VORTRAG | Philosophical Reflections on African Diaspora Theories: Is Afrofuturism Utopian?

In the organizer's words:

Lecture and discussion with Abosede Priscilla Ipadeola

Philosophical Reflections on African Diaspora Theories: Is Afrofuturism Utopian?

Thu 15.05.2025 | 19:15 | Bildhauerhalle

As part of the vernissage The Currency-tɛknoʊmædʒɪkɛs Project

Followed by a discussion with
Elom 20ce, Musquiqui Chihying, Gregor Kasper and Kwamou Eva Feukeu (artists:inside The Currency-tɛknoʊmædʒɪkɛs Project)

Event in English

One of the ways in which diasporic communities maintain their connection to their homelands is by developing theories and ideologies to stimulate or promote the development of these regions. It has been historically proven that the level or pace of development of a country (or continent) is closely linked to the quality of ideas and designs of intellectuals and think tanks. African diaspora communities around the world have been actively involved in formulating ideas that focus on the unity, economic growth and development of the continent. For example, theories such as Pan-Africanism, Negritude and Afrocentrism have been proposed for the continent by people of African descent living in the diaspora. Afrofuturism is also one of the newer theories and ideas in this context. However, since the emergence of Afrofuturism is slightly different from earlier theories of the African diaspora, it is imperative to critically examine the theory in terms of its pragmatism. This discussion focuses on the question of the feasibility of Afrofuturism and examines whether it is philosophically sound or a mere quixotic idea.

Abosede Priscilla Ipadeola is a feminist African philosopher. She is currently a research fellow at the Center for Advanced Studies at the University of Hildesheim in Germany. Her research interests include African philosophy (especially feminist African philosophy), global political philosophy, black feminist studies, epistemology, ethics and postcolonial studies. She has worked as a lecturer and research fellow at various universities and research institutes, including the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Germany, the University of Leeds, UK, and the New Institute, Germany. She is the author of Feminist African Philosophy: Women and the Politics of Difference (Routledge, 2023). Her most recent publication is "Omoluabi Feminism: Political Leadership through an African Lens", Research Handbook on Feminist Political Thought, M. Caputi & P. Moynagh (eds.), (Edward Elgar, 2024). She is the convener and first coordinator of the League of African Women Philosophers(https://leagueofafricanwomenphilosophers.org/).

In cooperation with the Africa Center for Transregional Research at the University of Freiburg. This event is also part of a series of programs celebrating the 5th anniversary of the ACT.