Black Future Month
- Nexia Monae
- Feb 19, 2016
- 3 min read
February is almost over. It is the shortest month of the entire year and it is also black history month. As most of you know, I am a person of color and I would like to contribute to this month. Instead of going forth and calling it history, though, I would like to refer to it as our future.
"But why? Why the future if it is just to celebrate the past?"
I'll answer that for you. For me, calling it Black Future Month [or BFM], means we do not dwell on the past, but we learn from it. We celebrate our future and remember those that were strong-willed enough to be our leaders; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Claudette Colvin, Bessie Coleman and so many more for so many different reasons. As this month continues, I have noticed something extremely amazing. People of color have gotten stronger and more like-minded, one step closer to being the strong bond our ancestors once were.
[Of course, throughout history and even in these times, we have our embarrassing moments like enslaving our own people in ancient times as well as not choosing our words wisely with steps progress in the correct direction- Stacey Dash.]
However, everyone loves art and there is always an interesting feat when people of color recognize they have the power to create just as much great work as the next person. Below are three Kickstarters that are progressing the movement in the black art world. Showing other black artists they are capable of being so much more than a tarnished name in our art community. Please enjoy yourselves and if you can, share their links and donate. If you can't sharing always helps out (click the names to view their official sites).
These are the four creators of the comic, Black. This comic takes the 'what if...' concept to an entirely new level. Using black characters to showcase the oppression we struggle today, these very characters come out with something even more special. Superpowers. That's right, these comics entice you to think, "What if black people were the ones with the superpowers?" Not convinced this is going to be worth your while? Check out their video on here and don't forget to share [and donate] if you can. It's going to be a wild ride.
Traveling between dimensions, funky art of the unnatural and a whimsical trippy vibe, Rivenis brings us, Diskordia. This comic brings us a character, Jackal Black, who attempts to get through reality without actually, getting through reality. Recommended for mature audiences [MA], Black runs into a slew of horror flick characters that only some would imagine. Ready for some horror fun in an alternate dimension? Check out the Kickstarter pitch and do what you can to support! Roye Okupe
This third comic [or graphic novel] is one that I loved before I knew it was on Kickerstarter. Roye Okupe has created E.X.O., an African Superhero comic taking place in 2025 in Nigera. This comic displays acts of redemption after Wale Williams was last remembered hanging on to his life at the end of part one of E.X.O. This Kickerstarter is to help put part two in to effect! Check out the video to learn more and find out what ever happened to Wale Williams in June 2016!
Have anymore artists in mind? Let us know at nexiamonae@gmail.com! Art on!
