Sun Ra Jazz musician Sun Ra performs in Central Park, New York City. (more) Afrofuturism cultural movement Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/event/Afrofuturism Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by August Samie August Hu Samie is Professor of Ethnic Studies at Ohlone College, Fremont. He holds a Ph.D. in Eurasian and Islamic Studies from the University of Chicago. August Samie Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Mar 11, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is Afrofuturism? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Afrofuturism is a cultural movement blending art, science, and technology with African and African diasporic history and culture; reimagining the Black experience; and envisioning alternate empowered futures through speculative and innovative lenses." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " Who coined the term u201CAfrofuturismu201D? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Mark Dery coined the term u201CAfrofuturismu201D in his 1994 essay u201CBlack to the Future.u201D" } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What early works are considered precursors to Afrofuturism? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Phillis Wheatleyu2019s poem u201COn Imaginationu201D (1773) and Martin R. Delanyu2019s Blake; or the Huts of America (1859u201362) are considered early precursors to Afrofuturism." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How did Sun Ra contribute to Afrofuturism? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Sun Ra exemplified Afrofuturism through his avant-garde music, elaborate performances, and philosophical teachings, positioning himself as an alien from Saturn promoting peace and enlightenment through music." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What impact did Black Panther have on Afrofuturism? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Marvelu2019s Black Panther (2018) introduced Afrofuturistic themes to a global audience, showcasing the commercial viability of Black-led stories and offering a vision of African potential free from colonization." } } ] } Top Questions What is Afrofuturism? Afrofuturism is a cultural movement blending art, science, and technology with African and African diasporic history and culture; reimagining the Black experience; and envisioning alternate empowered futures through speculative and innovative lenses.

　　Who coined the term “Afrofuturism”? Mark Dery coined the term “Afrofuturism” in his 1994 essay “Black to the Future.”

　　What early works are considered precursors to Afrofuturism? Phillis Wheatley’s poem “On Imagination” (1773) and Martin R. Delany’s Blake; or the Huts of America (1859–62) are considered early precursors to Afrofuturism.

　　How did Sun Ra contribute to Afrofuturism? Sun Ra exemplified Afrofuturism through his avant-garde music, elaborate performances, and philosophical teachings, positioning himself as an alien from Saturn promoting peace and enlightenment through music.

　　What impact did Black Panther have on Afrofuturism? Marvel’s Black Panther (2018) introduced Afrofuturistic themes to a global audience, showcasing the commercial viability of Black-led stories and offering a vision of African potential free from colonization.

　　Afrofuturism, cultural movement blending art, science, and technology with African and African diasporic history and culture, reimagining the Black experience and envisioning alternate empowered futures through speculative and innovative lenses in art, film, television, writing, and music. Afrofuturism has its origins in the works of Black authors, musicians, and artists who imagined a future where Black people held agency and were free from the constraints of systemic racism. Mark Dery, who coined the term “Afrofuturism” in his essay “Black to the Future” (1994) described it as “speculative fiction that treats African-American themes and addresses African-American concerns in the context of ...(100 of 794 words)

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