Afrofuturism-T/Th

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_N9BzwtG97rndaJew0ddHXHtORVCtBTW/view?usp=sharing  I have created a Pinterest collage that explores the future of African Americans in the science field, with a particular emphasis on African American women in STEM. This project draws inspiration from the groundbreaking achievements of pioneering African American women who have made significant contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The collage uses a combination of historical context and forward-thinking imagery to reimagine what is possible in STEM because of these women’s courage and determination. The background of the collage represents the past—highlighting key moments in history—while the images that overlay the articles symbolize the future, imagining what can be achieved moving forward due to the foundation these trailblazers have laid. The project incorporates articles from well-known and credible sources that focus on the first African American women to make s...

 Ralph Camp Dr. Harris ENGL2016-44378 3 December 2024 Visual Art: Drawing of culturist elements in space I will be doing a drawing of a black man from the Akan people of Ghana, West Africa. He will be wearing Kente clothing and futuristic headgear. It will be his shoulders up and the background will be outer space. My primary source will be “Wild Seed” because the novel explores themes related to African heritage, traditions, and history. My drawing will include some aspects Afrofuturism by blending African culture with futuristic ideas. The idea behind this is to show how African traditions can be reimagined in a future world, where technology and culture work together. By the background being space, I want to highlight the limitless potential of the African diaspora in a future where their cultural identity remains strong, even as they move into new and unexplored territories. This piece will be a visual exploration of how the past, present, and future can connect through Afrofut...

  Sierra Barrera Dr. Harris ENGL 2016 December 3, 2024 Afrofuturism in Societal Norms: Black culture is undeniably an influence in society worldwide. Its influence stems from entertainment, music, literature, all the way to foods, clothing styles, and hairstyles. Afrofuturism encompasses these elements of the past and the present and introduces a reimagining of the future- ultimately it is the past with the future. Examples of this broad genre can be found nuanced in many things most people encounter on a daily basis. This project intends to shed light on how Afrofuturism is encountered in life, and how one could be more aware of it in their own. This project was done in the form of an interview where text from Dark Matter , a compilation of speculative fiction under the genre of Afrofuturism, was used as a background and introduction to the meaning of Afrofuturism. After reading excerpts of The Comet by W.E.B. Du Bois and The Becoming by Akua Lezli Hope, volunteers were then ask...

Empowering you   Vincent Winston  

  Eli Barbo Dr. Harris English 2016-44378 12/3/2024 Gender Dynamics in Afrofuturism A change in traditional gender roles and dynamics is a common theme in works of Afrofuturism. The most well known and obvious example of this change in gender dynamics would be Marvel’s “Black Panther”. This film features a character named Queen Ramonda who acts as a leader to the country of Wakanda and a very important advisor to her son, Prince T’Challa, also known as the Black Panther. Queen Ramonda nor the entirely female army are treated as less than or forced into domestic roles by the men of country. The respect and acknowledgement of the women in these roles, subvert traditional gender roles in many cultures, that would either disregard the impressiveness of the women, or force them into domestic roles rather than roles of power. In Octavia Butler’s novel “Wild Seed” we are introduced to a woman named Anyanwu, who has the power to change and morph her body into many different creatures, ...

Reimagining the Future Course Proposal for High School Students   Amiyah Chatman

  Kailey Smith Engl -Dr. Harris  Dec 01, 2024 The Beginning  Afrofuturism is a cultural style that explores the experiences and potential of the African diaspora by fusing aspects of historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, and Afrocentrism. By presenting alternate views in which individuals of African origin play a pivotal role in technological and societal achievements, it aims to reclaim narratives and spaces that have historically been dominated by colonial and Western perspectives. By recreating history through an Afrofuturistic lens and emphasizing the reclamation of space and history by African Americans and liberated slaves, Nisi Shawl's novel "Everfair" exemplifies these ideas. Reimagining History Through Afrofuturism In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when European nations were dividing Africa for colonization, "Everfair" takes place. In the alternate history depicted in the book, a group of African Americans, Europeans, and Native African...

  Austin S. Hurt Dr. Harris  ENGL 2016-44378 22 November 2024 Empowered Futures: Afrofuturism and Resilience in Wild Seed In Wild Seed , by Octavia Butler, Anyanwu can transform her body into virtually anything she chooses to be; she can even heal herself. Anyanwu uses this ‘power’ to adapt and survive, even under oppressive control by a character named Doro—a man who uses his power of switching bodies to sustain himself, killing the person whose physical form he takes. The themes in Wild Seed align with Afrofuturism, blending African culture, sci-fi, history, and more. In the story, the main character, Anyanwu, embodies ultimate power and self-determination to resist the control of Doro, a well-beyond-powerful character who seeks to dominate her life. Anyanwu’s determination connects with the ideals of Afrofuturism by demonstrating how people can confront challenges and work toward creating a better future (Benjamin 78). Afrofuturism as a genre offers much more than entertai...

 Shamari Rice J. Harris ENGL2016-44378 The Temple: Hair, Body and Face Afrofuturism challenges traditional narratives and cultural aesthetic norms by creating theoretical spaces where African Americans reclaim their identity culture, and bodies. It blends science fiction, history, and African culture Among the many themes, the body politics of Afrofuturism creates an interesting space that involves the resistance to Eurocentric beauty standards that are imposed on African American women. Traditionally, the standards idolize thinness deprecating women within both mainstream and African American communities. For my visual art, I chose to draw an image of a plus-size Black woman with her body having embracive curves, stretch marks, and a pudgy stomach. Her afro would not be of a natural color like brown or black, more so of a shiny gray, but instead of color there would be glitter. Therefore, I title this drawing “The Temple: Hair, Body, and Face”. Hair: This afro serves as I feel a c...

  Exploring Afrofuturism: Blending Heritage, Creativity, and Innovation Tazir Smith

  Lenim Zelaya This painting is a depiction of a scene in “Wild Seed” that we the readers did not experience. What we see is Anyanwu and Doro boarding the ship bound for America in part 1 of the book. Anyanwu in the foreground looking up at Doro ascending up to the ship as well as a crew member and slave already on board. While we don’t see this moment ourselves, this is a pivotal moment in both of the main characters lives. The duo is about to make the journey to America on Doro’s ship; for a dream both have all but given up on. Anyanwu is leaving behind her homeland and everything she has ever known, experiencing waves of nervousness and awe simultaneously. Doro on the other hand is leading extraordinary “stock” back home in this twisted story of Noah’s arc he’s made out of his life. I picked this overlooked scene on the premise that every person who was brought from Africa, be it willing or enslaved, had a significant shift in their lives that shouldn’t be ignored. We are set in...

Mixed-Race Relationships   Hannah Traxler 

  Hannah Huddleston Dr. Jaleesa Harris ENGL2016- 44378 11 November 2024 Afrofuturism and Agriculture Afrofuturism and Agriculture. What do you know about them? Let me tell you what I know about these two terms separately. Agriculture is the science of cultivating, producing, and raising livestock for food. In common terms, it is called “Farming.” Farming is the most important concept/activity that is done and educated on because it is the reason we are living. Afrofuturism is a concept that uses science fiction to reimagine or enhance a future or the past for African Americans. The idea holds importance in many avenues such as music, art, film, fashion, architecture, etc.… In this instance the avenue that will be dissected and discussed is agriculture and how it is Afrofuturistic. This paper will be like reading a timeline. We will first talk about Afrofuturism; the different definitions along with examples of it in different texts along with the different elements that will rela...