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365x4.058: LLAP

R.I.P. Leonard Nimoy, March 26, 1931 – February 27, 2015*

• For Black History Month

Afrofuturism

The history of blacks in speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, horror, etc.) is longer than even i realized. Meaning it goes farther back than my egocentric experience of being a genre geek pretty much my entire life. The Wikipedia entry on “Black science fiction” (link below) includes notes about a couple of 19th century works by Martin Delany and Charles W. Chestnut that were news to me. Also intriguing was the mention of the 1902 novel Of One Blood by Pauline Hopkins, the first “lost civilization” novel by a black author. Most surprising to me, though was the mention of a short story from 1920 entitled “The Comet,” written by educator and intellectual W.E.B. Du Bois. Apparently, i need to pay more attention to what’s on my bookshelf (and actually do some more reading from there) because that story was published in the Dark Matter anthology i have sitting not 20 feet away from me.

The 20th century saw two titans of black speculative fiction emerge: Samuel R. Delany (whom i had the pleasure of meeting at the inaugural Fire & Ink LGBTQ writers conference more than a decade ago) and Octavia E. Butler who died tragically after a fall almost exactly nine years ago today. Both of them impacted me personally with their writing, Ms. Butler especially. (I’ve read every one of her novels at least twice.)

Newer voices continue to emerge in this field, particularly those of black women. Authors like Tananarive Due, Nalo Hopkinson, and N.K. Jemisin have not only caught my eye, but have caught the attention of readers worldwide. Reading Tananarive Due’s The Between and The Good House both had me grinding my teeth in tense anticipation. And N.K. Jemisin, only five novels into her career, has already eased the pain of Octavia Butler’s passing.

If you aren’t familiar with the authors mentioned above or in the links below, do yourself a favor and check them out now. They might expand your mind and change your life….

Black science fiction on Wikipedia

”Afrofuturism: where space, pyramids and politics collide” on theGuardian

Afrofuturism entries on Media Diversified

”Five Black Sci-Fi Writers You Should Know”

*I know: Leonard Nimoy was not black. But his passing on February 27 marked me as it did so many others. I decided to turn away from the somewhat more self-centered topic i was going to use and instead focus on “black speculative fiction.” Thanks, Mr. Nimoy. You taught us what it truly means to “live long and prosper.”

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From a month of black history-inspired images and information.

Taken on: February 27, 2015

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365 Days

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Leonard Nimoy

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Sets appears in: • Strobist • Black History more » • My Favorite Me • 365 Days the Fourth: The 2015 Session « less

Groups appears in: • Negative Space • Project 365 more » • NIKON speedlight SB600 - SB700- SB800 and SB 900 • 365 Days • One Strobe Pony • Self Portrait Strobist « less

Camera: Nikon D90, f/2.8, 1/125 sec, 50mm (=75mm), ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D90
Lens:	50.0 mm f/1.4
Aperture:	f/2.8
Exposure Time:	0.008 sec (1/125)
Focal Length:	50mm (35mm equivalent: 75mm)
ISO:	100
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Flash:	On, Return detected
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Spot
White Balance:	Manual
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.7 (Macintosh)
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