https://safiyahcheatam.com Safiyah Cheatam Wed, 16 Oct 2024 20:06:44 +0000 https://safiyahcheatam.com en https://safiyahcheatam.com/KUFIS-PEPPERONI-PIZZA Thu, 06 Oct 2022 16:18:03 +0000 Safiyah Cheatam https://safiyahcheatam.com/KUFIS-PEPPERONI-PIZZA KUFIS &amp; PEPPERONI PIZZA SEPTEMBER 2022 Credits This project is supported by the following grants: Wherewithal Project Grant (2023), Washington Project for the Arts/Andy Warhol Foundation,Washington, D.C. Wherewithal Research Grant (2022), Washington Project for the Arts/Andy Warhol Foundation, Washington, D.C. Summer Research Grant (2021), Center for Religion and Cities, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD A Washington Project for the Arts (WPA) Wherewithal Research Grant video essay investigating the sudden and short-lived mass conversion to Islam amongst Black youth in the DC-metro area between 2009-2012, with research partner Hope Willis. The driving question of this multimedia research project was, “What influences drove a significant portion of DC’s Black youth to practice Islam and self-identify as Muslims?” Five-hundred tweets, two MuslimLink and one Medium article later, we define the role of Islam in the lives of those affected youth. <img width="1500" height="1000" width_o="1500" height_o="1000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1711d6e43c5bfdd0b66508c068b1735b9b23d6c7ed234a5f8099f6f0a649f95f/WAMU_Affordability_HopeAlexandraWillis_Selects-3.jpg" data-mid="155065339" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1711d6e43c5bfdd0b66508c068b1735b9b23d6c7ed234a5f8099f6f0a649f95f/WAMU_Affordability_HopeAlexandraWillis_Selects-3.jpg" /> This research was conducted with 4th generation native-Washingtonian, Hope Willis, a multidisciplinary artist, historian of the Middle East/North Africa region, and player of various roles in her local D.C. community.&nbsp; The following are some images that stand out from the full presentation (above). <img width="960" height="540" width_o="960" height_o="540" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3ecd7e4c75af839ef50092c57d7db1cb5c401921d9054bef70bcab3cd896e84a/KAPP-Presentation-.jpg" data-mid="155070504" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/960/i/3ecd7e4c75af839ef50092c57d7db1cb5c401921d9054bef70bcab3cd896e84a/KAPP-Presentation-.jpg" /> <img width="960" height="540" width_o="960" height_o="540" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/98e6be31f995246f486df4ae0bddf4e9c1d581f417e556ddfc954f49a7a87f91/KAPP-Presentation--1.jpg" data-mid="155070506" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/960/i/98e6be31f995246f486df4ae0bddf4e9c1d581f417e556ddfc954f49a7a87f91/KAPP-Presentation--1.jpg" /> <img width="960" height="540" width_o="960" height_o="540" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4bf410fac81602e928c43b0998b69627ac96b0a5fe6ddc859d5c041df8b55849/KAPP-Presentation--2.jpg" data-mid="155070507" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/960/i/4bf410fac81602e928c43b0998b69627ac96b0a5fe6ddc859d5c041df8b55849/KAPP-Presentation--2.jpg" /> <img width="960" height="540" width_o="960" height_o="540" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b054c9bc0dd94d86822ef5977abc260a0019afe8c4c62639f42040b9f3f5c70d/KAPP-Presentation--11.jpg" data-mid="155070666" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/960/i/b054c9bc0dd94d86822ef5977abc260a0019afe8c4c62639f42040b9f3f5c70d/KAPP-Presentation--11.jpg" /> <img width="960" height="540" width_o="960" height_o="540" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a8d2923f8af27bf53535a85358ba3963cc8432c590cbd0180299aa2b3dc5cf2b/KAPP-Presentation--7.jpg" data-mid="155070598" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/960/i/a8d2923f8af27bf53535a85358ba3963cc8432c590cbd0180299aa2b3dc5cf2b/KAPP-Presentation--7.jpg" /> <img width="960" height="540" width_o="960" height_o="540" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6c240f0b7ba6510bb35d18e372f159bcf67f162c433abe6b607570e3b03f48d1/KAPP-Presentation--6.jpg" data-mid="155070566" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/960/i/6c240f0b7ba6510bb35d18e372f159bcf67f162c433abe6b607570e3b03f48d1/KAPP-Presentation--6.jpg" /> <img width="960" height="540" width_o="960" height_o="540" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e665dee51132383bfac010454e302b965a45c3c718f94a652f77813a4e2d28f1/KAPP-Presentation--5.jpg" data-mid="155070564" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/960/i/e665dee51132383bfac010454e302b965a45c3c718f94a652f77813a4e2d28f1/KAPP-Presentation--5.jpg" /> <img width="960" height="540" width_o="960" height_o="540" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6fc24e0e64535ac3fbe012b2e462abe57196a4a6e85dd420219f7f792ffec42e/KAPP-Presentation--4.jpg" data-mid="155070542" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/960/i/6fc24e0e64535ac3fbe012b2e462abe57196a4a6e85dd420219f7f792ffec42e/KAPP-Presentation--4.jpg" /> <img width="960" height="540" width_o="960" height_o="540" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/59da08e1394a9ce89d29e8d76d388cdc579448b11b27c87ae47e5217d52e08f3/KAPP-Presentation--3.jpg" data-mid="155070513" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/960/i/59da08e1394a9ce89d29e8d76d388cdc579448b11b27c87ae47e5217d52e08f3/KAPP-Presentation--3.jpg" /> <img width="960" height="540" width_o="960" height_o="540" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/88871d04f096bd3c08679b7c9e643e5f5ad13e1cd6d462845cd913fefea14f90/KAPP-Presentation--8.jpg" data-mid="155070604" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/960/i/88871d04f096bd3c08679b7c9e643e5f5ad13e1cd6d462845cd913fefea14f90/KAPP-Presentation--8.jpg" /> <img width="960" height="540" width_o="960" height_o="540" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/298e98ec44a1d864e0fcf6a61c9f1e755ff6da9e20fc1177511c516f702c5d14/KAPP-Presentation--9.jpg" data-mid="155070614" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/960/i/298e98ec44a1d864e0fcf6a61c9f1e755ff6da9e20fc1177511c516f702c5d14/KAPP-Presentation--9.jpg" /> <img width="960" height="540" width_o="960" height_o="540" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b457719140c2506f7bf30e86a24d26af05ad0dcefa973cf9448c44ac21d27009/KAPP-Presentation--10.jpg" data-mid="155070633" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/960/i/b457719140c2506f7bf30e86a24d26af05ad0dcefa973cf9448c44ac21d27009/KAPP-Presentation--10.jpg" /> <img width="750" height="750" width_o="750" height_o="750" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d19467f7f80dd788e5eb05ec3fddc61d7b87cdd041e9bcd615119a5a0c38c17a/ABDC7B18-31CC-4A58-8035-A6BEA8F56608.JPG" data-mid="156383428" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/750/i/d19467f7f80dd788e5eb05ec3fddc61d7b87cdd041e9bcd615119a5a0c38c17a/ABDC7B18-31CC-4A58-8035-A6BEA8F56608.JPG" /> <img width="9000" height="9000" width_o="9000" height_o="9000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3410e10f86f381f968480aab4e2fa915099ff6b1214d14043f26c2f29e88e052/Research-Presentations_2022_IG.JPEG" data-mid="156383430" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3410e10f86f381f968480aab4e2fa915099ff6b1214d14043f26c2f29e88e052/Research-Presentations_2022_IG.JPEG" /> <img width="750" height="750" width_o="750" height_o="750" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b896c3a21356cf5232e9832c7eee4ad47bab45584ff157c2f1ea830c224862b3/6CF20D90-A8E0-415A-AEBA-699074436624.JPG" data-mid="156383449" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/750/i/b896c3a21356cf5232e9832c7eee4ad47bab45584ff157c2f1ea830c224862b3/6CF20D90-A8E0-415A-AEBA-699074436624.JPG" /> https://safiyahcheatam.com/SPECULATIVE-HISTORIES-FUTURES Wed, 20 Jul 2022 00:56:36 +0000 Safiyah Cheatam https://safiyahcheatam.com/SPECULATIVE-HISTORIES-FUTURES SPECULATIVE HISTORIES &amp; FUTURES &nbsp; MARCH 2022 Click image to watch full panel discussion. Four international artists and scholars, Dr. Tiffany E. Barber, Ayodamola Tanimowo Okunseinde (ayo), Kite, and Jonas Staal,&nbsp; discuss this panel’s titular terms in relation to their own work, expanding the terms however they desire, with moderator Safiyah Cheatam. The term “speculative” has been applied to numerous fields of thought and action since ancient times. Aristotle and Plato debated the speculative nature of theory, versus the logical nature of praxis. The first 17th-century European settlers on the land we currently occupy in North America engaged in speculative finance to wrest land from its occupants, thereby colonizing it. In the last few decades, the adjective has been applied to more specifically visual fields of research, a development reflecting the term’s Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root “spek” – to observe. From Speculative Design, a term coined in the 1990s by Anthony Dunne, who along with Fiona Raby promoted the practice at the Royal College of Art, to the Black Speculative Art Movement with its roots in Afrofuturism, as described by Reynaldo Anderson in 2016, visual culture ignited the idea of this panel to discuss “Speculative Histories and Futures.” For more information on the panelists, visit here. https://safiyahcheatam.com/SMITHSONIAN-YARROW-MAMOUT Wed, 20 Jul 2022 00:56:36 +0000 Safiyah Cheatam https://safiyahcheatam.com/SMITHSONIAN-YARROW-MAMOUT YARROW MAMOUT: WEAVER OF ISLAM, COUNTER-MEMORY, AND AFROFUTURISM IN LATE 18TH CENTURY GEORGETOWN, DC JANUARY 2022 A Smithsonian's Claiming Space Symposium video essay uplifting a local legacy of Black Muslim resilience, self-determination, and success within the realm of Afrofuturism. This presentation is part of the Terrestrial Space theme, as organized by the January 27-29, 2022 Claiming Space Symposium committee. For more information on video presentations, visit here.The Smithsonian Afrofuturism Series is a collaboration between the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the National Museum of African Art.&nbsp; The following are some images that stand out from the full presentation&nbsp;here. <img width="3000" height="1688" width_o="3000" height_o="1688" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6480330d6302b347149a66f2760f8333ab7e05a0eb0d0e8cca81d7f83aa61146/0002.jpg" data-mid="152767420" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6480330d6302b347149a66f2760f8333ab7e05a0eb0d0e8cca81d7f83aa61146/0002.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="1688" width_o="3000" height_o="1688" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0c8e20675e3e1255ee9c3ff7b26cb98e38d0cf5f4e604c409ce7e4c31f65fa35/0005.jpg" data-mid="152767485" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0c8e20675e3e1255ee9c3ff7b26cb98e38d0cf5f4e604c409ce7e4c31f65fa35/0005.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="1688" width_o="3000" height_o="1688" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/46fdfd4b5b6aa145cd2bb0cec6110cf0c5969d9948b66c8d5f95b61ac8398d6f/0006.jpg" data-mid="152767432" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/46fdfd4b5b6aa145cd2bb0cec6110cf0c5969d9948b66c8d5f95b61ac8398d6f/0006.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="1688" width_o="3000" height_o="1688" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2cd79032e103fbc67e1cf16bdf851fe060af464bb7b17aa591c931c40ec4ea87/0008.jpg" data-mid="152767421" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2cd79032e103fbc67e1cf16bdf851fe060af464bb7b17aa591c931c40ec4ea87/0008.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="1688" width_o="3000" height_o="1688" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0a7661da84b3feb59f9af8e2155c85738f06b95dcf5bdd0d270ae37a6a224543/0021.jpg" data-mid="152767431" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0a7661da84b3feb59f9af8e2155c85738f06b95dcf5bdd0d270ae37a6a224543/0021.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="1688" width_o="3000" height_o="1688" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e9f69b20e41646a434dbeaf5efc5f96aa4cb2bb5480e725993e38871d052efa4/0009.jpg" data-mid="152767422" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e9f69b20e41646a434dbeaf5efc5f96aa4cb2bb5480e725993e38871d052efa4/0009.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="1688" width_o="3000" height_o="1688" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c9708d4d3bc9e8379f9d1a5f7f113165b793ad3ed8671c011a6b02bb3f314c20/0010.jpg" data-mid="152767425" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c9708d4d3bc9e8379f9d1a5f7f113165b793ad3ed8671c011a6b02bb3f314c20/0010.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="1688" width_o="3000" height_o="1688" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c9a32e78dceaf06cdc70e4f2c032cbaa2f89466f52da2d4fb2e429f8970ddd31/0020.jpg" data-mid="152767426" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c9a32e78dceaf06cdc70e4f2c032cbaa2f89466f52da2d4fb2e429f8970ddd31/0020.jpg" /> <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3ee06eaed22852f28c70a562c94c616dc51a338ad1b884a1c09fe5b09595bb50/22.jpg" data-mid="152767427" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3ee06eaed22852f28c70a562c94c616dc51a338ad1b884a1c09fe5b09595bb50/22.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="1688" width_o="3000" height_o="1688" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/78811a2fd99687a13721c13538e1fbb49faaeef4df67cf2de91c6aaa65f25045/0018.jpg" data-mid="152767430" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/78811a2fd99687a13721c13538e1fbb49faaeef4df67cf2de91c6aaa65f25045/0018.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="1687" width_o="3000" height_o="1687" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/29198209b501df1a1874747202fc4d40cd89e9cb6fae811f2302653a2b1f06d4/24.jpg" data-mid="152767428" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/29198209b501df1a1874747202fc4d40cd89e9cb6fae811f2302653a2b1f06d4/24.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="1688" width_o="3000" height_o="1688" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/89e59a41d255c45a13b41d61b985508af1427726d17b7c2d69926af279d8517c/0024.jpg" data-mid="152767429" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/89e59a41d255c45a13b41d61b985508af1427726d17b7c2d69926af279d8517c/0024.jpg" /> https://safiyahcheatam.com/FROM-COUNTER-MEMORY-TO-COUNTER-CULTURE Wed, 20 Jul 2022 00:56:36 +0000 Safiyah Cheatam https://safiyahcheatam.com/FROM-COUNTER-MEMORY-TO-COUNTER-CULTURE FROM COUNTER-MEMORY TO COUNTER-CULTURE: BLACK ISLAM IN THE U.S. THROUGH A MUNDANE AFROFUTURIST LENS <img width="5741" height="4000" width_o="5741" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7dc30e37b1f47a5ed1f798a4cfb812b91965d5e3741317bef078b48d5d759242/Safiyah-Documentation-1.jpg" data-mid="148270798" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7dc30e37b1f47a5ed1f798a4cfb812b91965d5e3741317bef078b48d5d759242/Safiyah-Documentation-1.jpg" /> MAY 2021 Click image for link. This graduate thesis is a multi-generational look at moments of Mundane Afrofuturism (as theorized by Martine Syms) within the lives of Black Muslims in the U.S., emphasizing the concepts of counter-memory and counter-culture as key cultural and political approaches toward subversion and innovation. Consisting of three artworks (I wish I was unhappy; “Singing Praises To God” II; #AllRappersGoToHeaven) the exhibition space is intended to act as an unveiling of information, recognizing Black folks’ historical and ongoing relationship to accessing knowledge.Read full written thesis&nbsp;here. Watch the oral defense of my thesis here with committee members Tim Nohe (Chair), Kathy O’Dell, and Sarah Sharp, with questioners Lisa Moren, James Smalls, Kevin Strait, and Su’ad Abdul Khabeer. Table of Contents Introduction · Defining Afrofuturism · Fantastical vs Mundane: Afrofuturism and the Black Radical Tradition· Divine Justice vs Social Justice: Liberation Theory in Islam and Afrofuturism On Counter-Memory&nbsp;· Defining Counter-Memory and Related Afrofuturist Theory· Discovering Yarrow Mamout· "Singing Praises to God" II (2021)· Dhikr as Active Counter-Memory· il/literacy On Mundane Afrofuturism· Martine Syms’ The Mundane Afrofuturist Manifesto (2013)· Envisioning Black Livelihoods: Filling a Void with Things Imagined (2019) · W.E.B. Du Bois’ the Veil · I wish I was unhappy (2020) · Post Woke: Desire, Possession, Rejection <img width="2550" height="3300" width_o="2550" height_o="3300" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/cfd4d1187fb708e653aac8b31988bbfde789a61506292e3687df4f3d5613d123/thesis-pages-14-19.jpg" data-mid="152857919" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/cfd4d1187fb708e653aac8b31988bbfde789a61506292e3687df4f3d5613d123/thesis-pages-14-19.jpg" /> <img width="2550" height="3300" width_o="2550" height_o="3300" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/917a52146c0e98559ff94726638254dfb6e5df40ee86b1951f4aa8115e166de8/thesis-page-15.jpg" data-mid="152857914" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/917a52146c0e98559ff94726638254dfb6e5df40ee86b1951f4aa8115e166de8/thesis-page-15.jpg" /> <img width="2550" height="3300" width_o="2550" height_o="3300" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3892e7039d3056bafa0e3924c23b2b32e060e463bde1f8d31bb1a5f66df5762b/thesis-page-17.jpg" data-mid="152857910" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3892e7039d3056bafa0e3924c23b2b32e060e463bde1f8d31bb1a5f66df5762b/thesis-page-17.jpg" /> <img width="2550" height="3300" width_o="2550" height_o="3300" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c8c809e5d2e23a83da0e3a32af037093effa1180e098a1e671aac06e796ed4bb/thesis-pg-16.jpg" data-mid="152857913" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c8c809e5d2e23a83da0e3a32af037093effa1180e098a1e671aac06e796ed4bb/thesis-pg-16.jpg" /> <img width="612" height="792" width_o="612" height_o="792" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c35b907282f6595b6d86f5689ac9ffe786e54abd4417ca2bdfb6275c5492fd5b/thesis-page-18.jpg" data-mid="152857909" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/612/i/c35b907282f6595b6d86f5689ac9ffe786e54abd4417ca2bdfb6275c5492fd5b/thesis-page-18.jpg" /> <img width="2550" height="3300" width_o="2550" height_o="3300" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/19fabe0b3739900a2ce2978b8758f426c6f4a8f9e1ff45a4c476cea80ef608b0/thesis-pg-19.jpg" data-mid="152857906" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/19fabe0b3739900a2ce2978b8758f426c6f4a8f9e1ff45a4c476cea80ef608b0/thesis-pg-19.jpg" /> <img width="2550" height="3300" width_o="2550" height_o="3300" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b302398083253ad1871d03f5208a886e6141683d280d300d7cd57c8238c73662/thesis-pg-20.jpg" data-mid="152857920" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b302398083253ad1871d03f5208a886e6141683d280d300d7cd57c8238c73662/thesis-pg-20.jpg" /> <img width="2550" height="3300" width_o="2550" height_o="3300" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/cda7ffd72303450c6e387fc80be254c342aea207aa511eb6a7928920c8581477/thesis-pg-21.jpg" data-mid="152857905" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/cda7ffd72303450c6e387fc80be254c342aea207aa511eb6a7928920c8581477/thesis-pg-21.jpg" /> On Counter-Culture &nbsp; &nbsp; · Subversion + Coded Exposure · #AllRappersGoToHeaven (2014–ongoing) · Fiction and Nonfiction, Double Consciousness, Sacred and Profane · Surveillance of Black Power Movement + Muslims in the U.S. Appendix &nbsp; &nbsp; · OBSIDIAN Podcast https://safiyahcheatam.com/MAKING-A-CASE-FOR-W-E-B-DU-BOIS-AS-A-PROTO-AFROFUTURIST Wed, 20 Jul 2022 03:08:13 +0000 Safiyah Cheatam https://safiyahcheatam.com/MAKING-A-CASE-FOR-W-E-B-DU-BOIS-AS-A-PROTO-AFROFUTURIST MAKING A CASE FOR W.E.B. DU BOIS AS A PROTO-AFROFUTURIST <img width="1600" height="1388" width_o="1600" height_o="1388" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/85cfaf3601212cf7269dab50cbaa7a6fe4de59bb1dd445e1eb6300d9778e8c91/web-city-and-rural-pop.png" data-mid="148272767" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/85cfaf3601212cf7269dab50cbaa7a6fe4de59bb1dd445e1eb6300d9778e8c91/web-city-and-rural-pop.png" /> JULY 2020 Credit W.E.B. Du Bois’ City and Rural Population data visualization (1890). Photo: Library of Congress.This essay situates political activist, sociologist, and artist (amongst many additional attributes) William Edward Burghardt Du Bois (1868 - 1963) within the foundational framework of Afrofuturism.&nbsp; Read here. Coined by writer and critic Mark Dery in 1993, the term Afrofuturism denotes creative works - artistic, literary and musical - that seek to envision a more equitable space for Black livelihood in the future. Implicit within Afrofuturism is a critique of a society where Black people currently are, and historically have been, victims of a multitude of systemic oppressions. Referring to Martine Sym’s theories of the mundane versus fantastic aspects of Afrofuturism in her film The Mundane Afrofuturist Manifesto (2015), in this essay I study specific actions and moments in Du Bois’ life in which he engages with both the “mundane” and the fantastical aspects of Afrofuturism. I position Du Bois’ political actions and sociologcal research, such as his debate with Booker T Washington’s 1895 “Atlanta Compromise” and his data visualizations in The Georgia Negro: A Social Study (1900), within the mundane aspect of Afrofuturism. Conversely, I frame Du Bois’ speculative fiction writings, such as The Princess Steel (1908-1910) and The Comet (1920), within the fantastical. By claiming Du Bois as a Proto Afrofuturist, I assert Du Bois’ contemporary relevance. Du Bois wrote from the same tech-driven core we use to operate big data with today. Perusing the clear afrofuturist mindset in the praxis of W.E.B. Du Bois’ life’s work helps to situate him firmly within the Black Radical Tradition. &nbsp; https://safiyahcheatam.com/GOLDEN-RECORD-TAKE-TWO Wed, 20 Jul 2022 03:20:13 +0000 Safiyah Cheatam https://safiyahcheatam.com/GOLDEN-RECORD-TAKE-TWO GOLDEN RECORD: TAKE TWO <img width="1197" height="800" width_o="1197" height_o="800" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/32e56d81d5daa3a8f17ecda1be6f55cbc59907fc2e593d7a8e7e5c4895b5683b/Screen-Shot-2018-03-01-at-3.11.17-PM-1.png" data-mid="148273540" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/32e56d81d5daa3a8f17ecda1be6f55cbc59907fc2e593d7a8e7e5c4895b5683b/Screen-Shot-2018-03-01-at-3.11.17-PM-1.png" /> APRIL 2019 A short review of Philadelphia-based artist Suldano Abdiruhman's multimedia artwork Voyager 3 (Signs and Symbols Aliens Should Know and Understand) (2017) which includes an ink on canvas painting, an&nbsp; accompanying booklet and iPod. Read here. Rethinking NASA’s 1977 Voyager 1 &amp; 2 expeditions, Abdiruhman seeks to ask “What would the Golden Record look and sound like curated by me?”&nbsp; https://safiyahcheatam.com/ON-PERCEPTION-REALITY-AND-APPROACHING-RENEWAL Wed, 20 Jul 2022 03:25:57 +0000 Safiyah Cheatam https://safiyahcheatam.com/ON-PERCEPTION-REALITY-AND-APPROACHING-RENEWAL ON PERCEPTION: REALITY AND APPROACHING RENEWAL <img width="1050" height="788" width_o="1050" height_o="788" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/cccaebfa3fc00f9d1d41ac85d0fdb928dbb09497e18ab520ad8085b1ca7e4304/bigger-rick.png" data-mid="148273615" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/cccaebfa3fc00f9d1d41ac85d0fdb928dbb09497e18ab520ad8085b1ca7e4304/bigger-rick.png" /> OCTOBER 2018 Credit&nbsp; Still from&nbsp;Rick and Morty episode “M. Night Shaym-Aliens!”This essay combines the thoughts of John Berger's Ways of Seeing, Jean Baudrillard's&nbsp;The Precession of the Simulacra, and Rebecca Solnit's&nbsp;The Annihilation of Time and Space&nbsp;to examine how humans have evolved to perceive space-time in regard to the industrial revolution(s); semiotics and iconology; and simulation-based media. Read here. https://safiyahcheatam.com/A-BLACK-SPACE Wed, 20 Jul 2022 03:32:51 +0000 Safiyah Cheatam https://safiyahcheatam.com/A-BLACK-SPACE A BLACK SPACE <img width="1280" height="720" width_o="1280" height_o="720" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/58d9bd43464a0b790d3b58f7dc4910ba1565249d7a41ee52ecb1d237de7ba2be/radcliff.jpeg" data-mid="148273861" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/58d9bd43464a0b790d3b58f7dc4910ba1565249d7a41ee52ecb1d237de7ba2be/radcliff.jpeg" /> MARCH 2017 Credit Radcliffe Bailey’s “Windward Coast” (2009–2011), close upThis essay surveys Towson University’s Center for the Arts Spring 2017 Dark Humor exhibition featuring artists Joyce J. Scott and Peter Williams in addition to situating Radcliffe Bailey’s 2008-2011 installation Windward Coast within the fold of Afrofuturism by way of guest lecturer Nikki A. Greene. Read here. https://safiyahcheatam.com/I-wish-I-was-unhappy-2021 Wed, 20 Jul 2022 04:29:57 +0000 Safiyah Cheatam https://safiyahcheatam.com/I-wish-I-was-unhappy-2021 I wish I was unhappy (2021) <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/487bbe4fcfe0e7b39dd6195a5659d4a3b490592065458c553c2d301458f93c1c/Safiyah-Documentation-8.jpg" data-mid="148275297" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/487bbe4fcfe0e7b39dd6195a5659d4a3b490592065458c553c2d301458f93c1c/Safiyah-Documentation-8.jpg" /> 2021 Cut-out fabric, black cotton, white chiffon 12' x 10' Exhibition History: 2021, Home Bodies | UMBC IMDA Thesis Exhibition, Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture (CADVC),&nbsp;Baltimore, MD This artwork represents the concept of the Veil as referenced in W.E.B. Du Bois’ The Souls of Black Folk as a means of yearning for what is withheld on the other side. Cited in the fictional chapter "Of the Coming of John," the titular&nbsp;I wish I was unhappy encapsulates a southern Black American girl’s longing for knowledge and understanding of how systemic oppression affects her life, at the cost of her own happiness. She sees the burden of knowledge held by her brother John who’s had the male privledge and freedom of studying up North. The peepholes through letters in the large cloth barrier represent that which is withheld from those who desire but are unable to fully experience the other side. Read more about Du Bois’ use of the veil in my written thesis, From Counter-Memory To Counter-Culture: Black Islam in the U.S. Through a Mundane Afrofuturist Lens. <img width="1600" height="539" width_o="1600" height_o="539" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/cac044f787bae875e2ba2bca1c12da2dfa46a019feb694aecf97b90ced717c45/unhappy_edited.jpg" data-mid="148275411" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/cac044f787bae875e2ba2bca1c12da2dfa46a019feb694aecf97b90ced717c45/unhappy_edited.jpg" /> <img width="5741" height="4000" width_o="5741" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7dc30e37b1f47a5ed1f798a4cfb812b91965d5e3741317bef078b48d5d759242/Safiyah-Documentation-1.jpg" data-mid="148275272" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7dc30e37b1f47a5ed1f798a4cfb812b91965d5e3741317bef078b48d5d759242/Safiyah-Documentation-1.jpg" /> <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e28cae449542d5cf6ef212deb7618a0b0e6d26ae77bbfc4177379c25512a8b53/Safiyah-Documentation-6.jpg" data-mid="148275408" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e28cae449542d5cf6ef212deb7618a0b0e6d26ae77bbfc4177379c25512a8b53/Safiyah-Documentation-6.jpg" /> <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/28543a5582fb33ab2899e829a4e8447e5924b6346076bbded60928d11c3d3c4d/Safiyah-Documentation-5.jpg" data-mid="148275409" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/28543a5582fb33ab2899e829a4e8447e5924b6346076bbded60928d11c3d3c4d/Safiyah-Documentation-5.jpg" /> <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/23ac33dd9f631a0e83949f3244c5df817320b2dd129d0539d130a857d4e73128/Safiyah-Documentation-7.jpg" data-mid="148275420" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/23ac33dd9f631a0e83949f3244c5df817320b2dd129d0539d130a857d4e73128/Safiyah-Documentation-7.jpg" /> https://safiyahcheatam.com/The-Judgement-of-America Wed, 16 Oct 2024 20:06:44 +0000 Safiyah Cheatam https://safiyahcheatam.com/The-Judgement-of-America The Judgment of America (2023–2025) <img width="4032" height="3024" width_o="4032" height_o="3024" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6d180e26eff10cb0f0f2274ca3a0b49c82ce87a7e538d41df43f4bb48931f609/IMG_2131-2.jpg" data-mid="245260792" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6d180e26eff10cb0f0f2274ca3a0b49c82ce87a7e538d41df43f4bb48931f609/IMG_2131-2.jpg" /> 2023–2025 Paper installation of 45, 1-color risoprints 99” × 85” This installation was accompanied by 2 original Muhammad Speaks newspapers. Exhibition History: 2026, Archival Practices in the Digital Age,&nbsp;The Galleries at CCBC, Catonsville, MD 2025, Deconstructed and Reestablished, BlackRock Gallery, Rockville, MD 2023, Growing a Village, Nomu Nomu, Baltimore, MD.&nbsp; The Judgment of America pulls from the archive of Muhammad Speaks, a 1960-1975 Nation of Islam (NOI) periodical—“the most widely-circulated Black-operated newspaper in the U.S. [in the late 60s].”* This artwork&nbsp; investigates NOI’s sociopolitical messaging through the lens of Black counter-culture media by pairing six front page headlines to create a cause-and-effect style of conversation, critiquing the United States and predicting its downfall.Dated, front-page headlines isolated from their newspaper title and fashioned into a flag allows viewers to quickly understand the newspaper’s discontent with the U.S. government without pinpointing whose voice is speaking. Despite headlines that are over 50 years old, the flag’s subtle sway gives it a living presence. While many are rightfully wary of the Nation of Islam’s views, this installation conveys that many of their political stances and news reportings are still relevant today. <img width="3024" height="2079" width_o="3024" height_o="2079" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/60a0a319c2fcfb8e766e8c960bee9a75f1ae7385e5059a75518e3fb61e3eea63/america-s-fear-doomed.jpg" data-mid="245260847" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/60a0a319c2fcfb8e766e8c960bee9a75f1ae7385e5059a75518e3fb61e3eea63/america-s-fear-doomed.jpg" /> On Dystopia This artwork is additionally inspired by my love for dystopic science fiction and thoughts on Billboard Evangelism during my many travels through rural America. As such, I’ve created my own meaning within the headlines, allowing them to be in conversation with one another in regards to our modern world. The blue pair headlines, Every Nation Has a Term! and How to Help Yourself!, forms a call to action, encouraging viewers to adopt a survival or self-preservation skill ahead of the inevitable fall of the United States. The red pair of headlines, Rain, Hail, Snow and Earthquake and World Confusion and Revolution!, refers to how climate disasters caused by the elite’s dismissal of global warming will lead to frustration and civil unrest within society. The white pair of headlines, The Judgment of America and 100% Dissatisfaction, is the most straight-forward, expressing discontent with the state of country and it’s oppressive hand in the lives of Black and Brown folk. Click to enlarge. <img width="870" height="1210" width_o="870" height_o="1210" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8cf4c7e95dfab6144977cf9bdd511edccd5cc94ac6eaa8504ea5b3cb865ce3bf/1-13-1967-2.jpg" data-mid="245260904" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/870/i/8cf4c7e95dfab6144977cf9bdd511edccd5cc94ac6eaa8504ea5b3cb865ce3bf/1-13-1967-2.jpg" /> <img width="829" height="1098" width_o="829" height_o="1098" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/604f2a197ff983e8b6e8490b3d3590d1255f786539dcd357366912d008260f46/11-9-1973-1.jpg" data-mid="245260907" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/829/i/604f2a197ff983e8b6e8490b3d3590d1255f786539dcd357366912d008260f46/11-9-1973-1.jpg" /> <img width="548" height="792" width_o="548" height_o="792" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/dedf91be7483e03b91c65ded1fc3dae08f08a769940eb8bf757b61b6e9401e79/1.31.75.jpg" data-mid="245260903" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/548/i/dedf91be7483e03b91c65ded1fc3dae08f08a769940eb8bf757b61b6e9401e79/1.31.75.jpg" /> <img width="818" height="1050" width_o="818" height_o="1050" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/dd1dcc5936a9682b57d6748d452396cc98b7b30086b9eeb70e7d13a141a3146b/7-3-1970-3.jpg" data-mid="245260905" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/818/i/dd1dcc5936a9682b57d6748d452396cc98b7b30086b9eeb70e7d13a141a3146b/7-3-1970-3.jpg" /> <img width="2251" height="2964" width_o="2251" height_o="2964" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e63c44343e8f3216bfba48626bc77c15f0a5f134aac60da0660a5252dba931a0/8-11-1967-1.jpg" data-mid="245260906" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e63c44343e8f3216bfba48626bc77c15f0a5f134aac60da0660a5252dba931a0/8-11-1967-1.jpg" /> <img width="570" height="792" width_o="570" height_o="792" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ac9a4c9746ea394982497a34523bbdff2afee876612e6f9f4aa40391255d849d/02.28.1975-2.jpg" data-mid="245260902" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/570/i/ac9a4c9746ea394982497a34523bbdff2afee876612e6f9f4aa40391255d849d/02.28.1975-2.jpg" /> <img width="1280" height="960" width_o="1280" height_o="960" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/cda57d7abf7a8132b6fe14bda3623df6752bf45ee356aa7f4ebcf31a0d427bdb/IMG_4028.JPG" data-mid="245260855" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/cda57d7abf7a8132b6fe14bda3623df6752bf45ee356aa7f4ebcf31a0d427bdb/IMG_4028.JPG" /> *Hussein, Khuram. “Muhammad Speaks for Freedom, Justice, and Equality” JSTOR, 13 May 2021, daily.jstor.org/occ-reveal-digital-muhammad-speaks/.