For fans of sci-fi, fantasy and comic books, characters and narratives provide more than just entertainment; they offer a sense of belonging, identity and often an escape from reality. However, for Black fans and actors in these genres, this connection has frequently been overshadowed by bigotry and harassment. In the long history of science fiction and fantasy, the presence of Black characters has often been met with resistance, even as movements like Afrofuturism have gained prominence by celebrating Black stories in speculative spaces.
The sinister side of fandom and historical exclusion
The recent rise of toxic fandom — where fans harass Black actors or creators — is part of a broader pattern of exclusion and racism that stretches back decades. From the early days of sci-fi and fantasy, Black characters were often sidelined, typecast or absent entirely. When groundbreaking roles emerged—such as Nichelle Nichols’ portrayal of Lt. Uhura in “Star Trek” — they marked major moments for representation. However, they were also met with pushback from segments of fandom who glom onto the excuse of “historical accuracy” and had the genres perpetuate the idea that only white people read, watch and play with sci-fi and fantasy products, reported The Root.
The backlash against Black actors has persisted well into the modern era, from John Boyega’s experience as Finn in Star Wars to Moses Ingram’s portrayal of Reva in “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” Both faced waves of online harassment that revealed deep-seated racism within fandom communities. The issue isn’t new: Black actors in these spaces have historically been treated as intruders rather than welcomed members of the speculative storytelling world.
Afrofuturism and the fight for representation
Against this backdrop, the Afrofuturism movement has emerged as a powerful counternarrative. By blending science fiction, history and fantasy, Afrofuturism reclaims space for Black characters and stories, imagining futures where Black people are central to technological and social advancements. The popularity of films like Black Panther and novels like Octavia Butler’s Kindred have shown that there is a hunger for Black-centered stories in speculative fiction.
These stories are more than just entertainment — they offer a vision of empowerment. Yet, the presence of Black characters in mainstream franchises often stirs a toxic response from sections of fandom who feel ownership over these universes. This sense of entitlement — often tinged with racism — manifests in the online harassment directed at Black actors.
The corporate silence
Amid this harassment, corporations like Disney — which has profited from Black audiences — have been criticized for their lukewarm responses. Jodie Turner-Smith, star of “The Acolyte,” recently voiced her frustration in Glamour UK with the lack of corporate action against racist attacks.
“They’ve got to stop doing this thing where they don’t say anything when people are getting f—— dog-piled on the internet with racism and b——-,” Turner-Smith stated. “It’s just not fair to not say anything. It’s really unfair.”
For many, this silence reflects a broader neglect of the very audiences that help sustain these franchises.
The role of the community
While corporate accountability is vital, much of the meaningful resistance to this toxicity has come from actors and fans themselves. High-profile figures like Ewan McGregor and the cast of The Lord of the Rings have publicly stood by their Black colleagues, setting a positive example for the broader fandom. These acts of solidarity highlight how the sci-fi and fantasy communities can create spaces that are inclusive and welcoming for all fans, regardless of race.
A call to redefine fandom
The history of Black characters in sci-fi and fantasy is one of both progress and resistance. From early pioneers like Nichelle Nichols to contemporary stars like John Boyega, their presence has always sparked debate within fan communities. As Afrofuturism continues to grow and diverse characters become more common in these worlds, fandoms must evolve. We must move away from a culture that clings to exclusionary ideals and instead embrace one that celebrates diversity as essential to storytelling.
In the end, the worlds of spaceships, superheroes and speculative futures should be places of inspiration and imagination for everyone. By rejecting racism and toxicity, both fans and corporations have the power to reshape these communities into spaces of joy, inclusion and creativity — much like the Afrofuturist futures that show us what could be possible when all voices are heard.
