by Liz Cortes
Speaking about entertainment is one of the most relevant topics that you can use to start a conversation, is part of the culture to connect with books, movies, short films, music, or artist. Thus I can’t imagine myself being restricted to express my own joy about art.
One of my favorite movies is Hidden Figures which recognizes the work of mathematics black women who lead important papers in the development of NASA projects to send a spaceship to space. this movie resalted the capacities and opportunities of women in science and society, making me feel that is possible for me as a woman and science fan be part of the future of the world. I love this movie, I cried watching it and get so excited seeing how strong were those women in front of the racism, society, and stereotypes in the 60s. Besides, that was performed for three amazing women Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae. They are just a piece of all the potential of the Afro-Americans in movies and as characters that encourage the black women to be part of the change.
When I read “The Case For Black Joy”[1] Hadiya Roderique, I understood her joy as I enjoy movies too, there is no right to undervalue the happiness of someone to connect with art, and more when it talks about your culture and shows a strong black community different to the painful histories that Afro-Americans had to afront in the past. I respect this joy, is very valuable and is my joy too, one of my friends has a big poster of Black Panther in his living room and a funko in his car. I can imagine that he identified with this movie as Hadiya did.
There is a lot of potentials, like books, comics, short films, and movies that have made real the dreams of many people, beginning to change not only our screens programs also the community ideas in toys, media, and clothes. All of this makes a fair and equal world for all cultures.
Afrofuturism is a challenge and a call for not only the Black community to be part of the entertainment industry as well for all the communities to appreciate it and be part of it, recognizing the pride of being Black and being different.
[1] Roderique, Hadiya. “The Case for Black Joy.” Fashion Magazine. 1 February 2019. https://fashionmagazine.com/flare/the-case-for-black-joy/
