Afrofuturism

American  

[af-roh-fyoo-chuh-riz-uhm] / ˌæf roʊˈfyu tʃəˌrɪz əm /

noun

1. a cultural movement that uses the frame of science fiction and fantasy to reimagine the history of the African diaspora and to invoke a vision of a technically advanced and generally hopeful future in which Black people thrive: this movement is expressed through art, cinema, literature, music, fashion, etc.

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Other Word Forms

• Afrofuturist noun

Etymology

Origin of Afrofuturism

Afro- ( def. ) + futurism ( def. ); coined by U.S. author and critic Mark Dery (born 1959) in his essay “Black to the Future” (1993) published in Flame Wars: The Discourse of Cyberculture (1994)

Example Sentences

She spoke with The New York Times about what Afrofuturism means to her, the process of weaving the genre’s themes with core concepts in physics and how the show aims to inspire.

From New York Times • Mar. 16, 2024

Iwájú, which actually means future in the Yoruba language, is "specific in it's Afrofuturism" by presenting a "solid sense of the Nigerian identity", according to the review.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2024

It is a minimal, meditative listening experience — in some ways, ancient and, in others, an extension of the Afrofuturism that André 3000 has always worked to bring to the forefront.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 4, 2023

It is a minimal, meditative listening experience - in some ways, ancient and, in others, an extension of the Afrofuturism that André 3000 has always worked to bring to the forefront.

From Washington Times • Dec. 4, 2023

The work of the late Mother of Afrofuturism, Octavia E. Butler, who lived in Altadena, will also play a big role in next year’s proceedings.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 31, 2023