• American Studies
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.111-136
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• 2020

This paper aims to reveal how the fundamental assumptions informing race and gender issues in contemporary society have remained relatively unchanged by examining how such issues pervade Octavia Butler's Kindred. By exploring the protagonist of the novel, Dana's actions in her present (1976 Los Angeles) and the antebellum past in addition to her maternal ancestor, Alice's actions, a clear picture of contemporary and antebellum views of race and gender is provided. Particularly interesting are the reactions of the characters to Dana's and Alice's interracial relationships and the circumstances on the Weylin plantation. By juxtaposing the two times, a deeper commentary on the lack of fundamental change in the present treatment of such issues is then revealed. Furthermore, a potential path to addressing this lack of change is suggested by Butler through Dana and Kevin's successful interracial relationship.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.99-104
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• 2023

This study aims to 1) summarize the definitions the definitions of afrofuturism through a theoretical review 2) through exploratory empirical research, and 3) recover the concept of reversal in relation to the turning point of future technological development. To this end, first, the theoretical background and conceptual discussion of Afrofuturism were examined, and works in the field of SF literature, music, and art were analyzed. Octavia Butler's science fiction confirms the idea that black people must liberate themselves from othered oppression by bringing the past of slavery to the forefront of the world. Janelle Monae's music presents a liberated utopia where technology allows minorities to connect with the outside world. In addition, Jean-Michel Basquiat's artwork reimagines a black identity that has been excluded and seeks to expand communal discussions. In light of their work, this paper proposes that the values inherent in African humanism can provide clues to the co-evolution that is generated by relating to the Other in the face of exponentially advancing technology.