Ytasha Womack and John Jennings are committed to Afrofuturism and its importance to the African Diaspora

The Black artist and scholar discuss Afrofuturism latest emergence in conversation with Illinois Humanities

By Vee L. Harrison

The Afrofuturism movement in art uniquely merges science fiction, Black culture, and Black history in spaces that are dedicated to helping preserve its relevance and value in the arts, globally. Illinois Humanities, recently hosted a virtual event to spark dialogue about this three-dimensional, extraterrestrial art realm and its relationship to Black history.

Illinois Humanities hosted AFROFUTURISM: A VIRTUAL CONVERSATION on the 154th birthday of W.E.B. DuBois, author of the 1920’s Afrofuturist, sci-fi short “The Comet”. The event featured a discussion with Chicago’s critically acclaimed filmmaker, dancer, scholar, and award-winning author of Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci Fi & Fantasy Culture (2013) Ytasha Womack, and curator, scholar, professor and bestselling author of a variety of graphic novels, John Jennings.

“Everyone has a relationship to their own future, regardless of where you are in the world, what culture, they are a part of how you identify,” said Womack. “Because of that, there are always these works that are symbolic of a person looking to see where they are in time and space. Some of those ideas become philosophies and those philosophies are evident in our art,” she offered.

Womack’s work in the Afrofuturism space has received honors including Design Hub’s 40 Under 40 designers for social good and innovation in 2017 and she was recently listed by Chicago Tribune as a “Filmmaker to Watch.” Womack said she is dedicated to the African diaspora and human life, and this is what makes a difference in her work as an artist, dancer, and writer.

“Don’t forget to envision a world that values humanity,” Womack said, a mantra that she lives by through her works.

Womack was joined during the discussion by John Jennings. The New York Times best-selling author is a graphic novelist of titles including After the Rain, an adaptation of Nnedi Okorafor’s short “On the Road” and an adaptation of Octavia Butler’s Kindred. His contribution to Afrofuturism includes not only an array of novels, but also his teachings as a professor of Media and Cultural Studies at the University of California at Riverside, where he examines the visual culture of race in film and novels through Afrofuturism. Visit the John Jennings Studio online to view more on Jennings and his award-winning graphic novels and designs.

Jennings said during his teachings and lectures, he use modern shows like Lovecraft Country, an HBO drama series starring Jurnee Smollet and Jonathan Majors, to help the newest generation understand Afrofuturism and its connection to Black history and science fiction.

“[Lovecraft Country] focuses on Black trauma and on reconciliation of these issues. This is a major TV production that focuses on the Tulsa race massacre of 1921 and has become part of pop culture through Afrofuturism,” said Jennings. This is how we keep Afrofuturism relevant in all spaces and genres.”