We Have To Leave Some Behind...

I think that it’s fascinating how despite the changes Afrofuturism wants to and is attempting to enact within society, there are still very obvious parts of it that aren’t quite sure what it wants. Namely, how the Black community approaches capitalism. Yazyek speaks on how Afrofuturism will always be linked with politics, and that means that Afrofuturism will have to, one day, decide how it wants to proceed about capitalism within society. Or rather, how to proceed with those within the Black community who don’t want to let go of capitalism. A specific (fictional but appropriate) example I think of is the Overseer from space is the place, meant to represent the kind of Black person who is happy to participate in a western capitalist society so long as it suits them. And while that is certainly selfish and arguably not very smart, it can be understandable in some aspects– succeeding in society as a Black person is already difficult, and if you “win the game” by “their rules” then it can feel like a sort of acceptance. However, I think it’s imperative to inform these types of people within the community, and people who want to be active in an Afrofuturist society, that at it’s core Afrofuturism will never be about the individual, but about the community. Based on how communities operated before white people showed up, it was never with a capitalist mindset. And likewise, to be an Afrofuturist means to support all black people, even ones who “can’t” support themselves– something that western society doesn’t encourage whatsoever. And so essentially in thinking about this, my conclusion is that ultimately we need to find a way to convince these types of Afrofuturists that the future is about everyone’s success, and if they can’t picture themselves as apart of a whole then they won’t be apart of the future. (Week 2)