Redefining Historical Narratives: Crafting a Black Sci-fi Vision for Tomorrow
In 2017, visual artist Alisha B. Wormsley displayed the words "There are Black people in the future" on billboards across various cities, including Pittsburgh, Detroit, and New York City. Originally intended as a joke, the billboard's removal in Pittsburgh due to perceived divisiveness sparked a demand for narratives that envision and embrace Black individuals in futuristic narratives.
This need led to the rise of Afrofuturism, a cultural movement that is experiencing a resurgence. For centuries, derogatory narratives about Black people have permeated American culture, even reaching household products such as Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben. Afrofuturistic narratives offer Black people an opportunity to reclaim their humanity by providing alternative, empowering, and humanizing stories.
First coined by Mark Dery in 1994, the term "Afrofuturism" refers to speculative fiction that addresses African-American concerns within the context of contemporary technoculture. It extends to various artistic platforms, where Black creators envision the future by reinterpreting the present and reimagining the past. Although initially considered a phenomenon specific to African Americans, Afrofuturism has gained worldwide traction, even inspiring Africanfuturism.
Ryan Coogler's 2018 film "Black Panther" showcased an afrofuturistic approach by depicting a fictional African nation, Wakanda, untouched by European colonialism. This portrayal of a prosperous, resource-rich Africa garnered attention beyond the movie world.
In a nod to the precursor of Afrofuturism, W.E.B. DuBois anticipated the movement with his 1920 short story "The Comet." This speculative fiction piece envisions a post-racist world where a Black man and a white woman are the last survivors, symbolizing the granting of humanity to Black individuals.
The inclusion of the character Lieutenant Uhura on the 1960s television series "Star Trek" marked a pivotal moment in Afrofuturism, as Black people could identify with a character performing an essential role in a futuristic narrative. However, the lack of Black representation in speculative fictional narratives has often amounted to erasure.
Notable proto-afrofuturistic texts include Octavia Butler's 1978 novel "Kindred" and her 1993 "Parable of the Sower," which found renewed popularity during the Covid pandemic for its ominous storyline based on climate change and social inequality.
Afrofuturism flourishes not only in literature and film but also in music, where its essence can be felt most profoundly. Sun Ra, a pioneer of Afrofuturism, led the Sun Ra Arkestra and claimed to have traveled to Saturn. His experimental music, along with Parliament Funkadelic and contemporary artists like Janelle Monae and Flying Lotus, embody Afrofuturistic ideals.
Visual artists are also a significant part of the Afrofuturist movement. Artists like Wormsley, Ellen Gallagher, Ayana V. Jackson, Firelei Báez, and Andrea Chung use the mythical story of Drexciya in their art to re-envision the world. The myth of Drexciya, originating from a techno music duo, tells the story of underwater-breathing children born from drowned African women who escaped slavery.
Other visual artists, such as Wangechi Mutu and Sanford Biggers, are at the forefront of the Afrofuturist movement. Mutu's work challenges preconceived notions of Black femininity, while Biggers reimagines history by depicting Harriet Tubman as an astronavigating freedom seeker.
In essence, Afrofuturism offers a space for Black people to reimagine the past, question the present, and envision alternate futures by combining elements of science fiction, technology, history, and culture. The movement challenges traditional narratives, promotes artistic expression, and fosters sociopolitical liberation.
- The 2017 gallery exhibition by artist Alisha B. Wormsley, featuring her installation "There are Black people in the future," can be seen as an early manifestation of Afrofuturism.
- Ryan Coogler's 2018 film "Black Panther," with its depiction of the afrofuturistic nation Wakanda, has inspired contemporary artists within the Afrofuturist movement, such as Andrea Chung.
- Afrofuturistic music, like Sun Ra's experimental tunes and Janelle Monae's contemporary compositions, embodies Afrofuturistic ideals, reinterpreting the present and reimagining the past.
- In the museum, one can find artworks by artists like Wangechi Mutu, who use Afrofuturistic narratives to challenge preconceived notions and promote artistic expression, fostering sociopolitical liberation.
