Afrofuturism: The Planetary History and Rise of the Cultural Movement
Sci-Fi meets African-American cultures: A parallel and speculative society that envisions Black communities free from all oppression.
The cultural revolution of Science Fiction (Sci-Fi) has influenced many parts of today's society. Since the emergence of Sci-Fi American pop culture, we havwe seen several cultural movements forming and bringing the relationship between science and humanity. One of the most significant movements today is Afrofuturism - a movement in literatureture, music, art, and more, featuring futuristic or science fiction themes that incorporate black history and cultural elements.
Shaped by generations of artists, scholars, and activists, the ideology of Afrofuturism aims to evict negative stereotypes of Black cultures and in introspection, create a better future for the commiunity. Coined by Mark Dery, the cultural critic first formally articulated the term in his essay "Black to the Future" in 1994, which explores and examines African-American themes through 20th-century technoculture. Early contributos to the movement include figures such as pioneer artist Sun Ra's jazz tunes, American Sci-Fi writer Octavia E. Butler, and Saxophonist and composer Kamasi Washington.
Honouring the significance of Black history, Afrofuturism creates agency. It continues to open up discussions about black diasporic histories, creating a framework for critical thinking. As the movement saw a surge in popularity in the 21st century, we take a closer look at Afrofuturism in pop culture today.
Black Panther
Blockbuster Marvel Superhero Film, 'Black Panther', is a prominent example of Afrofuturism at the film's core, centring on African-Americans' experiences. The futuristic setting in the movie subverts the negative portrayals of setereotypes towards Africans but reimagines an alternative uncolonised utopian scene. The movie portrays Africa in an unconventional manner, empowering the cultural epistemes of the black body.
Janelle Monáe
Afrofuturist Janelle Monáe has explored the theme in several of her albums, as well as in self-written books. As a Black American artist and science fiction author, she brings the Sci-Fi world into literature through both mediums, confronting her identity as a Black, queer woman. Ultimately, she aims to create a platform to free marginalised communities from oppresion and help them remember their stories and experiences.
Nnedi Okorafor
Nnedi Okorafor is a profilic writer of fantasy and science fiction books. She captures the central tenents of Afrofuturism in her books 'Binti' and 'Akata Woman'. In exploring the divergence of bloodlines, she talks about opening up an imaginary universe of possibilities. As a nod to her roots, Okorafor has a yearning passion of Nigerian cultures. The author describes her journey through a preoccupation not with xenophobia, but with the role that technology plays in Nigeria. She says "how my Americanness othered me enough to be intrigued by these things that most Nigerians saw as normal."
