FIVE GENERATIONS HENCE (5)
By:
October 8, 2025
Five Generations Hence is a 1916 afrofuturist novel by Lillian B. Jones. It is considered unique in its pre-Harlem Renaissance, pre-Marcus-Garvey call for a transcontinental dialogue between Africa and America, one that hinges on economic self-sufficiency and most particularly on the high-minded ideas and deeds of intelligent women. HiLoBooks is pleased to serialize Chapter V, k for HILOBROW’s readers.
ALL INSTALLMENTS: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5.
“Have you considered that of all the continents it is of Africa that least is known; that no one nation has gained permanent control of that vast land? Our geographies tell us that owing to the excessive warmth and moisture and the prevalence of swamps, it is not yet known whether or not Africa is likely to be permanently occupied by the white race. Can one not read between the lines when he remembers that the Negro’s home is in the hot belt?”
“Yes,” replied Miss Gray, who possessed the wonderful trait of being a good listener, “though I confess I hadn’t connected the incidents.”
“Yes,” resumed Miss Noble, “it is only a question of time; even now the Negro has entered upon the new era. It is only through oppression, though, that the end is hastened; [it is] not permitted him to imagine himself secure, and the greatest advantage is that persecution is general. If a difference were made because of color, education, or wealth, the class above would soon sit in judgment upon the other and instead of lending a helping hand to its brother beneath would draw about itself a wall of non-intercourse as strict as the castes of India. But we are united by a common bond, we rise or fall with the blackest son of Ham or the fairest daughter who admits one drop of Ethiopian blood in her veins; the chain is no stronger than its weakest link; the race cannot ignore its most depraved villain.
“Oh, Violet, tell me, you are so wise, you know I am passionate and apt to possess a superabundance of enthusiasm. Do you think it possible that I may give to the world this inspiration, with power to compel them to appreciate its solemnity; dare I hope to admonish a race to begin the weaving of so strange a destiny?
“There are times when it seems mere folly that a Negro woman of moderate education [should dare] to address the public in a literary way, but ’tis not literary fame I seek, ’tis a message I bring, and ah!” she said, waving her arm gracefully toward the exquisite scene below, “when I can feel, upon witnessing such scenes, the throbbing of my heart as I do now, I feel that I am so close to God I would aspire to anything that is noble and worthy; I would have my people behold the beauties of nature while I whisper the message.”
“I think it is possible,” said Miss Gray, without removing her glance from the scene below, “that with God to help you may trust the story of your inspiration to find an audience. Forget yourself, tell it to me, think only of those whom you wish to serve, and leave the remainder to God.
“My work now will have for me a new meaning; I shall consider myself the advance guard of a mighty nation. Who knows but Grace’s children may read of this work of Violet Gray, the early missionary, in their African histories some day? Success to you, ardent girl, swerve not from your purpose, and perhaps some of your own posterity may in that sunny land compose the national hymn.”
Miss Gray smiled as she said this, but somehow her words impressed Miss Noble that she was terribly earnest. “I shall write you often,” Miss Gray continued, “and God grant, my young friend, that you may sow here the seed that will bring universal light to the African jungles.”
“I shall attempt it,” said Miss Noble.
RADIUM AGE PROTO-SF: “Radium Age” is Josh Glenn’s name for the nascent sf genre’s c. 1900–1935 era, a period which saw the discovery of radioactivity, i.e., the revelation that matter itself is constantly in movement — a fitting metaphor for the first decades of the 20th century, during which old scientific, religious, political, and social certainties were shattered. More info here.
SERIALIZED BY HILOBOOKS: James Parker’s Cocky the Fox | Annalee Newitz’s “The Great Oxygen Race” | Matthew Battles’s “Imago” | & many more original and reissued novels and stories.