When the first mainstream black superhero stepped onto the ‘60s comics scene, there was no word to describe the genre of storytelling he represented.
Decades later, the highly anticipated “Black Panther” film is being called Afrofuturist. Its depiction of Wakanda, a hidden fictitious African nation without a colonial past, is especially credited as an “Afrofuturist paradise.” A shape-shifting cultural phenomenon, Afrofuturism isn’t easy to define but there is one common thread that ties Afrofuturist works: a look at future or alternate realities through a black lens.
Hollywood and its award shows have come under heavy scrutiny for their representation of black people. “There are stories about aliens where the alien is supposed to be a metaphor for people of color. I mean, how is that inspiring?” said Afrofuturist author and choreographer Ytasha Womack.
The criticism extends to the world of sci-fi film and literature, where black protagonists have historically been few and far in between. But Afrofuturist narratives emerged in part to fill that void.
Janelle Monae’s android alter ego and Andre 3000’s extraterrestrial-inspired music videos are prime examples of how mainstream hip-hop artists embraced Afrofuturist narratives over the past decade. TV networks are now catching up by investing in futuristic narratives featuring black people. On-screen adaptations are underway for post-apocalyptic books by author Nnedi Okorafor and the late Octavia Butler, a literary icon of Afrofuturism.
Watch how three creatives channel Afrofuturism in the video above.
Subscribe to VICE News here: http://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-VICE-News
Check out VICE News for more: http://vicenews.com
Follow VICE News here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicenews
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vicenews
Tumblr: http://vicenews.tumblr.com/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/vicenews
More videos from the VICE network: https://www.fb.com/vicevideo
source
I like vibranium and forcefield
Is only a movie, fantasy movie .godddd
We wuz kangz n shiet.
So, something like Red Dwarf would not be afrofuturism because it doesn't have to do with Africa? Or would it still be because the main character is black although some of the other characters are white and the other black guy is in cat makeup? Would the Matrix or Star Trek TNG be afrofuturism or are they just sci fi because they don't have an African perspective?
The first lady said she bad some books published, but I don't see how the last guy's getting paid unless he can sell those renderings to a video game developer or something? The people dancing around didn't look particularly African or futuristic, just a bunch of regular neo hippies.
So mainstreaming daydreaming?
This is very interesting especially the 3D Afro-Futuristic/Afro-Cyberpunk architecture. Which I found most interesting.
WOOOOO!!!! <3 <3 <3 <3
Anyone looking for more Afrofuturism stories should check this out. I'm the creator, writer, colorist and musician for a project that I hope to turn into a live-action movie soon. It's an action adventure set in a post-apocalypse where all forms of artistic expression have been outlawed, and a band of musical warriors led by a jazz-fusion guitarist, must free humanity. Avantguardians.com
When white people do it, it's racism. When black people do it, it's empowering.
"Afrofuturism" lol these people are running wild with only one movie lmao
WE
I come back to this video a year later and all the dislikes are disheartening. Black Panther is the first comic book movie with a cast of mostly black actors. It's more of a symbol of Afrofuturism brought to life than anything else. We know the movie has flaws, but we hope that the sequels do what the first movie didn't. Afrofuturism has been around since the 1970s, but Black Panther has reintroduced it to a younger generation. That's why we love it. It showed us what we want our future to look like without forgetting where our ancestors came from.
Why won't whites leave us alone?
Black Panther is make believe tho.
A black person with agency is a white man's kryptonite.
Volkswagen is a german car.
the desrt triangles was just spaceshipss
I want to see lord jamar here!
.
This comment section is further proof that the simple action of black people expressing themselves or trying to create something new for themselves is seen as an attack on white identity and culture or its supposed superiority. Things haven't changed much. We try to look to the past to take pride in ourselves but we are told we have no culture or history and are constantly told stop bringing up the past. Then we try to look to the future and look forward to create something new to better ourselves for simply creative purposes and we are criticised. You just want us to be stagnate.
Absolute state of this shit
what i find funny how when there is a white movie people don't bat an eye but make it about other races or ethnics it becomes a fucking problem
“Thanks for giving Africa a thriving metropolis since we have none in real life”
Im excited to see future Afrofuturism projects in the film and gaming industries. Maybe like a murder mystery Blade Runner in Nairobi.
$1.3 billion alt-righters.
As I read the comment section only 2 things come to mind
1. Racism is a joke to be thrown around on the Internet
2. Black Americans have serious identity issues
2028: "Finally. Synthetic fried chicken."
Note to my fellow Alt-Right people as well as to the Alt Left : Afrofutureism is not racist out right. This note is just for those who think it is. It is just a way to view the possible future. Ameriofutureism (America future is , but it sorta already happened) is not racist nor is Arabofutureism.
I can't fathom why people have disliked this video. What didn't people like about it? I'm really confused. I've always been into afro-futurism, Sun Ra, Parliament-Funkadelic, and especially what Del Tha Funkee Homosapien brought to the Deltron 3030 project. Seeing Janelle Monae's career blossom has been amazing too.
This is ALWAYS been doing this Afrikka……
They stole the "Wakanda" idea and word from us Native Americans.
This is awesome. I read awhile back that many black African cultures struggle with accepting sci fi literature. Maybe this will help.
wtf is Afrofuturist. and why are blacks mad at the west? someone explain? im so lost
this is pretty interesting and all, but the name "aftofuturisim" sounds lame as hell.
so it's just sci-fi?
ok
why is this a big deal ? ''afrofuturism'' ? why do you have to make this about a specific race ? constantly talking about this shit like nothing else is important. we should start to talk about hispanicfuturism, asianfuturism, scandinavianfuturism also since we have an afro one or else it's racist isn't it ? your like kids…
Get a more powerful computer it’s like watching a PowerPoint
i remember when i was called weird and nerd for liking comic books and knowing about the character Black Panther, now these pretentious jerks sit here and praise the movie and are all of a sudden Black Panther fans and experts. amazing how that works.
Afrofuturism makes it sound like the want blade runner but replacing all non blacks with blacks.
But it actually just is futurism with african culture thrown in which is interesting and a neat idea. Thnx Vice
It’s a dang comic book movie not a social movement
you guys incorrectly use the word "diaspora" several times as if it were migration…when truly africans were plucked out of their homeland and forced into slavery by other countries….BIG DIFFERENCE…HUGE!
such a racist flick!!! and i LOVE it!
Really fucking cool, imagining the entire African continent as futuristic cities steeped in folklore and sci-fi influenced technologies is a breath of fresh air for both the mainstream view of Africa and science fiction.
How about blacks actually accomplishing something in the REAL world.
Who tought black people were not going to be apart of the future? It's mathematically impossible for them to not be, just like the rest of us. Taking to much pride in your own color, segregates you from others by installing your race is somehow better or needs to Trump others. We need to unify not divide. We should have a day were all cultures come together and truly meld into one another through harmony.
Ohh, its really reminds me of Numbani!