Ytasha Womack

Comprising elements of the avant-garde, science fiction, cutting-edge hip-hop, black comix, and graphic novels, Afrofuturism spans both underground and mainstream pop culture. With a twofold aim to entertain and enlighten, Afrofuturists strive to break down racial, ethnic, and all social limitations to empower and free individuals to be themselves. This book introduces readers to the burgeoning artists creating Afrofuturist works, the history of innovators in the past, and the wide range of subjects they explore. From the sci-fi literature of Samuel Delaney, Octavia Butler, and NK Jemison to the musical cosmos of Sun Ra, George Clinton, and the Black Eye Peas Will.i.am, who debuted "Reach for the Stars" on Mars, to the visual and multimedia artists inspired by African Dogon myths and Egyptian deities. Topics range from the “alien” experience of blacks in America to the “wake up” cry peppering sci-fi literature, sermons, and activism. Interviews with rappers, composers, musicians, singers, authors, comic illustrators, painters, and DJs, as well as Afrofuturist professors, will provide a firsthand look at this fascinating movement. Ytasha L. Womack is a filmmaker, futurist and the author of Post Black: How a New Generation is Redefining African American Identity and the coeditor of Beats Rhymes and Life: What We Love and Hate About Hip Hop. She is also the creator of the Rayla 2212 sci fi/multimedia series and author of 2212: Book of Rayla. She lives in Chicago.

The World of Black Sci-Fi and Fantasy Culture

Afrofuturism

A Cultural Exploration

Black Panther

Highlighting certain socio-economic and cultural trends, this exploration discloses the new dynamics shaping contemporary lives of African Americans. Using information from conversations with mavericks within black communities -- such as entrepreneurs, artists, scholars, and activists as well as members of both the working and upper classes -- this powerful examination gives voice to what the author has deemed "post black" approaches to business, lifestyles, and religion that are nowhere else reflected as part of black life. The argument states that this new, complex black identity is strikingly different than the images handed down from previous generations and offers new examples of behaviour, such as those shown by President Obama, gays and lesbians, young professionals, and black Buddhists. Contending that this new generation feels as unwelcome in traditional churches as in hip-hop clubs, this dynamic provocation dispels myths about current, popular black identity.

How a New Generation is Redefining African American Identity

Post Black

Take an engrossing deep dive into the cultural influences of Black Panther, from the development of the Marvel Comics character in the 1960s to his current worldwide renown. Black Panther was created in 1966 by the legendary Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in the midst of the civil rights movement and just before the birth of the Black Panther Party. Subsequent creators have drawn from global history and the ever-evolving Black experience to breathe new life into the character, weaving in stories of both oppression and triumph. The Black Panther mythos has had an enormous impact on both comic creators and the people who have helped shape Afrofuturism. Black Panther: A Cultural Exploration delves into the compelling backstory, including: A full history of Black Panther, from the character’s comics debut to current comics and film appearances Iconic artwork and quotes from decades of Marvel comics A breakdown of real-world influences that helped inform the society and culture of Wakanda Connecting the world of Black Panther with cultural and historical touchpoints and the community of readers whose lives were shaped by the character and his comics, Black Panther: A Cultural Exploration explores the worlds, myths, music, and histories that contributed to the comic’s evolution. Wakanda forever!

Ytasha Womack

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