October is Black Speculative Fiction Month and like legions of others, I am celebrating it something fierce.
Why does Black Speculative Fiction Month matter?
Black Speculative Fiction Month matters because now more than ever our stories must be told and our voices must be heard. Black Speculative Fiction Month matters because too often at cons and writing events, I’m the only nonwhite guest in attendance.
Black Speculative Fiction Month matters because black lives matter, as #Ferguson has reminded us. Black Speculative Fiction Month matters because Racefail happened and there are white industry “pros” who have gone on record in claiming that black geeks are the result of the internet. Because apparently Octavia Butler didn’t happen.
Black Speculative Fiction Month matters because #BlackGirlMagic is real. It’s damn real.
Black Speculative Fiction Month matters because a bulletproof hoodie clad superhero is allowing us to have the conversations that have been long overdue.
Black Speculative Fiction Month matters because while Janelle Monae is an amazing chanteuse, her true identity Cindi Mayweather is the truth.
Black Speculative Fiction Month matters because the #WeNeedDiverseBooks, #WeNeedDiverseGames and similar initiatives are desperately needed. Black Speculative Fiction Month matters because too many people can’t wrap their heads around the fact that my characters Noah Scott, Cassidy Reeves, Brecken Everett, Nemesis, Violet Peters, Iyana. and Virgil Rhames epitomize #BlackExcellence and are not wishful thinking or flights of fancy.
Black Speculative Fiction Month matters because it illustrates how blacks are loving ourselves, embracing our power and creating our own spaces and efforts to thrive in a racist world that would sooner we didn’t.
That’s how #BlackExcellence gets down.
Thanks for your post.
As a white writer, I can never truly understand what it would be like to be the only person of my race at a conference or comic con. What I do know as a parent is that right now my son identifies with heroes of all races and genders because he’s only two. His hero is Tip from the movie Home. I know, however, that will change as he ages and as our culture imposes difference on his view of the world and others around him.
From my perspective, we not only need more writers of color in speculative fiction but we also need more heroes of color for our kids. Slowly, but surely, my son will seek out male heroes and likely ones who look like him because it’ll be easier for him to identify with them. The whitewashing of speculative fiction writers and heroes, along with much of our entertainment generally speaking, is a sad state of affairs. I hope it changes. Every kid deserves their own hero. Thanks again for sharing your perspective.
Reblogged this on Étude Life.