The African Diaspora Speculative
Fiction Renaissance is happening now, at this very moment as you read this post.
The year 2013 offers Steamfunk, Sword and Soul, AFRO Futurism, Black Sci-fi,
AFRO Sci-fi, and many other genres in literature, graphic arts, film, animation
and music.
There is an uprising among smart, innovative people.
They represent many cultures and experiences. A tangible revolution
is being lead by those who resent and rebel against the publishing, music and film making
industry that has been too long controlled by narrow-minded bean counters who
are dedicated to social programming and marketing for corporate profits.
Spiderman, Superman, Batman reboots threaten
to overwhelm the creative landscape. Star Wars, Star Trek, Star Gate have been
endlessly recycled into an entertainment mush.
Dr. Who is now "who" really cares -- there will never be a nonwhite
or female Dr. Who (although, the Dr. Who franchise should be praised for
presenting nonwhite characters in supporting roles since the 1960s).
The Internet and e-books explosion has made
us a truly global society. And like the
universal "Big Bang", many new centers of thought are coalescing, swirling
together and birthing new bright lights.
Writers from Africa, Europe, Asia, urban USA
are emerging as spheres of influence and inspiration.
The Black Science Fiction Society
turned five-years-old on March 8, 2013. For many aspiring and established African
Diaspora Speculative creators, this is a much celebrated event. The BSFS has more than 3,000 members and is
growing. It has spawned or influenced anthologies, short films, graphic arts,
comics and fandom. Likewise, the Black Sci-Fi.com another coalition has offered
news, interviews and commentary on the current state of African American
Science Fiction. The Carl Brandon Society promotes multicultural representation
in speculative fiction. There are many, many other online communities that
promote Afro Futurism, African American Science Fiction, Black Sci-fi and
"the other" in speculative arts -- please use Google to help push-up
their rankings.
If you could hop into the time machine that
you hid in the rear of your garage or closet and set the dials back to 2008,
what would you tell your past self?
"Self," you could say, "Write a new speculative short
story every month, and twice a year self-publish an e-book." That productivity would be a valuable asset, today.
Many fans are seeking Imaro, Mamba Queen,
Black Panther, Static Shock, Brotherman, Changa and other characters of color
for their Kindles, Nooks and I-Pads.
Hop back into your time machine and go
into the future to the year 2018. Look around and ask
yourself what was the result of the African Diaspora Spec Fiction
Renaissance? Have most screen actors been
replaced by digital software. Is music truly free--we only pay for concerts and
t-shirts. PCs should be nearly obsolete; most everyday devices should have the
processing power of the Apollo Lunar space craft. Is everyone will digitally
connected via eyewear. Will virtual reality allowing smell, touch and taste
along with visual stimulation, offer exotic new literary arts.
The world will be smaller but
exploration of our solar system will vastly expand our view of the universe
back to its beginnings. Our creative artists will drink deeply from this river
of knowledge. Our stories will take us to the edge of creation and beyond.
Back into the time machine!
It is March 2013, we can learn from the
past and influence the future by participating in the African Diaspora
Speculative Fiction Renaissance and shaping the course of our world, now.
In 2015, we can take the next step forward.
