The '-ism' of Self-Worth: Analyzing Afrofuturism
Advisor(s)
Tracy Townsend, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Location
Room A151
Start Date
26-4-2019 9:45 AM
End Date
26-4-2019 10:00 AM
Abstract
There are plenty of books that are marketed as Afrofuturism, however, the definition of the genre is constantly changing. In addition, many of the papers in discourse about what Afrofuturism is are done by academics from outside of the community of Afrofuturistic writers. This paper asks the question: what are the forces that define Afrofuturism for both readers and for authors? Answering this question requires the in depth reading and analysis of both short stories and novels written by both Black and Non Black authors whose works have been classified in the afrofuture genre. Then, common themes and artistic stylings, as well as the context surrounding each work, will inform how this paper defines the term afrofuturism and how and if it can be applied in each piece.
The '-ism' of Self-Worth: Analyzing Afrofuturism
Room A151
There are plenty of books that are marketed as Afrofuturism, however, the definition of the genre is constantly changing. In addition, many of the papers in discourse about what Afrofuturism is are done by academics from outside of the community of Afrofuturistic writers. This paper asks the question: what are the forces that define Afrofuturism for both readers and for authors? Answering this question requires the in depth reading and analysis of both short stories and novels written by both Black and Non Black authors whose works have been classified in the afrofuture genre. Then, common themes and artistic stylings, as well as the context surrounding each work, will inform how this paper defines the term afrofuturism and how and if it can be applied in each piece.