#black sci fi

[eastsideofthemoon]

Chapter 2 is up!

@disco-bang

[tani-b-art]

Is it the standard for Black writers to make Black sci-fi and fantasy films with an always triggering lesson? Do Black writers in these genres have to always present their work with trauma…do we have to always make the art of escapism so traumatically racialized?

And there are many more to list and name.

Escapism isn’t supposed to be reality. Police brutality and time travel shouldn’t go hand-in-hand. Magic and being the “token” Black shouldn’t be what makes supernatural (I watched the trailer for The American Society of Magical Negroes …😒— and the word Negroes in a film with zero historical context is so cringe).

Why we can’t just make a film with an all Black cast in these genres with potions, leprechauns, other realms, giants, dragons, creatures, magical powers, wizards, witches, goddesses, princesses and princes, queens, kings, castles and it be just that?

[deadassdiaspore]

[fandomsandfeminism]

A quick primer on Black SciFi authors to check out.

Wanting to diversify your SciFi experience?

Start with Octavia Butler. She's the legend. The master. Her Parable books are INCREDIBLE. (If you like vampires, Fledgling is also good.)

From there, NK Jemisin. Her Broken Earth trilogy is her most well known work, and very much worth the hype. Loved it. Her newest book (The City We Became) is a great piece of urban fantasy too.

Next, I want to rec Nalo Hopkinson. I read Brown Girl in the Ring in college, and it really stuck with me.

Lastly, Rivers Solomon. Their works are incredible. I'm in the middle of An Unkindness of Ghosts right now, but their queer mermaid novella The Deep is also very excellent.

Please, please, add your own recs below!

[dukes-cassettetape]

[prettydollshai]

THE 4400 AND POWERS~

Dr. Andre Davis(1924)/ ability: transference: the ability to absorb someone's pain and give it to someone else.

A 4400 ability usually represents who a person is. Dr. Andre is a doctor from the 1930s that always tries to help someone but can sometimes make the situation worse and his abilities reflect that. He parallels sean from the original series as being a healer and having a deadly touch.

Ladonna(2015)/ability: Illusion projection: She can make others see what she wants them to and can even change her own appearance.

weakness: she can't mimic voices.

Ladonna is a former reality star in the 90s so it makes sense that she has illusion powers. I'm curious to see how she'll progress. Her ability is extremely useful. In the future she possibly will take the appearance of someone high up in power.

Shanice Murray(2005)/ability: Memory visualization, empath.

weakness: she has to able to touch you. Negative memories have an emotional consequence for Shanice.

Shanice is a former lawyer who advocates for those who are less privileged. Shanice's ability is useful for learning information, for now she can only see memories and they have an emotional toll on her depending if the memory is sad. This power reflects shanice's character as Shanice listens to other people's problems as a lawyer so it makes sense for her to be able to see what's on a person's mind. It's possible her ability could grow and that she can read thoughts but for now it's limited to memories.

Claudette Williams(1958)/ability: self-heal

Weakness: Can only self-heal

Claudette has suffered from others in her past making her able to heal herself. However, she has found protection from fellow 4400s and Jharrel. So far she hasn't been able to heal others but that could change. Another character that possibly parallels sean. Claudette will possibly start her own movement.

Reverend Isaiah Johnston(1994)/ability:Nullification

weaknesses: Has to touch the person

Isaiah Johnston is a complicated character. Like loki said:No one bad is ever truly bad and no one good is ever truly good. Isaiah's ability can nullify other 4400s abilities rendering them powerless for how long is still undetermined. It's possible Isaiah can take away powers permanently. He parallels the character Jordan Collier, as Isaiah is seen as the 4400s leader just like Jordan was.

Hayden Turner(1930s)/ability: precognition.

weakness: misinterprets the vision.

Hayden is a cool character and seems to know more than he's telling. He parallels maia. He could be adopted by Keisha or he might stay with Shanice's family. His ability spurs him into action but can sometimes be detrimental as he doesn't get the full picture.

Mildred Bell(1970)/ability: Telekinesis

weakness: can't control her emotions

Mildred has a lot going on. She was tortured by the government, her sister is a mysterious figure, and she exposed all of the 4400s abilities. Her ability so far is the strongest in terms of combat. she parallels Richard Tyler.

Ji-Eun Jeong(?)/ability:Glow

weakness:?

Ji-Eun is a sweet woman looking for guidance which she found in Isaiah. Her ability so far is glowing green but we don't know the extent of her abilities. We don't know much about her but she is a character that relies on faith and her ability is like a guiding light.

Noah Harris(?)/ability: musical compulsion: He can make people do what he sings in his songs.

weaknesses: he has to sing to compel

Noah is a transgender boy and bonds with Hayden and Mildred. He is currently being locked up by the government in secret.

[themarysue]

If You Really Want to Unlearn Racism, Read Black Sci-Fi Authors

I needed some hope. I shared this with my sociology professor, and he went to his bookshelf and took down The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Leguin. After that, you

[season7episode1]

Lovecraft Country: A History of Violence 01x04