I love Butler because she was a girl who loved science fiction. I love her because she was a black woman who didn't quite fit into the (white and black) mainstream perception of a black writer, or even as a regular black person, woman. I feel at home in her stories, empowered by her female (or "other") protagonists. I am a sci-fi nut, so I consider her stories truly science fiction art. And I believe that through her and other writers like her, there will be more work and teaching devoted to science fiction writers of color, queer writers, and female writers (or writers that are all three of these things). I say this not to take away from the "classic" (white, male) writers since I am also a fan of their works as well.
I perceive science fiction as a space for writers to break (or reafirm) sexual mores, to advance (left or right) activist perspectives, and a place to entertain as well as to teach, to admonish, to call attention to societal ills. Most science fiction writers have done this in one form or another; the imaginary worlds of technological advances, utopias and dystopias allow writer and reader to dream and to experience horror.
The reason why I titled this blog, "Words and Thoughts on the World(s) of Author Octavia E. Butler" is that this blog won't be exclusively about Butler.
I will write about science fiction, African-American literature, women's literature, feminist literature, feminist theory, womanist theory, etc. Anything I write about will connect with Butler's work in one way or another. I plan to discuss all of her novels, essays, and short stories.
Time to get started...and thanks for stopping by!
