bp 6 afrofuturism
Afrofuturism is a genre that allows individuals the space to imagine, dream, and create. Afrofuturistic works like, Walking Awake by N.K. Jemson are words that give strength to those trying to break away from the worlds of their own. It is a story of a worker confined by the restraints of her job-- and her duties as a worker. Her life is composed of switching bodies and lives out from one another to those in power called the Masters. Throughout the story, she grows more and more aware of her stance-- and realizing that taking none is siding with the oppressor. I think this is really relevant to what we see in the world today whether it is about racism, Black Lives Matter, or Israel-Palestine conflicts. There are a huge amount of people that are blinded by the privileges that they have compared to others. Living in America, we are especially blind because we live in a country that is founded on fragmented truths and manipulative lies. This story is a story about recognizing that privilege and what to do with that newfound recognition and knowledge. It is a battle between comfort or discomfort. It makes us think back to our own lives and what stances we are taking in real time. The beauty of this story is that it evokes thought, change, and action. It requires individuals to reflect on their own lives and inspires them to take some kind of action-- even if they are unaware of what that act might be. It reminds me of the thoughts I have everyday of whether or not I am doing enough with the little power I do have. But as a single person, the only power you have is to push others in order to create a domino effect of revolts and realizations. For the main character, Sadie it was somewhat easier to handle the issue at hand, it was obvious and unlayered. But when reflecting on the times we are in now-- it makes me think of how minimal progress is. It is there, and it gives hope. But, fighting a centuries old enemy with the width of the world is difficult. Anyways, on a less depressing note-- my favorite line was, “No revolution without blood. No freedom without willingness to die.” I think this quote can work physically and mentally or metaphorically. Freedom takes sacrifice.

















