Race, History, and Time Travel: Examining the Difference Between White and Black Depictions in Afrofuturism

 "See You Yesterday" is a 2019 science fiction film directed by Spike Lee that centers around two teenage African American science prodigies, Claudette "C.J." Walker and Sebastian Thomas. These two main characters invent a time machine to save C.J.'s brother, who was fatally shot by the police. The film's portrayal of time travel and science fiction themes is a great example of Afrofuturism. One way in which "See You Yesterday" can be seen as an example of Afrofuturism is through its exploration of time travel as a means of addressing issues of police violence and social justice. The film uses time travel as a way to bring attention to the systemic issue of police brutality against black individuals, highlighting the importance of using innovative technologies to address social and political issues. In this sense, the film aligns with the principles of Afrofuturism, which seeks to use speculative fiction to reimagine historical narratives and offer new possibilities for the future.

The film presents the two young protagonists as highly skilled inventors who are deeply rooted in their cultural heritage and history. C.J. and Sebastian's invention of a time machine can be seen as a form of Afrofuturistic reimagining of technology, where traditional cultural values are fused with cutting-edge science and technology.

In the context of Afrofuturism, time travel is a common trope that has been explored by both Black and White creators in various forms of media. However, there are distinct differences in how time travel is presented by Black creators compared to their White counterparts. 

In the context of Afrofuturism, time travel is often presented as a means of exploring the past, present, and future of Black culture and identity. However, the way time travel is presented by White people differs significantly from how it is presented by Black people. White people are often portrayed as having more privilege with their time travel, as they seek to preserve history and prevent any changes to the present they came from. On the other hand, Black people are often depicted as using time travel as a means of intentionally altering history, as seen with CJ in the movie "See You Yesterday."

This raises an important question: why would Black people want to preserve a present day that is so harmful against them? The answer lies in the desire to create a better future for themselves and future generations. By altering the past, Black people can change the present and create a more equitable and just future for themselves. In contrast, preserving the present only perpetuates the injustices and inequalities that currently exist.