Ask ChatGPT About Black Sci-Fi

ChatGPT is an incredible artificial intelligence program that answers your questions. The software is free to use. Go to:  https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt

I asked ChatGPT to provide me with keywords and concepts that best describe African-American Science Fiction. Within seconds, I received a response. The AI spoke in a soft female voice, saying the following:

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African American science fiction can be described with several keywords that capture its unique themes, perspectives, and cultural influences. Some of these keywords include:

1. Afrofuturism: A cultural aesthetic that combines elements of African diaspora history, science fiction, fantasy, and technology to explore themes of race, identity, and social justice in futuristic or alternate realities.

2. Identity: Exploration of racial identity, cultural heritage, and the intersectionality of various identities within the context of speculative fiction settings.

3. Social commentary: Critique and examination of contemporary societal issues, including racism, systemic oppression, colonialism, and cultural resilience, through the lens of speculative fiction.

4. History and mythology: Incorporation of African and African American history, folklore, and mythology into science fiction narratives to create rich and diverse storytelling landscapes.

5. Speculative futures: Imagining alternative futures for African diaspora communities, envisioning utopian or dystopian societies, and exploring the impact of technology and science on marginalized groups.

6. Resistance and empowerment: Themes of resistance, resilience, and empowerment in the face of oppression and adversity, often featuring protagonists who challenge existing power structures and forge paths of liberation.

7. Diasporic connections: Exploration of connections between African diaspora communities across the globe, highlighting shared experiences, cultural exchanges, and collective struggles.

8. Hybridity: Embracing hybridity and cultural fusion, blending elements of science fiction with various cultural traditions, languages, and artistic expressions to create innovative storytelling forms.

9. Intersectionality: Representation of diverse experiences and perspectives within African American communities, including gender, sexuality, class, and ability, and their intersection with issues of race and identity.

10. Futuristic aesthetics: Visual and stylistic elements that reflect an Afrocentric vision of the future, incorporating vibrant colors, futuristic fashion, and innovative design inspired by African and African American cultures.

These keywords provide a glimpse into the rich and multifaceted world of African American science fiction, which continues to evolve and expand with each new generation of writers and artists.

Using AI to get Hip with the Tech

 AI or Artificial Intelligence is not new; although AI's latest applications/uses are almost magical. The genie is out of the bottle. Black folks need to be aware and willing to take advantage of AI as well as know its dangers to our freedoms. 

The image above was created using an AI drawing program called Wonder AI. It is very easy to use and assists us in expressing our thoughts in new, educational, and entertaining ways. It is important to remember that humans will always be superior to AI. AI is merely a tool that we master. Using AI, anyone can create impressive images, music, videos, books, and research. 

AI also has its drawbacks. For instance, artists and writers have complained that AI steals their work and represents it without compensation to the human creator. Also, there are privacy issues. No one wants to be tracked by computer. Law enforcement has erroneously used AI to arrest the wrong people. 

So, get with the program. Many AI applications are free to use and require no knowledge of computer programming. Only your creativity and imagination are required.

The Architects of AFROFuturism

 

Black Santa's Helpers?

Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UFOs/flying saucers) could impact Africa as the world acknowledges the existence of other celestial intelligence visiting Earth during the 2023 holiday season.

We may need more parking spaces where we shop. 

 

Get Ready for AFROCentric Social Media Explosion

Explosion may be overstating but not by much. There is excitement and momentum building that we should pay critical attention to.

People of Color are not strangers to the technology of social media. We have been involved with the tech since the first newsgroups went online at 300 baud and dial-up modems. Social media platforms are the hot new tech. There are many options. AFRO developers are challenging the failing "X" (formerly known as Twitter, and the anemic Facebook). New Social Media platforms are being promoted.

Vote with Social Media. Spread your message via Social Media. Revolutions have been spread via Social Media. Now, Black people have a choice in their Social Media. This is important.

Join me on The Backroom.

Last Note:

If anyone claims that they are "old school" and aren't familiar with current Social Media, web conferencing (Zoom), chat, streaming or email apps, remind them that this is not new tech. It has been around for decades and is available to anyone willing to take advantage of useful apps that are important in our lives. No advanced expertise is needed, only a willingness to learn and adapt.

AFROFuturist Poetry: The Cold War Poem #1

 

They say,

 

nuclear politics,

like drool from a rabid dog,

is safe when kept at bay;

 

They say,

 

reinforced concrete

and chains of command

isolate the mindless rage;

 

They say,

 

they won’t be the first

to lift the latch

set the gears to grind and lurch;

 

and They say,

 

even if suddenly it leaps unleashed,

the dripping jaws will viciously clamp

on all bare flesh no less

-- sbattle

 Revenge of the Waters

A Lake Swallows a Prosperous Black Town Because . . . White People Were Afraid

Artifacts of African's smiles, tears, and achievements were drowned and covered over by deep river water.  The bones of churches, banks, and schools lay scattered on the muddy bottom. Ripples remained and propogated. And, so, did revenge. 

The lake is dangerous to swim in. Currents, gators, thick snakes and demonic predators rise from the depths to snatch victims. 

On muddy shores were footprints of monstrous size, bone shards, jagged tooth fragments and long bloody smears over the swamp grass. Not a safe place to be at night, alone.

In the next installment of the AFROFuturist Bible, we explore the revenge of African Mermaids when one of their princesses is captured.

 

What's Next for AFROFuturism?

Peer into the near future. What are the prospects for Black people? What should we prepare for?  

AFROFuturism is gaining more traction in the mainstream. People talk about it. However, few individuals can clearly define it. It is more than catchy pop tunes or Black Panther's Wakanda. 

Octavia Butler most likely never used the term, yet, her writings -- especially the "Parable" books -- are definitely AFROFuturistic. Historically, there have been AFROFuturists who never would have considered themselves to be AFROFuturists. The word didn't exist. But the concept did. It has changed our lives for the better. (See my Architects of AFROFuturism post.)

What's next for AFROFuturism?

Africans have always been advanced technological people. Africans built stone structures that remain to be the greatest marvels in all of human history. 

Music, art, dance, movies, and editorial are all part of AFROFuturism. The next phase is tech. AFROFuturism will embrace, expand and exploit new technologies to better our world. 

More on that in future posts. 

Meet the Architects of AFROFuturism

 

February 17th -- FREE E-Book On Amazon

Why is this image so important to Black History (365) . . . 

Black History is more than Harriet, Frederick, and Martin who are heroic people who should be honored and hoisted. However,  lesser-acknowledged names such as Sutton, George, Pauline, Leslie, Martin (D), Thomas, and Charles should be considered.  (Today, Octavia is well known.)

The men and women depicted in this image are some (not all!) of the "Architects" of AFROFuturism. They are the creators of speculative fiction that present positive portraits of people of color who pushed beyond their circumstances to imagine a brighter future. 

We are diverse people with diverse genius and diverse aspirations. AFROFuturism is a significant aspect of that genius.

We must explore and immerse ourselves amongst these pioneers of thought and inspiration, not just during Black History Month but for the entire year. Get started now!

Sutton E Griggs

Sutton Elbert Griggs (June 19, 1872 – January 2, 1933) was an author, Baptist minister, and social activist. He is best known for his novel Imperium in Imperio, a utopian work that envisions a separate African-American state within the United States.

George S Schuyler

George  Samuel Schuyler born in 1895 was a controversial writer and socialist. He rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. In his book "Black Empire" he wove a fantastic tale of ray guns, futurist airships, biological warfare, and Africa conquering Europe.

Pauline Hopkins

Pauline Elizabeth Hopkins born in 1859 was an American novelist, journalist, playwright, historian, and editor. Her novel follows the adventures of Reuel, a mixed-race American, as he travels to Ethiopia from America searching for treasure. The book explores issues of love, identity, trauma, and spirituality through the perspective of the African-American community. 

L.A. Banks

Leslie Esdaile Banks  (1959 to 2011) is a recent AFROFuturtist.  LA Banks is credited with creating the first African-American vampire huntress. She wrote a series of books that put color into a genre that traditionally neglected anyone, not of European descent. L.A. faced many challenges in the publishing industry and with readers. She was prolific until her last days on Earth.

Martin Delany

Martin Robison Delany (May 6, 1812 – January 24, 1885) was an abolitionist, journalist, physician, soldier, writer, and arguably the first proponent of black nationalism in America. Blake: or, the huts of America, a novel. In one of the subtexts of Blake is to show the difference between the realities of Slavery and the picture Stowe painted in Uncle Tom. Indeed, Daleny's hero Henry Blake is placed in the exact same place time and position as Uncle Tom, but instead of heroically suffering and dying and inspiring while refusing to physically resist slavery, Henry Blake runs away from slavery to organize an international revolution against slavery

Thomas Mofolo

Thomas Mofolo was born in Khojane, Lesotho, on 22 December 1876. Mofolo composed Chaka (1925), a fictionalized account of the Zulu conqueror who built a mighty empire during the first quarter of the 19th century. Under Mofolo's pen, the eventful career of Chaka (Shaka) becomes the epic tragedy of a heroic figure whose overweening ambition drives him to insane cruelty and ultimate ruin.

Charles Chestnutt

Charles W Chesnutt's most notable book is The Conjure Woman (1899), a fantastic collection of stories set in postbellum North Carolina. The lead character Uncle Julius, a formerly enslaved man, entertains a white couple from the North, who have moved to the farm, with fantastical tales of antebellum plantation life. Julius' tales feature such supernatural elements as haunting, transfiguration, and conjuring, which were typical of Southern African-American folk tales.

See Stafford Battle on Amazon Books!

The New Face of Religion

A brief passage from my new book: The AFROFuturist Bible.  

After bravely protecting his beloved princess from a vicious attack by the local army militia, our hero continues revealing his tale with his usual literary flourish and generous sips of red wine. A congregation  has gathered on the Atlantic Ocean beach to hear him boldly preach. Bonfires were lit. Drummers and dancers celebrated. Food and booze.

He boomed:

"So, Judeo-Christianity is an African religion. Mami Wata, the Supreme African Matriarch, is the beginning of all spiritual thought. The crude Medieval European warlords usurped these beliefs to control their progressing peasant populations, who were realizing how to read and revolt. The International merchant classes sought to re-enforce the enslavement of human beings and create profit via various forms of bogus bibles and religious treatises and misguided doctrines. 

 

Pure Christianity started as a sensible reflection of life. Pure Islam and Hinduism, at least in the early scrolls, promoted peace and tolerance and interaction. All worldwide mythologies have African roots. But Europeans favored the artistic style and grace of Renaissance genius that strategically blotted out African and Asian influences. My parables clearly expose the failing fallacies of religion and mythology.”  

I stopped speaking to allow a moment of contemplation and more wine. Jesus loved wine. He was buzzed most of the time during his short life when he was preaching. He was a fun party guy. We all liked him and helped him with that big round rock when he died.

A passage from the AFROFuturist Bible by Stafford L Battle 

There are many aspects of religion and mythology that my book explores. For instance, there are common roots in mythology and religion that people don't like to talk about. Similar gods and saints, heroes and demons, cheating husbands and luscious vixens. Sacrifice (human and animal) is common. Worldwide floods are frequent. Droughts. There are real monsters and great wisdom. Anger and forgiveness. Resurrections. Retribution. Read.

It is available on Amazon!!

The New AFROCyberspace 2021

We Are Coming Back!

Hey! I got a great idea. Actually it was my wife's suggestion to bring back AFROCyberspace.What is AFROCyberspace? Years ago, Rey Harris (sadly deceased) and I wanted to promote the presence of people of color on the Internet (before the World Wide Web). With the help of McGraw-Hill, we published a book, and travelled the country to talk about cyberspace and how black and brown folks were taking of advantage of the new technology.

It was successful culturally, but not monetarily, however, it opened a lot of eyes and fueled ambition to stay focused. That was a good thing.

Life happens. We all get involved in a lot of stuff (two wonderful grandsons, etc, etc., ) so there were distractions good and bad.

But observing what is taking taking place, now, I believe that we need a new and improved AFROCyberspace based on Blockchain tech to ensure that the corporate feudal lords can't keep us poor and stupid barely surviving on choked bandwidth and faked news that allows the rich to get richer while most of us suffer, needlessly.

We need a new look and new avenues to expand into that are free from crass profit-driven greed. We need a plan.

Thus, the New AFROCyberspace is about to be born; open to everyone who thinks outside of the box and cares about their fellow citizens around the world.

More to come. . . .