Black Hypothesis

In 1971 at Purdue University, engineering student Anthony Harris noticed an alarming number of Black engineering freshmen and sophomores dropping out of school. In order to address this problem, he along with 5 other classmates created a Black student group called Society of Black Engineers (SBE) with the mission to recruit and retain students. The “Chicago Six” expanded these efforts nationally and SBE would later be known as the National Society of Black Engineers (#NSBE). This organization has been monumental in supporting Black engineering students during their studies and ensuring they excel professionally.

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“There was a lot of confusion and nonsense where I grew up, so I reacted by creating my own little world. [...] I began to see how music could change lives, and I began to dream about a world where every day was like anime and Broadway, where music fell from the sky and anything could happen.” - #JanelleMonae .

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Afrofuturism is a cultural aesthetic, philosophy of science, and philosophy of history that explores the developing intersection of African Diaspora culture with technology. 

For the past 500 years, the futures of Black people have been forcibly controlled and psychologically manipulated by people other than ourselves. We’ve been reduced to being financial investments, political pawns and supporting characters in many domestic and international mainstream societies -  societies so deeply plagued by systemic racism that fuels our implicit bias.

However, in spite of or because of our oppression, we’ve always found a form of escapism - whether it be through dance, music, painting, sports, writing, cooking or acting- that has helped us maintain our sanity and perseverance.

And these forms of escapism mixed with a desire for a better tomorrow is what gave birth to the movement (or philosophy for some) Afrofuturism.

Afrofuturism is about reclaiming and then reimagining Black people’s future in these societies and on this planet.

Afrofuturism is more than science fiction. It is a celebration of our ancient and present-day African traditions. It is the exploration of Black freedom. It is a reflection of not who we are, but who we will be. It is the Black future(s) for Black people.

We can’t change the past, but we can change the future. So what does this future look like to you? Tell us in the comments below.