What Does Afrofuturism Mean?

Historically, the term Afrofuturism was applied to science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, graphic novels, comics, and art that centered around Black people. Samuel Delaney, Octavia Butler, Tananarive Due, Steven Barnes, and Walter Moseley are a few of the authors who have contributed to the canon. Add to that Marvel, DC, and independent comic universes iconic characters like Luke Cage, Black Panther, Misty Night, Storm, Vixen and places like Wakanda.

As a researcher who embraced Appreciative Inquiry in its approach to co-creating a desired future, I posit that Afrofuturism is about envisioning Black people in desired future states within a context that aligns with their asili. Ubuntu theory and the Nguzo Saba are philosophical thrusts with which many of us our familiar. Within those contexts, visualizing a future in which we are healthy happy and whole could touch upon several disciplines or measures including but not limited to the 8 dimensions of wellness: emotional, spiritual, financial intellectual, vocational, social, physical, and environmental.

While history is one of the most rewarding fields of study, if we don't use history to inform our choices and help us reverse engineer desired future states, we are missing an opportunity.

While awareness of the current state is not insignificant, it is important keep it in perspective along side historical context and visions of the future.