Or… what future might we expect if we remain on our current course? What are the possibilities of people and technology? Science Fiction, and in particular Afrofuturism, grapples with these kinds of questions through its literature, television, and films.

For this year’s Black History Month, Solid Ground invites readers to explore the creative expanse that is Black sci-fi and Afrofuturism. Readers can check out Blerd’s 7 Of The Best Black Sci-Fi Movies to get started or even Flavorwire’s 8 Great Black Science-Fiction Films.​​

​​​​​​​In addition to those sites’ great recommendations, I’d humbly like to offer a few of my personal favorites:​​​​​​​

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• Author Octavia Butler: There are many books I could recommend to readers by Butler, but for this list I’d like to suggest her Xenogenesis Series, which explores the themes of gender, sexuality, and race in an epic trilogy. You might also check out the recent graphic novel adaptations of Kindred and Parable of the Sower.
• Star Trek Discovery is one of the newest Trek series, started in 2017. It features a talented diverse cast and follows the actions of Michael Burnham, played by Sonequa Martin-Green, who brings an amazing amount of depth and skill in her portrayal of Michael. Seeing her play counter the deeply empathetic character of Cleveland Booker, played by David Ajala, is quite rewarding. And we can’t forget about Wilson Cruz as the openly gay doctor of the starship Discovery.
• The Twilight Zone (2019): Director and actor Jordan Peele, with Simon Kinberg and Marco Ramirez, developed a two-season addition to the classic anthology series created by Rod Sterling. Jordan Peele wrote several episodes and stars as the series narrator. This newest adaptation takes on some serious issues in creepy and unusual ways, while making strong statements about oppression.