Afrofuturism mixes sci-fi and social justice. Here’s how it works.

What does the future look like for black people?

Video by: Gina Barton, Victoria Massie, and Joe Posner

Black people are rarely featured in sci-fi and fantasy films — that is, unless that black person is Will Smith. How do black people get to exist in the future? Afrofuturism, a scholarly and artistic movement that imagines the future through black people’s experiences is one answer. The term was coined in 1994 by culture critic Mark Dery in his "Black to the Future" essay.

[ChickenfishOfDoom]

*watches video* aw yeah maybe humans arent that bad, maybe we can all get along *looks at comments* oh...

[Alegiance]

Jesus why are people so opposed to videos like this? It's literally just cultural history.

[DarrenNoFun]

I kind of want a T-Shirt that says "We're Not All White... Or Will Smith"

[edwnx]

So is this getting dislikes simply because it has "social justice" in the title?

[Elite]

These video led me to Janelle Monae and I feel I've been musically reborn.

[tremolo]

Holy shit! I didn't expect Vox viewers to be so prejudice about black culture. Wow.

I really liked the video. Check out Nnedi Okorafor! She a sci-fi writer who's work is mostly influenced by her Nigerian roots. Her work was my first introduction to Afrofuturism

[luvpinas]

Oh boy. Whenever someone makes a video that takes pride in other cultures, some people just go out of their way to fling feces at it. Maybe you should open your eyes, slip your feet into the other person's shoes, and realize that it's not all about you.

[kickapowwww]

As a white cis male, who loves sci-fi and fantasy, I would LOVE to see more afro-futuristic in the genre. And more latino and other cultures too!

[Olorrangerr]

my g, these white tears are saltier than ever.

[AwesomenessHippopotamus]

Imagine if the writers and animators of The Boondocks sat down and wrote a show with an Afrofuturism/Sci-Fi plot.

[BioHazardCL]

I like rappers and hiphop artists talking about race. I take their argument more to heart because it feels like I as a white man am included as an ally to help everyone have an equal chance instead of being the enemy, which privilege has to be wrestled from.

[MakeArtNotWar]

Certain people get offended when they're not included in the mix. Haters will continue to hate. They will always get it twisted, no matter how you present it.

[mrshahquelle]

Who else is here for the racist comments?

[mmzsynx]

It's sad that 1, 299 people saw the title, clicked dislike, and ignored the underlying analysis and explanation of a unique and interesting perspective.

[Chaobreaker]

If there's any doubt that there's a race problem in America, just look at that dislike precentage and the comments of this video.

[Seadalgo]

Why did you only stick to music? You made it seem like you were going into independent film, novels, graphic novels, then just stuck to some music that only tangentially represents the topic.

[flyingfoxb]

you know you made a real statement and you you hit a soft spot when the like is hit as much as the dislike :D

[jessetorres]

I'm a Texas Christian University student, and my college has a Sci-Fy and Afrofuturism in Literature class. My campus requires a literature course and I took it since it sounded unique/different from other literature course and after taking the course I recommend that any1 in a college that offers this course should take it. And in case any1 is wondering, my class was only about 40% African American so the course may be called Afrofuturism but it is a form of literature that people of diverse races can take and enjoy, especially if you are a fan of science fiction.

[DoReMiacb]

Great video Vox. Don't worry. When Black Panther movie comes out Afrofuturism will become much more known and respected.

[Mariachi-jnxg]

Im white and afrofuturism makes perfect sense to me.