Category: afrofuturism

Posted on

AfroFuturism in Society

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/

Posted on

Black Panther and Its Impact

One idea that I find worth attention is in the article about Black Panther, when the writer Carvell Wallace references a video posted to twitter, in which three young men make comments regarding a black panther poster. They all make jokes, but the one that strikes me most is “This is what white people get to feel all the time?”. What he means by this is the idea that the majority of big time movies, and shows, are majority all white cast, with minorities playing smaller roles. Though this time it is completely different, a Black movie where the main characters are Black, and play all of the significant roles. To add on, this movie is not yet another “Black Pain” movie, such as a movie about slavery, or segregation, but it is a movie depicting Black people in roles of royalty and of great purpose, and power. Black Panther doesn’t make its audience feel bad for Black People, it instead impowers Black People and all that can relate to it. It is a movie of excellence, and Black youth can now finally see people like them on the big screen, and that is a defining moment for Black America.

Not only is this a defining moment for Black America, but it’s also a big moment for the Black Lives Matter Movement. BLM, aims to bring justice to Black Americans, and dismantle systematic racism. Black Panther allowed America to see Blackness in its excellence, and in a positive light. Black people often are portrayed as criminals, or portrayed in movies in poor circumstances, which perpetuates the injustice that Black people in America continue to experience, it also shows Africa in a new light, which is that its not only a impoverished continent, but a place that is just as modern, and a place full of beautiful and vibrant culture. The Black Lives Matter Movement aims to change the narrative of Black people in America, and Black Panther does exactly that. Showing Black America, and America as a whole in a movie where THEY are the stars, and they are the ones that everybody is crowding into movie theaters to go see. This is a big step for Black America and BLM in terms of empowerment and representation.

Relating back to the first paragraph, and the comments made about a lack of representation in America when it comes to Black people in powerful roles. Black Panther gives Black America new hope, and new inspiration, which is that they can be powerful and strong too, that they can be the main stars if they want to, and that they are just as important as any other race. It is time for representation in American movies, and not just movies but everywhere else, and with the release of this movie and the large impact that it had even before its release, it is a step towards equality, and justice in America, and Afrofuturism.

Posted on

Q.U.E.E.N. by Janelle Monáe

In her song, Q.U.E.E.N., Janelle Monáe acknowledges both her Blackness and her queerness. As she addresses her race, her references can be closely linked to The Case For Black Joy by Hadiya Roderique. The lyrics keep asking if the way Janelle Monáe’s community expresses themselves and their happiness is wrong and worthy of judgement just because it might be different than what is expected of them.

As she goes on and brings her queerness into the picture, questions such as “Hey brother can you save my soul from the devil?” and “Hey sister am I good enough for your heaven?” emerge, suggesting the black community might not embrace her as much because of her sexual identity. This creates a great turmoil, because what exactly can one do when several parts of their personality might not correspond with one another and are generally judged and viewed as wrong?

According to Janelle Monáe, in this case, it is up to this community and this generation to create its new norm and realm and break down to walls that limit them. The people of the present cannot and should not meet the expectations of the past. The circumstances have changed and so have and the individuals who were thus born. Therefore, Janelle Monáe’s Afrofuturism suggests a revolution, the uprising of a completely new world where people are encouraged to embrace themselves as a whole and where it is understood that skin color and sexual identity are not grounds for judgement but for celebration.

Posted on

The Impact of Black Panther

The term afrofuturism is something ive never heard before but after reading about it, its something that I’ve seen in movies, tv shows and music but didn’t know really what it was. Afrofuturism is a movement in literature, music, art, etc., featuring futuristic or science fiction themes which incorporate elements of black history and culture. Out of these 3 amazing topics, one that I can relate to the most is Black Panther and what it really stands for. Yes, it is an incredible Marvel Superhero movie, but it’s more than just that. Black Panther is a movie which has started a movement and has brought a voice for the African American Community. The movie features an all African American cast, in their own hidden world called Wakanda that has similar afican like characteristics. Many other action movies in the past has had just the Main Character be African Amercian but this time it was more than that. It was there cultar, how they speak, how they dress, and much more.

Something that I found interesting that I didn’t know was in the Conversation article by Clare Corbould says “Vibranium represents the resources of the 54 countries of Africa, whose extraction has not, on the whole, benefited Africans. It is mahogany, ivory, rubber, diamonds, salt, gold, copper, and uranium.” I had no clue that there was a hidden meaning to Vibranium. I just thought it was simply just a powerful and nearly indestructible alloy that was used in Captin Americans shield. Now knowing that I can start to put the pieces together on why Wakanda is a hidden land. Its hidden to protect and keep there people and there resources safe.

Another detail that Corbould metions is that “Westerners’ ideas about Africa are steeped in myth. The United States, wrote German philosopher Georg Hegel in 1830, was “the land of the future”. Africa, by contrast, was “the land of childhood” where history was meaningless. European powers dubbed it the “Dark Continent”, as if its people could never make progress.” The fact that Wakanda is separated because it is free of free of European colonisation just blows my mind. I cant belive that it took me so long to see that. Now knowing the real meaning behind the movie and what it actual stands for I understand why this movie is a movement in itself and why its paving the way for African Amercian culture.

I wanted to dig into Afrofuturism some more, and this is one of the videos that I found that I thought was really interesting

Posted on

Janelle Monae

While reading the lyrics and listening to Janelle Monaes song Q.U.E.E.N. The first quote that stuck out to me was “They call us dirty ’cause we break all your rules down. And we just came to act a fool, is that alright? (Girl, that’s alright).” I was instantly reminded of the essay by Hadiya Roderique The Case for Black Joy. Both are referring to how as black people that being able to express joy and livelihood is somewhat looked down upon and having being constantly judged.

She also has another lyric in the song where she states: “Hey sister am I good enough for your Heaven? Say will your God accept me in my black and white? Will he approve the way I’m made? Or should I reprogram, deprogram and get down?” What I gathered from this was she was referring to herself being a queer individual and saying she isn’t “good” enough to fit into their mold of how someone should be. Yet she still stays true to herself because at the end of day her own happiness is what truly matters and not the opinion of others.

I’m posting a couple of remixed songs of Janelle Monaes that I’ve had in my playlists for a while now that are really good so I figured I’d share them and give you all a listen, The first one is a remix of her hit Q.U.E.E.N. and the other is Make Me Feel. Enjoy!

Posted on

How Long ’til Black Future Month? Afrofuturism in Literature

“When I began writing science fiction, when I began reading, heck, I wasn’t in any of this stuff I read. I wrote myself in.”

— Octavia Butler

Boy, it’s hard to choose. But while it’s tempting to make you read everything Octavia Butler wrote, instead I will point you to two living writers.

N.K. Jemisin — like Natalie Diaz — is a winner of the MacArthur Foundation’s “Genius Grant.” (The title of this post is hers, for a book of short stories.) She is best known for a sci-fi trilogy called the Broken Earth series. It’s good! But I won’t make you read it. Instead, please watch this video the MacArthur Foundation made about her and this video of a famous speech she made at an award ceremony (the Hugos) about representation:

If you are going to write your response this week on literature, please also read this New Yorker profile of Jemisin.

N.-K.-Jemisins-Dream-Worlds-_-The-New-YorkerDownload

Another obvious heir to Octavia Butler is Nnedi Okorafor. You can read an excerpt from her (super amazing) Binti trilogy here:

https://www.tor.com/2015/08/17/excerpts-binti-nnedi-okorafor/
Posted on

Black Panther


Here are some resources about the movie Black Panther. Pay extra attention to these! In addition to being a nice example of Afrofuturism, they are related to the Roderique essay for the final. #multitasking.

Here’s the trailer, which we already watched.

And here are two articles to read about the movie’s relationship to Afrofuturism:

Why-‘Black-Panther-Is-a-Defining-Moment-for-Black-America-The-New-York-Times-1Download

And also this one: https://theconversation.com/towards-wakanda-chadwick-bosemans-passing-and-the-power-and-limits-of-afrofuturism-145300

Simple CSS