# Do African-Americans really wish they were back living in an all-powerful Africa?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-african-americans-really-wish-they-were-back-living-in-an-all-powerful-africa/833165>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [April 28, 2019, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-african-americans-really-wish-they-were-back-living-in-an-all-powerful-africa/833165 "2019-04-28T06:59:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\
**Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-african-americans-really-wish-they-were-back-living-in-an-all-powerful-africa/833165/21 "2019-04-29T16:32:20Z")

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I think the OP might be noticing [Afrofuturism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afrofuturism) gaining some traction in mainstream culture. Specifically, the side of Afrofuturism that deals not just with the diaspora, but with folks living in Africa itself.

To my eyes, it’s a reinterpretation of Western cultural stories about Africa: instead of telling stories where Africa is imagined as this dark, primitive, violent place that deserves only pity and fear, Afrofuturists tell stories where Africa is imagined as a strong, proud, smart place that deserves respect and admiration.

Change the OP question slightly to reflect what Afrofuturism is aiming for: “Do African-Americans really want to tell stories about an awesome Africa?” and the answer is, “Many of 'em do, yeah.”

Black Panther is a great example of Afrofuturism, but there’s plenty more. Nnedi Okorafor works pretty heavily in the genre in her YA literature.

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