Ytasha Womack wrote the books Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci Fi & Fantasy Culture as well as Rayla 2212 “to help people stretch their imaginations around culture and identity. I hope that people can feel empowered to be creators in their life and co-creators in the world.” ‘
Here, she expounds on her books, why her message is important and discusses race and disparity.
How do these book align with your brand?
Afrofuturism is an aesthetic and theory that intersects black culture, technology, the imagination, liberation and some mysticism. Mark Dery coined the phrase in the mid 90s. Afrofuturism explores alternate realities through a black cultural lens and asserts the wonders and lessons that emerged from the African diaspora that can and do change and heal the world.
Rayla 2212 is my first sci-fi novel and follows the story of Rayla Illmatic, a third generation war strategist on a former earth colony in turmoil. It’s year 2212 and she has to restore her planet by locating missing astronauts who traveled using their mind. To find them, she has to go to previous lifetimes and do some time travel and in the process discovers herself.
Three things that have been most inspiring about your book?
Both projects have connected me with wonderful creative minds. I’ve discovered new art and wonderful music in the process and I’ve learned new things about myself.
Why is getting your message out to the world so important?
The imagination is a key to helping people break out of their own limitations, whatever they may be. Triggering the imagination helps to fan the idea of possibility. You can achieve what you think is possible. Afrofuturism also provides a window for people to see images and the culture of people of African descent in the future, present, and past as well as to place our culture squarely in the midst of the innovation and futurism conversation. People of African descent are part of a long lineage of people who’ve shaped conversations around innovation, technology and resilience. These experiences inform, inspire and forge new discussions and paradigms that can help everyone today and in the future.
When doing research and investigations what are the issues that inhabit honest reporting?
Bias. I think reporters need to ask the right questions and be open. Sometimes reporters write the stories in their minds before they’ve researched anything and use the quotes and research they find to substantiate a preconceived idea that may not reflect the situation they’re reporting on.
How has media system changed in the last five years?
The Internet and social media have transformed the culture. There are more voices sharing stories. It’s also much easier to get your voice out into the world. I launched the first incarnation of Rayla 2212 with Rayla’s twitter account and a website of short stories. She amassed fans and I released the first story in the sequence as an ebook a year ago as well as a soundtrack. The book inspired a professor at Duke University to host the first Race in Space Conference on space settlements and equality. I presented the book and accompanying art work at the conference. But that whole sequence of events would not have taken place without the presence of social media, ebooks and the blogosphere all of which became dominate in the past five years.
Is TMZ good for the system?
They’ve certainly impacted entertainment reporting. They provide fact checked gossip and other blogs and mainstream news use them as a source. You go on your search engine home news page and TMZ’s gossip of the day is right up there next to the crisis in Syria. TMZ isn’t the problem. It’s wild to see how people prioritize it, though. It couldn’t exist if there wasn’t a demand for it.
What did Edward Snowden expose about the system?
I don’t think he exposed anything.
How does class work against the poor in the system?
Depending on the person, class can facilitate a mindset of separation and limitation. That way of thinking can be more problematic than anything else and prohibits people from living their dreams. You don’t need a lot of money to change your life and help others, but notions of class makes that thought process difficult to swallow.
What are you trying to say about changing the system?
I just think people need to be their unique selves and find their purpose. We’re all here to do something important and it’s our charge to figure out what that is as soon as possible and embrace the hard fought opportunities that others died for us to have. Be your own superhero. Discover your super strengths and build on them.
Finish these sentences:
Injustice is…unnecessary
Poor educational system affects the community because it undermines skill building and critical thinking amongst vulnerable communities.
Race plays a role in the system because…it fosters the idea of limitation and separation.
The biggest disparity in the system is…those who believe they can change their lives and those who believe they can’t.
What more people need to know about the system is…systems are created.
Name three books you recommend everyone should read.
It Works if You Work It by Rev. Johnnie Colemon, Mastery by Robert Greene, Some Sing Some Cry by Ntozake Shange and Ifa Bayeda
Favorite social movies about the system.
The Matrix, The Wiz
Favorite role model who work[ed] to change the system.
W.E.B DuBois
For more, visit www.iafrofuturism.com and www.rayla2212.com.
