Mapping Afrofuturism

Julian C. Chambliss is a professor of English and the Val Berryman Curator of History at the MSU Museum at Michigan State University. He is the host, writer, and producer for the documentary Afrofantastic: The Transformative World of Afrofuturism, available at PBS.org.

"Mapping Afrofuturism presents readers with an unparalleled collection of scholarship that explores Afrofuturism from fresh and exciting perspectives, both historical and cultural. Featuring contributions from significant voices in the discipline, this pathbreaking work offers us a robust overview and salient, insightful analysis that foregrounds the historical roots, intellectual rigor, and cultural significance of Afrofuturist thought. Dr. Chambliss' attention to historical detail across eras, space, and time provides scholars with a cohesive and cogent understanding of the social, political, and cultural significance of Afrofuturism as both a creative and scholarly enterprise. Timely, necessary, and insightful, Mapping Afrofuturism reminds readers that Afrofuturism challenges traditional narratives and reimagines futures, making it an essential resource for scholars, students, and enthusiasts alike. This volume is a must-read for anyone who takes Afrofuturism seriously." Michael Dando, Associate Professor of English, Communication Arts, and Literature, St. Cloud State University "Julian Chambliss does an exemplary job at pulling together a comprehensive, accessible, and cohesive primer for the cultural phenomenon of Afrofuturism. Under his watchful eye and stewardship, we can see this cultural movement's origins and glean what the future may hold for Black speculative arts as a practice. Extremely well done!" John Jennings, Professor of Media and Cultural Studies, University of California at Riverside, Director of Abrams ComicArts imprint Megascope, 2018 Eisner Winner, New York Times Bestselling Author "Films featuring the Black Panther have made Afrofuturism part of a much broader public discourse, but too few appreciate the historical and intellectual range that birthed and continues to extend it. With his brilliant selection of articles alongside his own crisp introductions, Julian Chambliss rearticulates the Afrofuturist imaginary. From the 19th century to the 21st, with science fiction and funk, sociology and anthropology, original texts and their reinterpretations, Chambliss not only provides a concise introduction to the field for college students but invites those familiar into a dialogue about what makes Afrofuturism so powerful and liberating. His conversation with visual artist Stacey Robinson and his engagement with the music of Sun Ra, Grace Jones, and others inspires anew." Michael D. Kennedy, Brown University