Race in American science fiction

Abstract

RACE IN AMERICAN SCIENCE FICTION AUTHOR: ISIAH LAVENDER III INDIANA UNIVERSITY PRESS, 2011 PRICE: $24.95. ISBN: 13: 9780253222596 Science fiction often talks about race by not talking about race, makes real aliens, has hidden race dialogues. Even though it is literature that talks a lot about underclasses or oppressed classes, it does so from a privileged if somewhat generic white space. If science fiction is about social change, let us talk about how this change comes about from an other space, a black space. (p. 8) The above quote from this work not only illuminates how the author frames this work, but how race in science fiction often goes ignored through dialogue, character development, and cultural norms of this genre. Throughout this work the focus is to examine science fiction through a black cultural lens in order to offer a varying perspective on the silence of raced narratives in science fiction. The author asserts by neglecting the dialogue surrounding this issue within science fiction that this genre functions as a way to make privilege invisible. However, discussing 'otherness' unpacks this privilege and puts the focus on how black bodies are negotiated within time, space, and science fiction narratives. In the opening chapter, Introduction: Mapping the Background the author outlines the focus of this work. Isiah Lavender dismantles the privilege prevalent in this genre regarding the dismissal of race in the text, subtext, content, and style of science fiction. He suggests that in order for a true discussion of race to occur within science fiction that the invisible must become visible. In chapter two, Lavendar frames the discussion of racing science fiction in the following manner: Acknowledging and dealing with race in science fiction may have a significant cultural effect for the twenty-first century because it can prepare us for the looming social changes that may descend upon us as America ceases to be dominated by the white majority ... p. 25 Lavendar illuminates this point by examining work by the foremost writers in the field such as Octavia Butler, Walter Mosley, Samuel R. Delany, Nalo Hopkinson, and Sam Greenlee. The main focus of this chapter is to look historically at Science Fiction and how it has helped Afro-futurism within the literary narrative to emerge. The author posits that not only will black science fiction emerge as a booming trend among black writers, but it will be used to challenge the lack of paradoxical realities where African Americans are not viewed in an 'otherness' context. In Chapter two--Meta-Slavery, the author focuses on the depictions of bondage within science fiction. He posits that much of the language, visual representations, and reoccurring themes lay the groundwork for discussions pertaining to slavery with science fiction. In Chapter three--Jim Crow Extrapolations, the post slavery themes within science fiction are examined through text and sub-text of science fiction literature and films. The idea that the social hierarchy and racial superiority of whites in the United States is based on keeping African Americans as a sub-culture is examined in this chapter. In Chapter four--Ailments of Race, race constructs as plagues are examined throughout the science fiction genre. The author urges the reader to examine closely how race is rendered silent in lieu of plagues within the literature that causes characters similar manifestations. …