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/

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.

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:

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

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