Politically, sociologically, and musically, there is no better time for a festival like AFROPUNK to exist. Mass protests fill the streets, hashtags screaming resistance swirl through social media, and historically disenfranchised citizens are rushing to take the government's seats of power. Still, there's a long way to go before we experience a sea change in the status quo. But in the meantime, we have uplifting gatherings such as AFROPUNK to motivate and teach us to always dream of a brighter, more inclusive future.

Held annually since 2005, the Brooklyn, New York, festival – which is more of a merger of artists, activists, self-acceptance – spreads four stages across 10 acres in Brooklyn’s Commodore Barry Park. This year, names like Erykah Badu, Janelle Monae, Twin Shadow, Miguel, Tyler, The Creator, and Jaden and Willow Smith are set to fill the headlining spots. Check out the rest of the inspiring artists performing below:

AFROPUNK Atlanta, dubbed the Carnival of Consciousness, features headliners like N.E.R.D., the Internet, Little Simz, Noname, and more. The rest are listed below, with more to come:

In a statement issued by AFROPUNK, this year's theme of "The People Resist" is explained further:

This resistance is not new! We, the people who have lived under the thumb of white supremacy, gender inequality, homophobia, environmental rape and economic apartheid have always known that when the world is an outrage, the sensible thing to do is defy it.

Resistance is survival, not just a hashtag. But if it's going to be a social media call to political arms, let's make that fucker count!

This resistance is not only about the toxicity of sick men in power.

We, the people recognize the laws they codify are pornographic fever-dreams of late-stage capitalism and white patriarchy, its bottom-lines built on the broken backs of individual human rights, and on development for the few but cheap plastic lives for those segregated from society.

Our moral teachers taught us the ethics on which to build this fight, and our punk roots gave us the strategy.

This resistance is not nihilism.

When the People Resist, our collective "No" is actually "Yes" - to all, for all. We stake everybody's claim, rejecting old colonial privileges.

When the People Resist, it is inclusive, not exclusive -our arms open to the oppressed, and a finger in the air to the oppressors. We respond to the absurdity of their limited vision.

When the People Resist, it is unity, not division - loud voices speaking together, even if they aren't all saying the same thing. We reject the purity of agreement, for the righteousness of our displeasure.

The People Resist...because there's nothing else left to do now.

AFROPUNK Brooklyn takes place August 25-26, 2018, and AFROPUNK Atlanta takes place October 13-14, 2018. Tickets for Brooklyn available here. Tickets for Atlanta available here.