{"id":405,"date":"2021-04-04T10:13:46","date_gmt":"2021-04-04T10:13:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tjwolfauthor.com\/?p=405"},"modified":"2021-04-04T10:13:46","modified_gmt":"2021-04-04T10:13:46","slug":"diversity-in-sci-fi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tjwolfauthor.com\/?p=405","title":{"rendered":"DIVERSITY IN SCI-FI"},"content":{"rendered":"

In SCIENCE FICTION, anything<\/em> is possible — from Space Exploration and Alien encounters … to Advanced Technology … to Time Travel. The setting could be here on Earth … or in a galaxy far, far away. SCI-FI is meant<\/em> to be a world of possibility with creativity and imagination — for Everyone.<\/p>\n

DIVERSITY in Sci-Fi means Storytelling that includes Real People — facing Real Struggles and Challenges — associated with every kind of Obstacle, including differences in Class, Race, Sexual Orientation, and Physical Ability.<\/p>\n

Diversity in SCI-FI is not<\/em> new! Diverse Characters have always appeared in Science Fiction. Sometimes they just wear the mask of an ALIEN.<\/p>\n

“Sure,” you say. The original Star Trek<\/em> featured Lieutenant Uhura, played by Nichelle Nichols, a woman of Color. Star Wars<\/em> had Lando Calrissian played by Billy Dee Williams (The Empire Strikes Back<\/em> & Return of the Jedi<\/em>) and Darth Vader was voiced by a Black man (James Earl Jones).<\/p>\n

Still, if you survey the overall amount of DIVERSITY in Science Fiction — compared to the Real World around us — you will find it sorely lacking. In her 1980 essay “The Lost Races of Science Fiction” … acclaimed SCI-FI author Octavia Butler said, \u201cBlacks, Asians, Hispanics, Amerindians, minority characters in general have been noticeably absent from most science fiction.”<\/p>\n

She was right. Look up \u201cScience Fiction\u201d on Google … and you’ll find many successful Books, Movies and TV Series (such as DUNE<\/em>, Alien<\/em>, 2001: A Space Odyssey<\/em>, Back to the Future<\/em>, The Matrix<\/em>, E.T.<\/em>, Jurassic Park<\/em>, Terminator<\/em>, and FRINGE<\/em>.)<\/p>\n

But the majority of Characters in all those examples are WHITE. Few people of Color exist (and sometimes, none at all). There may be a small number of Blacks and Asians, but the rest<\/em> of the people in the World are seemingly Forgotten.<\/p>\n

Why? Some say “that kind of storytelling won’t succeed in Hollywood”. But Film-Makers are proving them wrong. We see examples every day of Fictional Characters originally type-cast as White, but when Race is changed — it actually works. Avengers<\/em> was a HUGE Hit, the team put together by Nick Fury — played by Samuel L. Jackson. (Another example: consider the recent success of Black Panther<\/em>.)<\/p>\n

We need<\/em> more DIVERSITY in Sci-Fi.<\/p>\n

WHY? Because Diversity in Storytelling fosters Inclusiveness<\/em>.<\/p>\n

SCIENCE FICTION can only fulfill its promise<\/em> when it appeals to all people. It can only inspire us when we can RELATE to the story being told — so that You and Me and Everyone else … including Real People who face every kind of Obstacle — have something to Hope for, for the Future of their children.<\/p>\n

Heroes are about Overcoming ADVERSITY. They are loved for being strong, smart, making the best of bad situations, sticking to what they believe in, and always doing the right thing — no matter what the cost.<\/p>\n

Relatable<\/em> Heroes mean even more — because they are Human enough for us to see Ourselves in them. They spark passion and idealism in children of every Color — then keep those fires burning in adults.<\/p>\n

DIVERSITY in SCI-FI is a Key to fighting RACISM.<\/p>\n

A New Wave of Sci-Fi Writers … including Native American, Asian American, and African American — seek to challenge Racist ways of thinking about the FUTURE.<\/p>\n

Native Americans draw on native knowledge, stories, language and traditions. Asian Americans draw from Mythology and cultural experience: separation, loss, and adapting to a new Way of Life. African Americans draw on the history of Race relations … including Slavery, the African Diaspora, and the Civil Rights Movement. SCI-FI can help us envision a FUTURE … that embraces Diversity in Human Relationships.<\/p>\n

We need DIVERSITY in Sci-Fi — because our World is CHANGING.<\/p>\n

If we hope to Survive, Humanity must EVOLVE. We need a New view — an INCLUSIVE View — of Our FUTURE … to help us Embrace it.<\/p>\n

…
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