Taj Smith: Afrofuturism, Paradise(s), and Who's Really ‘Human?'
In this episode Afrofuturism, Paradise(s), and Who's Really 'Human?' (20 January 2021) featured on Re-Enchantment, a podcast series that examines questions around the intersections of faith and secularism, Taj Smith sits down with host Daniel Lev Shkolnik and discusses the epic complexities of the science fiction genre.
“I love storytelling in general, and science fiction does it in a way that allows for us to see where things might go if we continue down certain roads.”
How does this genre help us imagine futures? How do popular concepts in science fiction converse with the ‘real world,’ and how may they even help create the future? How do our interactions with technology and science change how we interact with ourselves - and impact spirituality and religion and belief systems?
Taj also responds to themes and critical theories presented in Afrofuturist literature which turn a mirror on entrenched social systems such as racism and capitalism, and the hierarchies maintained through these dehumanising systems.
“[Science fiction] shows just how much larger that task of meaning-making and relating to one another gets when we start doing things like exploring beyond our planet Earth…
The question of ‘How do we relate to one another?’ becomes so much bigger when we are having to relate to another life form.”
Episode Summary (via Re-Enchantment): “Science fiction isn't just entertainment. It's not just about technology. It's also about imagining, and reimagining, the future. That future includes the ways in which we live together and the ways in which we fulfill our spiritual needs. Daniel speaks with Taj Smith about Afrofuturism, alternate paradises, who gets to be human (and who doesn't).”
The episode runs approx 37min. See original post on re-enchanment.simplecast.com
Related Discussions and Events: Taj will be participating in an online conversation on 16 April 2021 with Dr. Gabrielle Bychowski, moderated by Rev. Dr. Chris Davies, discussing science fiction, fantasy, and worldbuilding as tools for developing a Queer theology. Hosted by Illoinois-based Community UCC
Event info and registration: Queering Faith 4.0: Mythology and Futurism as Tools for Queer Theology (Friday, 16 April 2021, 6pm PST/ 7pm CST/ 9pm EST/ 1am 17 April GMT)
About Taj Smith
Taj (he/him) is a writer, theologian, leadership coach, preacher, and speaker based in Massachusetts, originally from California. As a Black, transgender Christian, Taj’s work explores faith, spirituality, liberation and queer theology, and intersectional politics. He holds an MDiv from Harvard Divinity School, and has a creative passion for music and literature, particularly science fiction.
Taj’s writing has been featured in the Harvard Divinity Bulletin, on Huffington Post, and Believe Outloud. He most recently wrote an affirmation guide for QChristian.org on trans and gender-expansive identities and his own story of transitioning was published in Austen Hartke’s book Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians. Learn more at tajmsmith.com or follow him on Twitter
About Re-Enchantment
“Daniel Lev Shkolnik is a Humanist looking for deeper, more meaningful ways to live in a secular age. Each week, he dives into ancient wisdom traditions and modern psychology to find fresh ways of making sense of our place in the universe.” Read more about the project at re-enchantment.simplecast.com
