Theorizing the Afropolitan Past and Present

Abstract The term Afropolitan—evoking the image of mobility, cultural production, and consumerism in Africa African diaspora—has enjoyed some salience popular culture. However, much scholarly debate has focused on elitism associated with concept. Linked initially to short reflective pieces by Taiye Selasi 2005 Achille Mbembe 2007, Afropolitanism rarely been analyzed historical contexts. contributors engage concept Afropolitan across a broad time space that spans fourteenth twenty-first centuries locates Africa, Americas, Europe, Asia. This introduction analyzes their written photographic essays along three themes: visual culture, narrativity, intersectionality, recognizing work also pushes against expands these frameworks. By engaging as phenomenon, issue highlights new methods theories for analyzing global diasporas—past, present, future.