Luiz Gama to reconstruct the faces of enslaved Africans in Brazil (1862-1866), exposing the hypocrisy of Brazil's 'lei para inglês ver' (law for the English to see) and highlighting the ongoing struggle for racial justice.
- How did Luiz Gama's actions expose the failure of Brazil's 1831 law prohibiting the slave trade, and what are the immediate implications of this revelation?
- An exhibition in São Paulo uses AI to recreate the faces of enslaved Africans based on descriptions by the abolitionist Luiz Gama. These descriptions, from 1862-1866, highlight the hypocrisy of Brazil's 'lei para inglês ver' (law for the English to see), which nominally outlawed the slave trade but was widely ignored. Gama, working as a clerk, used legal loopholes to free many.
- What specific legal strategies did Luiz Gama employ to free enslaved Africans, and how did these strategies interact with the broader socio-political context of Brazil at the time?
- The exhibition connects the AI-generated portraits to broader patterns of systemic racism and legal loopholes in 19th-century Brazil. Gama's actions demonstrate the continued resistance to slavery despite official pronouncements of abolition. The project underscores the lasting impact of slavery and the ongoing struggle for racial justice.
- What are the long-term implications of using AI to reconstruct the identities of individuals who were denied personhood under slavery, and how might this technology inform future historical research and social justice initiatives?
- This exhibition foreshadows future uses of AI in historical recovery and the potential for technological tools to address historical injustices. The project's focus on individual stories humanizes the impact of slavery, counteracting the dehumanization inherent in the institution. Future research could explore similar projects in other countries with histories of slavery.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative frames the story primarily through the lens of the AI project and Luiz Gama's efforts, highlighting their positive contributions to historical memory. While this is important, it risks overshadowing the systemic issues of slavery and the suffering experienced by those enslaved. The headline (if one existed) would likely emphasize the AI aspect, potentially diminishing the focus on the historical injustices themselves.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral, but phrases like "small gestures full of symbolism" and "heroes of the struggle" might be considered slightly loaded, subtly shaping the reader's interpretation. The term "amanuense" (scribe) while accurate, carries a certain formality which could subtly shift the reader's understanding of Gama's role. More neutral alternatives could be used, such as "clerk" or "writer".
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the efforts of Luiz Gama and the use of AI to recreate the faces of formerly enslaved people, but it omits discussion of the broader socio-economic conditions that led to and perpetuated slavery in Brazil. While mentioning the 'lei para inglês ver', it doesn't delve into the complexities of the law's enforcement or the systemic issues that allowed slavery to continue despite its supposed abolition. The lack of detail on the lived experiences of the enslaved beyond their physical descriptions limits a complete understanding of their lives and struggles.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic dichotomy between the theoretical abolition of slavery and the harsh reality of its persistence. While acknowledging the 'lei para inglês ver', it doesn't fully explore the nuances of the situation, which were far more complex than a simple 'law ignored' narrative. The presentation of the freed individuals as simply 'immigrants with residence permits' oversimplifies their legal and social standing.
Gender Bias
The article mentions Luiz Gama's mother, Luisa Mahín, as an active participant in anti-slavery revolts, which is positive representation. However, it primarily focuses on Gama's actions and minimizes the perspectives of the enslaved individuals themselves. The descriptions of the individuals are limited to physical attributes, which, while useful for the AI project, doesn't offer much in the way of their personalities, experiences, or agency. More balanced representation of women's roles in the abolitionist movement would strengthen the article.
Sustainable Development Goals
The exhibition aims to recover the identities of enslaved Africans in Brazil, addressing historical injustices and promoting equality. By using AI to recreate the faces of those enslaved, based on descriptions by Luiz Gama, the project acknowledges past injustices and contributes to a more inclusive representation of history. This directly relates to SDG 10, Reduced Inequalities, by highlighting historical inequalities and working towards a more just and equitable representation of the past.