Afro-tech

I first heard the hyphenated word, Afro-tech, being used in a song called “Legacy” from Sean Carter’s 13th album (4:44).

In one of his lyrics Jay Z says - “That's major, just like the Negro League.”

Meaning: In the late 1800s, Blacks were not accepted in baseball, which eventually led to the formation of the Negro Leagues in 1887. Many leagues would form and collapse due to attendance issues, but the most reputable league was the Negro American League, which lasted for almost three decades. Even though Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, these leagues lasted almost two more decades because of racial tension in the United States.(Genius.com)

Then, in a following verse Hov goes on to say - “There was a time America wouldn't let us ball.”

Meaning: Jay Z is creating a connotation between the previous exclusion of black people from American sports, to now the exclusion of black people from the tech world. (Genius.com)

I’d actually go further and say the exclusion of not just black people, but any person who are the consumers using the tech however not being able to profit from having the opportunity to create the tech.

Example:

You: You don’t have socials?

Me: Nope.

You: You a psycho?

Me: Lol, maybe.

You: That creepy ass laugh isn’t helping. Explain yourself?

Me: Look, using that tech is going to get you hurt (and I mean that as a double entendre).

You: How so?

Me: Not only from the amount of time you waste on it, but even to how it makes you feel.

You: Well, I make money off of it. And when I’m not, it’s entertainment.

Me: (Laughing) Okay.

You: I do.

Me: Okay, I get it makes you money. I’m not mad at it, at least you are doing that much.

You: I am.

Me: But you still use “their” platform in hopes to make some money. And “they” sit back and make billions, each and every day.

You: (Pondering)

Me: Mhm, and that profit is made all off of you.

You: Damn, never really thought of it like that.

Me: None of us do. But worst of all, that ain’t even “their” end goal.

You: Wait, what?

Me: But that’s for another time.

You: Fuck, all that tech ain’t worth what it is.

Me: Nope, it ain’t. And on top of that how many of those tech Startup Founders, CEO’s and, or Board Member’s look like us, or come from where we come from?

You: Prolly none.

Me: So, they get you hooked while you like sharing pics, videos, letting your thoughts out in to the world, but really…

You: (Cutting me off)… but really, I’m getting used and being left.

Me: Afro-tech.

You: Well, fuck all that. Imma start something and get them hooked.

Me: Oh really?

You: Yeah, Payback’s a Bi$ch.

Me: (Smiling) Time to ball!