4.5 Black Studies, Black Futures, and Afrofuturism

• Black Studies is an academic discipline that focuses on the study of the history, culture, and experiences of people of African descent
• Protests and demands on college campuses in the late 1960s led to the creation of Black Studies departments
• Match the prominent figures with their contributions to Black Studies:

  Nathan Hare ↔️ Appointed coordinator of Black Studies at SFSU

  Maulana Karenga ↔️ Developed Kawaida principles
• Social justice in Black Studies focuses on dismantling systemic barriers.


  True
• The protests at San Francisco State University in 1968 led to the establishment of the first Black Studies department
• The expansion of Black Studies programs across the U.S. in the 1970s reflected a demand for Afrocentric education.
• What does the term "Black Futures" emphasize as essential components for Black communities?

  Hope, agency, and planning
• What are the three key roles of Black Futures in community development?

  Empowering, planning, and innovating
• Afrofuturism often challenges the Eurocentric cultural focus of traditional science fiction


  True
• Why is the exploration of cultural identity a key theme in Black Studies?

  Reinforces pride and cultural preservation
• What does the Community Empowerment theme in Black Studies promote?

  Grassroots activism
• Black Futures emphasizes hope, agency, and planning to overcome historical and contemporary challenges
• Black Futures significantly contributes to community development by empowering, planning, and innovating
• Afrofuturism merges African diaspora culture with science fiction and fantasy
• Sun Ra's music uses space-themed imagery to explore Black identity
• Arrange the interconnected concepts in Black Studies, Black Futures, and Afrofuturism based on their primary focus:

  1️⃣ Black Studies: Historical context

  2️⃣ Black Futures: Future planning

  3️⃣ Afrofuturism: Blends African culture with sci-fi
• Black Studies centers Black perspectives, unlike traditional disciplines.


  True
• The first Black Studies department was established at San Francisco State University
• A key theme in Black Studies is cultural identity, which explores the rich cultural heritage of Black people
• What were the Black Studies Movement's primary goals during its emergence in the 1960s?

  Equality and cultural recognition
• Maulana Karenga developed the Kawaida principles in 1969 to provide a cultural framework for Black Studies


  True
• Match the key themes in Black Studies with their descriptions:

  Cultural Identity ↔️ Explores Black cultural heritage

  Social Justice ↔️ Advocates for equal rights

  Community Empowerment ↔️ Promotes self-determination

  Historical Perspectives ↔️ Provides knowledge of Black history
• Black Futures aims to empower Black agency and planning, while traditional futures studies often forecast scenarios


  True
• What is Afrofuturism and what cultural elements does it combine?

  African diaspora and science fiction
• What is the primary purpose of Black Studies as an academic discipline?

  Empower Black communities
• The Social Justice theme in Black Studies advocates for equal rights and opportunities.


  True
• Match the key themes in Black Studies with their descriptions:

  Cultural Identity ↔️ Explores cultural heritage

  Social Justice ↔️ Advocates for equal rights

  Community Empowerment ↔️ Promotes self-determination

  Historical Perspectives ↔️ Provides knowledge of Black history
• What is the primary goal of Black Futures?

  Empowering planning
• What does Black Futures planning aim for in community development?

  Equitable development
• Match the principles of Afrofuturism with their descriptions:

  Reimagining History ↔️ Reinterprets the African diaspora's past

  Emphasizing Cultural Identity ↔️ Incorporates Black cultural traditions

  Technological Empowerment ↔️ Advocates for Black communities' access to technology

  Spiritual Connections ↔️ Integrates African spirituality
• Which novel links slavery with present-day issues through time travel and sci-fi elements?

  Kindred
• Traditional academic disciplines often have a Eurocentric
• In 1968, Black Student Union protests at San Francisco State University led to the establishment of the first Black Studies department
• Key objectives of the Black Studies Movement included Afrocentric perspectives and empowerment of Black communities
• Black Futures emphasizes hope, agency, and planning
• Who was appointed at San Francisco State University in 1969 to shape the curriculum and mission of Black Studies?

  Nathan Hare
• What were the key objectives of Black Studies in terms of curriculum, community empowerment, and challenging traditional disciplines?

  Afrocentric perspectives
• Unlike traditional futures studies, Black Futures focuses on Black communities.
• Match the benefits of Black Futures in community development with their descriptions:

  Empowerment ↔️ Fosters grassroots leadership

  Planning ↔️ Aligns strategies with community values

  Innovation ↔️ Encourages creative solutions
• Afrofuturism explores themes like liberation, identity, and technological advancement.