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The Devil in America. Written by Kai Ashante Wilson. Theme: racial violence

The Devil in America is a nonlinear story narrated by Easter, a young black 12-year-old girl, post-Civil War in the United States. Easter has magical powers that she believes were given to her by angels. What is problematic here is, as most of us know, a child does not have the psychological or emotional capacity to handle any access to powers. What does or would a child do with power? They are curious beings. So, therefore, Easter mistakenly abuses her powers. ​

Although this story takes place during the post-Civil War era, Wilson dwells on current affairs in the U.S. and is noted that this short story is fictional. What we do find real are the black experiences of racial violence that have occurred for decades. Wilson’s letter, signed, “Dad," reflects on a period beginning with the mentioning of The Devil in America demonstrates the evilness that runs deep in America’s past that leaked into our present-day society of racial violence. The story of Easter and how she so lovingly describes her family. We must understand not to get too comfortable with what might lie ahead. Also, we see many devastating events of Pa and his conversation with Ma’am and the story of how a white woman by the name of Miss Anne makes accusations about a black man who allegedly set fire to a town, which she witnessed him running from the area. In addition, she stated that the black man, along with others, had assaulted her. Statements like this are often told many times over without any proof throughout the years.

The Devil in America is set in a place called Rosetree, which may infer to Rosewood, Florida. In 1923, there were approximately 100 plus murders during a riot because a lady named Fannie Taylor stated a black man in Sumner beat her up. Again, Fannie and Miss Anne were both from white communities. There was no evidence that her attack could be found in her city of Sumner. However, white men took it upon themselves to kill many blacks who lived in Rosewood, then eventually burning the municipality. The attackers in Wilson’s story are biased individuals from an adjacent town who are protected due to Esther’s character, who agreed with the devil.

Lastly, we should not blame little Easter for dipping and dabbling and collaborating with the evil. Nor hold Hazel Mae accountable for her telling her daughter about Africa’s magic. Those who took black bodies from their motherland into a foreign land only to steal the true power they possessed are to blame.

We see how Wilson meshed devils, angels, and magic is exciting and makes a good read. The storyline was a bit tough to follow at times, but Wilson’s creativeness made it worth the journey. Sadly many lives were lost in this story, that being black children, killed at the hands of white folks in fear of their own lives.

I look forward to reading more from the author.

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Loneliness is in Your Blood

Loneliness is in Your Blood. Written by Cadwell Turnbull. (2018). Themes: horror, belonging, love, time, cyclesSince the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, many of us have talked about the emotional toll the virus has taken on us in our personal and professional lives. Some say they experienced social, emotional, and mental challenges prior to the pandemic. Loneliness can be found in many demographics, including married, single, or professional with thriving careers. Long-term loneliness can have a tremendously negative effect on us both mentally and physically, which takes me to the most recent horror story I read about loneliness.Loneliness in Your Blood is a horror story about belonging, love, time, and cycles. The protagonist is a monster-like creature that is a human bloodsucker; she is weak in connecting with humanity. She goes through these cycles of trying to escape this loneliness that she constantly finds herself in. There is a method to her madness. She lurks in the darkness when her prey is asleep and fills herself with their blood. Does she mind if she is lonely? Who knows if anyone notices her?

She is known to the people about her works. However, it does not matter to her. She thinks she is correct and beautiful. One thing she does have is lovers. She is a smooth operator; she lurks at night and fulfills her desires from both men and women. Her prey is weak. However, the monster still is a lonely creature. Time is no longer on her side; she is aging. The story tells of her predatory ways. She does not want to bond with people; she only wants their blood. She is a control freak filled with a deep thirst for her prey.She has a desire to connect with humans but does not have the know-how. She lives in a vicious cycle, with a one-track mind. Soon and very soon, she will run out of time, thirsting more and more. How amazing! The story takes us through this slow re-winding journey of the monster's birth. We see her failures along the way. Has she learned any valuable lessons? I think not. She is always thirsty for more. Her life is an empty void. Change is not on her side. She enjoys these vicious cycles, which are not easy to break.This story is intense and engaging and well worth the read.

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Wet Pain. Written by Terence Taylor. (2007). Themes: racism, black horror, queer horror, isolation

When I first glanced at the short story, Wet Pain, written by Terence Taylor, subconsciously, I thought this must be a typographical error, as did Taylor. He began his introductory paragraph: "I once saw a sign on a pillar in a New York City subway station, WET PAIN, not sure if it was a mistake or had another meaning.” Sometimes life presents warning signs such as this that make absolutely no sense.

In this short story, you will find racism, black horror, queer horror, and isolation themes. The setting takes place in 2005, during Hurricane Katrina, with thousands of death and a massive amount of damage in New Orleans, Louisiana, and nearby areas. Hurricanes are horror in themselves. The black citizens who lived in the city and mainly in the Ninth Ward received very little attention or support from the local and federal government. The so-called leaders did not give a damn about those affected by this catastrophe. Evil is displayed in many forms and the “WET PAIN” that Taylor writes about in his story.

What began as two seemingly friendly co-workers, Dean, a white American guy, and Greg, an African American man, took a horrific turn when Dean’s world became topsy turvy. He went from friendly to evil, name-calling Greg, “nigger and faggot, and calling his wife a “bitch.” Unbeknownst to most of us, we never know who a person is until their circumstances or situations change. The demon that lives within will eventually show its ugly head(s). Do not fear because the “WET PAIN” has not dried up in this country with racism as of this date, 2021. Is this what Taylor is indicating in this short story? What you see before you appear to be an error, but mentally, it makes one ponder and realize its reality. Often we are hoping that the horrors of life would go away and leave us alone, but we as citizens in this country and people worldwide know things are still the same. Metaphorically, the massive Katrina Hurricane reminds us of the fluidity of racism as deep and wide as the ocean, the drifting of black bodies dying in the flooded waters, isolation, and just not giving a damn.

Taylor’s brillIance in “WET PAIN,” is like fresh paint waiting to be dried by the circulation of air in a well-ventilated area. We are hoping that the odor is not a stench in our nostrils. How long, America? How long, world, must we wait for the “WET PAIN” sign to be removed?

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The Good House (2003), written by Tananarive Due. Themes: family connections, isolation, racism, secrets, sexual abuse, outsider

Every family has a reputation in their community, whether it is good or bad. There are specific qualities that must be possessed to earn the respect of your neighbors. Each family member must be clothed in high standards, good morals, and values, or walk-in humbleness and live a quiet, respectable life is a brief example of a “good house.” Do you live in a “good house?” Or, is your house filled with intergenerational trauma? Many families experience this cycle year after year and can go unresolved.

This novel I have been reading this week, The Good House, by Tananarive Due, is about a woman named Angela Toussaint, who returns one summer to her late grandmother’s home, located in Sacagawea, Washington. The community loved Angela’s grandmother’s home so much; they called it “Good House.” Most families would love to be respected by their neighbors. When Angela returned, she had no problem with anyone. It was not considered a black community. Angela was one of a handful of blacks in that neighborhood. Can we say today that we are welcomed where we live? That was not always the case when Angela’s grandmother was younger.

Sometimes, we find ourselves returning to that place or space that felt very comfortable to us as a child. Just like Angela, she went to the house to connect with her son and her ex-husband. Can we count the many times that we have reached out to a loved one to rectify a situation or make it right or find that inner peace? However, only to find out it does not always go as planned, as seen in the Good House. Sometimes, we must leave certain things alone. Tragedy hits the family and neighborhood; some committed murder, suicide, and others experienced insanity. Angela’s family will never be the same.

Angela’s goal was to search for answers about her son, Corey’s death, and the trauma Sacagawea experienced. The Good House is a good read if you are an avid reader and love horror stories. If not, you may find yourself putting the book down a few times and returning to it. Warning: There are many “TMI” (too much information) moments about Angela and her sex life. However, if you are mature, you may be able to get through this section. With all said and done, Good House is a good read.

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Themes in Us (2019): mystery, duality, horror, privilege, fear of the other. Written and directed by Jordan Peele.

My parents did not allow my sister and me to watch horror films; they said it was unsuitable for a young child's mind, and we would have nightmares about evil. So, therefore, I remained uninterested in horror films for most of my young life, regardless of its popularity. Instead, we were allowed to watch The Lion King, Jumanji, and The Rug Rats Film. These films seemed safer than horror like Saw, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, and Orphan. My perspective on horror films continued throughout my college years. It was a different story when it came to my friends. They would give me a line-by-line review of the latest and the scariest film releases whenever we’d hang out. Most of their parents were part of the audience.

As a student at UCLA, I've heard classmates make suggestions about an exciting class worthy of enrollment, The Sunken Place: Racism, Survival and the Black Horror Aesthetic taught by Professor Tananarive Due. So, I was fortunate to be enrolled and not have to be waitlisted. The word on campus was professor Due's classes fill up rather quickly. From day one, I was "hooked" on understanding the dynamics of black horror, what it means to be a black protagonist, and not having to be the first person to die in a film. This term, I viewed two of Jordan Peele's films, Get Out, an award winner for the best original film, with themes of slavery, racism, and trauma. Peele's film, Us, is not your typical horror film. It was bigger than self-reflection, but more about society collectively looking themselves in the mirror, seeing an image that looks like them.

Peele's interview with National Public Radio (NPR) explained the doppelgänger myth and its representation in the film Us.

In Us, Adelaide's character, played by Lupita Nyong'o, was spectacular and realistic. She demonstrated the strength and compassion of a loving, caring black mother. In addition, Zora's character, played by Shahadi Wright Joseph, is to be applauded as a young actor. The cinematography, the perfect-looking red costumes, and the scoring of the music sounds make this a brilliant film. Jordan Peele is to be commended for Us. Peele offered his audience an opportunity to reflect on a mirror image of "self." "We are them, and they are us."

References

Peele, J. (Director). (2017). Us [Film].Monkeypaw Productions, and Perfect World Productions.

Chang. E. (2019, March). Jordan Peele Looked Into the Mirror and Saw the Evil Inside Us https://www.npr.org/2019/03/22/705875221/jordan-peele-looked-into-the-mirror-and- saw-the-evil-inside-us

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Themes in Get Out Film (2017): racism, the commodification of black bodies, survival, imprisonment, deception, feeling of otherness, stereotypes, and much more.

The Film, Get Out (2017), written and directed by Jordan Peele, starring Daniel Kaluuya (Chris), Allison Williams (Rose), and Bradley Whitford (Dean), was a very personal experience for me. As a black male born and raised in America, I am constantly faced with racism, survival, imprisonment, deception, feeling of otherness, stereotyping, and so much more. I have had to look at it straight in the eyes and hold my "mule," or else I would be another young black male statistic. Racism against African Americans and other minorities groups has always been prevalent in this country, and it goes as far back to colonialism.

Peele is to be applauded for his boldness in presenting race in a horror film and captioning the title, Get Out. When I first saw the movie advertised a few years ago, I begged two questions: Why did Peele choose the title, Get Out? Also, if and when a black person gets out, then what? What Peele offered in this film was magnificent. He provided a panoramic view to the audience of what black horror is. The rhythmic music of our black ancestors singing in Swahili could be heard through the film. The song was titled, Sikiliza Kwa Wahenga, which translates to, listen to your ancestors.

When Chris and Rose were en route to her parent's house, a deer jumped out in front of the car and was killed. I knew, right then, this would be a thriller, a new beginning of something

big. You not only saw the terror in Chris' eyes, but you could also almost feel it. Right there was a "get out" moment. Chris was taken back to that sunken place when he experienced the death of his mother in a car accident. Then, later to discover the head of a buck on the mantlepiece in Rose's parents' home was not a coincidence but a reminder of what Rose's family represented. Their main goal was to capture the black male, aka "buck," as their prized possession. Interestingly, there was only one black female in the movie, Georgina, the servant, also known as Grandma, Rose's white grandmother in a black woman's body, who was the mother of a guy Rose dated and lured to her family home as she did with Chris.

Then, Andre, another black man lured to the property by abduction and has undergone a successful brain "trade" surgery. He comes out of a hypnotic state once Chris snaps a photo of him with his cell phone. He tells Chris to "get out." Chris finds comfort in his skin color but soon realizes that he is not a comrade as he does not "fit" the mold of blackness. He has been drained of his "black soul." The warning signs are all there about Rose's family. It is time for Chris to find a way to get out.

Our ancestors speak to us all the time. Do we listen to their voices? What does a black man do when he has fallen into that sunken place? Does he run and never confront the situation at hand? Or, does he face it and suffer the consequences, which may result in death? What matters the most is that those in a sunken place must realize it does not have to be a permanent place of existence. Get out while you can; there is hope!

References:

Peele, J. (Director). (2017). Get Out [Film]. Blumhouse Productions, Monkeypaw

Productions, Universal Pictures, QC Entertainment

Ascap.org. (2018, August 31). Michael Abels - "Sikiliza Kwa Wahenga" (from Get Out) @ 2018 ASCAP Screen Music Awards [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=sMh9BJ26LSg

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Flying Lotus: Until the Quiet Comes, A Short Film by Khalil Joseph

Flying Lotus: Until the Quiet Comes, is a short film directed by Khalil Joseph, who won the Sundance Film Festival’s Short Film Special Jury Award in 2012. The clip is three minutes and 50 seconds of awesome creativity, which is a backdrop of three of the songs on Flying Lotus’ album. The themes he connected, is of violence, urban style, and real-life. In this film Joseph has quite a unique style in which the “dead” dancing among the people of Nickerson Gardens housing projects in Los, Angeles. The album and the short film, Until the Quiet Comes is one of the most creative, yet complexed films that I have seen.

This is a brief overview of the sequences of the film and how it relates to African cosmology. Cosmology is the study of the physical universe considered as a totality of phenomena in time and space (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language). The narrative of this short film expresses the closeness of life and death and a police helicopters above in the summer skies over Nickerson Gardens, a housing projects of Los Angeles, California.

One of the beginning scenes is a boy, extending his fingers pretending to be shooting a gun while standing in an emptied, circular pool. It depicts what the community once represented, is now gone. The boy standing in an emptied (dryness) pool can be viewed as frustrations, of being at the bottom of life, at the bottom of your circumstances. Believing there is no way out of your current situation. Therefore all he can do is pretend, to have something in his hands that he really doesn’t. Therefore, he pretends to have a gun. Maybe, there is someone he wants to shoot,

because violence is all he has known in his community. Instead he pulls the “pretend” trigger and as a result shots are fired back at him. The clouds of smoke from the gunfire can be seen, but you don’t see the shooter(s). Did the bullets ricocheted from his own gun fire? The boy dies inside the emptied circular pool. Lying there as if blood was siphoned out of lifeless body. As he lay there, no one comes too close to his lifeless body. Maybe, this is just another

Still shot from “Until the Quiet Comes” normal day at Nickerson Gardens Housing Projects.

The helicopter is seen flying over the community. It’s just another day in the summer, in Nickerson Gardens, Los Angeles housing projects.

“Until the Quiet Comes” filmed in the Nickerson Gardens Projects. Los Angeles California

The scene changes to a clip, a recollection of the boy’s life, running in the same open field with his friend. Again, no adults in sight. Is this a sign of isolation and joy at the same time? It appears that there is a relationship with the boy who was shot in the pool in the beginning of the film.

Storyboard P, “Until the Quiet Comes”

As the body of the boy who was shot is left lying on the ground, complexed as it seems,

the film begins to run in reverse, slow motion. He gets up and starts dancing, in slow movements, which are complexed, yet interesting, He tears at his shirt showing his bullet wound. Is he the little boy who was shot in the beginning of the film? Not sure if he has a connection with the little boy who got shot in the beginning of the film.

This is PART ONE of my interpretation of the creative work of Flying Lotus and Khalil Joseph. PART TWO- coming soon. (If you have not watched this short film, I encourage you to do so).

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We are faced with challenges daily, which can be pretty overwhelming. The decision to accept or reject the challenge is totally up to us. It shapes us early in life. It can determine our successes and failures.

It is often said that nobody can tell your story better than you. We were not created as cutouts or caricatures. It saddened me as I watched the movie District 9. How dare you? I thought of the filmmaker. You could have done better! You colonizer! You small vision creature! You are not my ancestors or me. What was I thinking? Why did I expect more from someone whose lenses are covered with distortion?

District 9 is based on a former community in Capetown, South Africa. Its residents were forced out of their homes during the Apartheid in the 1970s.

The colonizers’ perspective is very subjective. It was evident in the interviews conducted by social scientists and others who could only assume the actual world of the aliens. Why not ask them? Do they not matter? Do they not have a voice? Or, is it because the colonized is not meant to be humanized. Is this the colonizers' view of the colonized?

Christoper Johnson, also an alien, communicated for the other prawns. Someone telling your story is a precursor for disaster. No one can tell your story better than you. Again, there is always a spokesperson for every group. He often speaks from his perspective.

District 9 was not a cozy, feel-good experience. Somehow I felt that I needed to manage my courage and inner strength and watch it in its entirety. Evil has no heart; decreasing others to increase yourself is one of the most awful things one can do.

It was very uncomfortable watching how the aliens were treated. Also, I was shocked how MNU caught Wickus and used him to do testing on the weapons. How humiliating that was to watch, as he killed an alien. There were so many metaphors in District 9 that are many lessons to be learned.

Professor Tananarive Due shed light that the movie was hiding behind the xenophobia in South Africa. We express fear of immigrants that enter the United States. Is it because of the unknown that we really fear? The filmmaker’s biases affected the truth that should have been seen in this movie. When you are telling someone else's story, make sure the whole truth lies in the middle. District 9 failed drastically in doing that.

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This week’s themes were: Afrofuturism and Alternate History, along with Future Shock in Afrofuturism, along with our guest speaker, Steven Barnes, Writer.

One of the most rewarding experiences this week was during our online class, Introduction to Afrofuturism, taught by Professor Tannanarive Due. During the latter session we had the pleasure of meeting one of the authors from our readings. His name is Mr. Steven Barnes, author of Lion’s Blood. It is a novel based on alternate history, “It is about Arabia discovering the New World and capturing British slaves to work and populate it.” Mr. Barnes’ writings include: science fiction, fantasy, and mystery. He has written novels, short fiction, screen plays for television, scripts for comic books, animation, newspaper copy, and magazine articles” He is also the husband of Professor Due.

This brings me to my next point. I was an honor and a pleasure to be in the presence of two great minds that engaged the students into their creative world of Afrofuturism and their passion for it. It was such a beautiful moment via zoom to see the love that they have for one another, nonverbal and verbal. Prior to Mr. Barnes’ introduction, Professor Due, shared a song from the Lion’s Blood album, Laddie are you working? What a beautiful collaboration of the music with the Lion’s Blood story. I listened closely as Professor Due and Mr. Barnes spoke about the novel, Lion’s Blood and how passionate Mr. Barnes was when he read, North Men in Chapter three from the book. At that moment I felt like a little child waiting to hear his father read to him, imagining the words that were spoken and lifted off of the pages and became my reality.

This is the beauty of alternate history, wandering what life would be if things were different. We live in a world in which certain things are no longer tolerated. The fact that someone says that we must accept it, does not make it right. Therefore, as a creative writer, alternate history can take you above and beyond the average person’s way of thinking. This is what Mr. Barnes did in his novel, Lion’s Blodd. Mr. Barnes shared some of the inner workings with the class of what it was like writing Lions’ Blood. He conducted six years of extensive research on his idea of Lion’s Blood. If that’s not passion, what is? Mr. Barnes faced many challenges during his writing season. It was during the time that America experienced the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack, and how the publishing company went in a different direction of the original title of the book, Insh Allah (God’s Will).

I learned a lot during the short time we had in class. It was not the quantity, but the quality of time spent. This day was a once in a lifetime event, where you not only have a professor who is a writer, who is so passionate about her work and life. She brings her husband, who is also a writer to the platform and shares an enormous amount of knowledge and passion as well, with the class. This is alternate history at its finest. I was honored and blessed to be a part of this wonderful learning experience, one that I will not forget. Afrofuturism and alternate history is hope for the future of black people. Insha Allah!

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As United States citizens, we can become too comfortable in our citizenry. Instead of a self- centered approach, let us take a moment and imagine what it would be like as a foreigner in another country. The thought alone seems chilling and frightening at the same time. People in the nation and across the world watched various news outlets in record breaking numbers in 2020 and previous years. There were many disturbing events that viewers experienced. One that comes to mind, and not that it has precedence over other important news, was the unfolding of the horrific sight of Mexican immigrants and their children being separated from one another by the border patrol at the border.

The U.S. is known as "a nation of immigrants.” As black citizens of this country, we should pause and take a deep look into our souls with our spiritual eyes and imagine the pain from the beatings and the sufferings from the abuse that our ancestors endured while transported during the “transatlantic slave trade.” They were stripped of their families and sold for the lowest price as if they were goods. A person's nationality should not matter. We are human beings; we all deserve to have a place to call home. Force should not be a mechanism in which to control society.

The movie “The Brother from Another Planet,” was a light bulb moment experience. The movie consisted of similar themes as the transatlantic slave trade and the immigrants at the Mexican border. Some of the themes were: “slavery, migration, escape, xenophobia, healing and repair, hyper-empathy, addiction, policing, urban segregation, and role of community.”

“The Brother from Another Planet" is a reminder of what we witness daily in modern society. When we try our best to escape or move forward from that place or space that we are no longer a part of, often, we face many challenges or deal with people, who want to take us back to where they think we belong. Alternatively, reminds us of our humble beginnings.

Memories of the place we called home sometimes are not always happy moments. On the flip side, it may have been the best experience in our lives. So, we learn to cope with the inner pain, whatever means necessary or continue our journey in life. Sometimes we may decide to be left behind.

“Daughters of the Dust,” is a movie about a family who was descendants of slaves who lived on an island. The family was isolated from the general population and holding onto their traditions of language and African roots. Then, only to be at odds with one another in deciding to move inland. As noted in “The Brother from Another Planet,” and “Daughters of the Dust,” their experiences are very similar. The themes were all so familiar: “slavery, isolation, migration, escape, segregation, and role of community.” After watching the movie “Daughters of the Dust,” was when the realization of how important it is for black families and especially women to learn how to love and respect one another. Collectively, it can work! Start, pause, start again!

In conclusion, it takes us to the video of “Sound and Color,” by Alabama Shakes, which had similar themes of migration, isolation, and escape as the previous mentioned movies, “Daughters of the Dust,” and “The Brother from Another Planet.” The character in “Sound and Color” is an astronaut and got lost in his journey. He has been away from his family for many, many years in isolation. He also realizes that he is also in a space where there is no sound or color, only longing to be with family again. The same story, life is such!

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Earthseed

America faces two significant problems: racial wealth gaps between whites and non-whites and the increasing racial wealth gap since COVID-19. The United States is a nation that has become diversely populated, and lawmakers must face the widening of the racial wealth gaps, more so since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our Earthseed community would seek shelter from public policies and policymakers that create the racial disparities in wealth that keep Americans divided.“Belief Initiates and guides action, or it does nothing” (Chapter 5). This verse speaks loudly; belief is the driving force; it is the first step toward addressing the problem. Solutions come through wisdom and knowledge. It will take time, new policies, more research, new policymakers, and a community effort to create change. Belief is a cog in the wheel. The action gets one to point B.

“All struggles are essentially power struggles. Who will rule, who will lead, who will define, refine, confine, design who will dominate? All struggles are essentially power struggles, and most are no more intellectual than two rams knocking their heads together” (Chapter 9). This verse voices the challenges that American lawmakers face, addressing the increasing gap in racial and wealth inequality. This verse is so powerful and repetitive. Policymakers avoiding the racial wealth gap minorities face in housing, education, and the workplace will not disappear on its own. Lawmakers must “man up” and face the music, or else we will continue to butt heads.

Our Earthseed community is in a rural area. Those invited would be the disadvantaged population of black and brown people who are denied equal access to housing, health, wealth, and education, along with a legal team of lawyers, doctors, medical workers, educators, farmers, nonprofit organizations, bankers, therapists, architects, artists, musicians, and others. They are considered the belief team who comes with a vision to plant the seed for the land on which our community will thrive.

Large corporations, politicians with a hidden agenda, and large healthcare groups would not be eligible to participate in the community. Their self-inflicted interest would not be a fit. As a faith community, we are looking for stakeholders who have our interests at heart.

Our community would use the affiliative leadership model. All lives matter with us.

We would create a technological device that tracks the stewardship behavior of all in the community.

Our Earthseed community would adapt permaculture living as our survival method. It is a system that would allow its members to live in harmony with nature at minimal cost and less negligible effect on the carbon footprint in this country. Designing and developing a permaculture lifestyle will create a better future for the Earth. Using the core values of a permaculture lifestyle of building ecosystems that feed people is necessary for human survival. We must take care of Mother Earth. We must take of her people. Change starts with ourselves, and then we branch out and help others. Lastly, commit to fair share. We are faced with so many challenges today, inequality being one. Let us remember to use what we need and share what we do not for those in need.

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space traders

Space Traders was a thought-provoking film that raised many questions. I've often wondered what it would be like if blacks did not live in America and what that would entail. Then, as I watched Space Traders, I realized how possible that could be.

In America, almost anything goes. The movie made me realize that if America was propositioned to trade-off blacks for "gold, advanced technology, safe nuclear power" for all blacks in this country, there is a possibility it would do so. Blacks must realize that when we were enslaved to the Americas, we were not only slaves, but we helped build this country's infrastructure from steel mills to the automobile industry. Our worth is valuable.

We also came to this country with our flavor of art, music, style, and culture. A lot of famous white artists imitated our music. Today, black music is heard throughout the world. Black contemporary fashion is often duplicated. Take a look at many other things in the economy; it is based on the black culture.

Blacks made a difference in America and still do. The American economy is very dependent on "black bodies." Nevertheless, very little value is placed on the importance of our mental, physical status in this country.

Blacks are blamed on every level of negativity in America, regardless of our success and contributions we make. The struggle still exists in racial discrimination and other areas. We must realize that we have come very far and still have a long way to go.

The question raised is, how many blacks would be willing to be traded off and how many would stay? As most of us are well aware, many groups within the black community have kept a distance from the white community to enforce their beliefs and values. They are the ones who would be willing and ready to leave this country and start a new beginning; others would be filled with doubt as to which direction to go.

Imagine how the world would be without blacks. There would be no more creative art, black rhythmic music, stylish fashion, delicious foods, solid and determined people. How boring does that sound? Black lives do matter! Our style, grace, and perspective give light to what America has become today.

Now, can you imagine what the world would look like if whites were taken from Earth? Sure, it could become a world filled with equal opportunity for all of its people.

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aboard the mothership

P-Funk Mothership Landin'

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intro.

afrovision shall serve as in-depth look into afrofuturism.