August 7, 2000
Black (and Feminist, Gay, Hindu, etc.) Science Fiction
Tidbit Archive
| Science fiction, writes reviewer Gregory
Feeley, has long been "predominantly a white, middle-class phenomenon:
enamored of revolutionary sentiment (all those Galileo-like scientists
railing against orthodoxy and space colonies rebelling against a repressive
Earth) but deeply conservative in its exaltation of bourgeois values."
From time to time, black authors have entered the field, and recently more
have begun to discover the genre and introduce their own unique perspectives
into it.
The recent publication of an anthology of black science fiction by writer Sheree R. Thomas entitled Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction From the African Diaspora (Warner Books, July 2000) has attracted considerable attention. Among the authors represented in this book are well-known writers like Samuel Delany and Octavia Butler, and lesser-known ones like Nalo Hopkinson. The book is likely to introduce African American readers to a type of literature to which most had paid scant attention in the past. As Butler observes, "it's the literature of hope and liberation, and this resonates with black Americans because it speaks positively to worlds that are different than the ones that sometimes have marginalized them." Blacks are not the only group whose science fiction works provide a special perspective. The links below illustrate the surprisingly wide range including Jewish, Gay, Christian, and Feminist sf, among other genres. |
Order Dark Matter from Amazon.com
Links:"Looking for the Invisible," an article about Dark Matter by its author, Sheree R. Thomas, in which she discusses the book and her motives in compiling and editing it.
"Brothers from Other Planets," by Gregory Feeley, The Washington Post (July 30, 2000). An essay-review of Dark Matter.
Review of Dark Matter by Steven Silver.
"Rendezvous in Haiti." A poem by Sheree Thomas.
Sci Fi Noir. The purpose of this site, according to its creator, Lee Harrison, is "to highlight science fiction and fantasy from a black perspective. To explore and expand the definition of 'blackness' using the tools of literature and visual imagery against the backdrop of science fiction." Includes an annotated list of black sf writers and other features.
Feminist Science Fiction, Fantasy and Utopia., by Laura Quilter. Much more than just a list of authors, this is a very useful site for exploring all aspects of feminist sf.
Christian Fandom Home Page. "Christian Fandom is an interdenominational fellowship of sf fans
interested in the courteous and accurate representation of Christian viewpoints in the sf community."Jewish Science Fiction and Fantasy -- a long list sf stories and books on Jewish themes, including Jewish authors from Isaac Asimov to Isaac Bashevis Singer (and even Woody Allen).
The Ultimate Science Fiction Site has a list of science fiction by country that includes information about sf in each country and some links. Unfortunately, the site suffers from primitive design and requires lots of patience to navigate. Sixty-nine countries are listed, although there is information on only 35 of them.
Alternative Sexualities in Fantasy and SF Booklist, compiled by Mary Anne Mohanraj. A lengthy list with a few comments and a very few links.
Lambda Sci-Fi. A Washington, DC, club devoted to gay and lesbian sf. Site includes lists of books, movies, TV, and other diversions.
Bibliography of Mormon Speculative Fiction. Intended to be a comprehensive list of sf by Mormon authors.
Science Fiction/Fantasy Authors of Various Faiths. A long list, with many citations and links. The majority of the authors are Christian (various denominations), but the list also includes some Jews, Hindus, Baha'i, and others.
Chicago in Science Fiction. Not an ethnic or religious group, but another way of categorizing themes in sf. A list of over 100 sf books and short stories that involve Chicago in one way or another. Part of Steven Silver's SF Web Site, which also includes the list of Jewish sf (above) and a list of sf books and stories that involve baseball. Has anyone put together a list of tennis in sf? Or golf?
