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A Genetics Question for Octavia Butler

Buy this book at Amazon.comNow it’s 8:26pm on this Monday, October 31. I just got back from Eso Won Books. Octavia Butler, my favorite fantasy fiction writer, presented herself and her new book, Fledgling, about an “African vampire”—but it’s more than that I’m sure.

Eventually the questions came around to why there are so few Blacks in science fiction. Ms. Butler was quick to remind us that there are so many more than in the past—but the question still remains, “Why so few?” My question was disruptive to this familiar trail of tears, ‘Has the problem of recessive-gene beings preserving themselves for hundreds, thousands—even millions—of years into the future been addressed in these fictions?’

Of course Ms. Butler chose to relate my question to her pet subject of genetics—her disciplined mind processed my question solely in this context and began to reduce my question to the absurd. She heard the words ‘problem’ and ‘recessive’ and quickly assumed that I was saying that recessive genes equal problems. Since I have this ‘talent’ for bringing out the under-privileged youth education program in people, she did not think again on my behalf. I was totally unprepared for this response from her and was a bit upset. Nothing new in this age of grand illusion… What’s strange is that Fledgling itself features a bit of Ina genetic engineering. In fact, as I read her customer reviews at Amazon.com, I realize that her response to my question might have revealed her attitude to fact that I clearly failed to read—or read about—her novel before showing up to her talk to ask my “stupid” question:

Shori is a result of genetic manipulation on the part of her Ina parents. Ina’s are largely Caucasian in appearance—but Shori is black like the human female who contributed to her DNA. She is also a “day-walker” able to stay awake and function during the daylight hours and she represents years of genetic research into improving the dying race of Ina.

Apart from this review making deliberate references to Wesley Snipes’ Blade Trilogy, reviews like this one from Rochester Hills, MI clearly suggest that had I read her book before asking my question I would have received a wonderful answer.

Nevertheless, at the time, I failed to find the energy to ask my question in another way—being too preoccupied with being unprepared for her reaction to my question. The question can be put this way: ‘Has anyone in speculative fiction or science fiction saw the problem of featuring recessive-gene characters millions of years into the future?’ Should not the author take the time to explain how these people survived so long with these recessive traits preserved? The task of preserving recessive traits is a problem. The vampires in Octavia Butler’s new book provide solutions.

To find what Octavia Butler’s appearance in Los Angeles was like please see a Blog entry, “bLk SF revolutionaries,” about her appearance in Brooklyn. Such is the disciplined professionalism required on the book tour. Stay on message—that’s how George Bush Jr. won Texas.

This, I reckon, is the second time Octavia Butler is referenced in the kinté space. The first time should be found in “The World Wide Floyd Webb 2004” here at kintespace.com. Presently, I can only wish for more of her mental powers and presence.

Comments

butler, 2006-10-27 00:56:53

I ran across your site while just surfing around, wanted to say hi and I like the blog.

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