In this paper, I explore the novel “Black No More” through the eyes of a character of my own creation. I imagine that we find the notes of Dr. Hertz who works with Dr. Junius Crookman in his clinic. He assists in the project of changing Black people’s skin color to white. Dr. Hertz, a Jew, sees in this process a chilling warning to all minorities and oppressed peoples.
In this paper I explored the genres of "horror noire" and afrofuturism by utilizing themes in the drama series "Lovecraft Country", and highlighted the importance of accurate representation. "Lovecraft Country" reframes the experience of Black people in the 1950's Jim Crow while including supernatural elements.
The film "Black Panther" is the combination of authentic African cultural references, science fiction and technology, specifically in the main character, T’Challa. He represents the Afrofuturism framework because he is embedded in African tradition and technology. T'Challa defies stereotypes, supports black liberation and projects the future possibilities of the Black community.
"Attack the Block" is a British film that follows a group of teenage boys in South London during an alien invasion. It is up to the boys to defeat the aliens and save the "block" that they live in. This is not only an amazing film for anyone to watch but it also does a fantastic job of defying the norms. It fits in the afrofuturist genre because it is a science fiction movie that follows a racially integrated group of teenagers who end up saving the day. The film focuses on the main character Moses, a misguided Black teenager who is a leader and role model to his friends. Moses isn't perfect but he saves his "block" from the attack and ends up a hero.
"The Evening and the Morning and the Night" by Octavia Butler captures many societal problems we see, specific to race and disabilities. Butler uses metaphor in this short story to examine the intersections of race, discrimination, oppression, mental illness, disability, and healthcare through an afrofuturist mindset.
Jordan Peele's "Get Out" is a revolutionary film that depicts a Black protagonist in the Horror Noire genre. The film falls within the the afrofuturist cannon because of its role reversals and the way in which Peele subtly addresses racial trauma and the legacy of slavery in a horror story.
For centuries, there has been a divide between people, created by the people. This divide has been used to classify people by the color of their skin, somehow translating into their worth as members of society. This divide is the "color line." Author W.E.B. DuBois pondered this over one hundred years ago in his afrofuturistic work, ”The Comet." Unfortunately, the problem has yet to be resolved.
Manufacturing still occurs in China to this day but it is not nearly the imbalanced relationship that it once was. China does not simply make goods for the American consumer at a lower price, now there is significant trade back and forth of both American and Chinese goods. As such, China has a much larger influence over the American economy than ever before.
