Overview
Samuel R. Delany explores the systemic nature of racism, its manifestations in science fiction, and his personal experiences as one of the first prominent African-American science fiction writers.
Racism as a System
- Racism is primarily a system supported by material, economic, and social traditions, not just individual actions.
- Change is most effective at the systemic level, not by assigning individual guilt.
Black Writers in Early Science Fiction
- Delany is often labeled the first African-American science fiction writer, though earlier black authors existed.
- Examples include Martin Delany, Sutton E. Griggs, Edward Johnson, and George Schuyler.
- Many early pulp writers were anonymous, so some may have been nonwhite.
George Schuyler and Satire
- Schuyler's "Black No More" satirically explores racial identity and societal confusion when blacks can become white.
- The novel included graphic depictions drawn from real lynching accounts, highlighting the horror behind racism.
Experiences with Racism in Science Fiction
- Delany faced prejudice, such as having his novel "Nova" rejected due to a black main character.
- At a Nebula Awards banquet, Delany received a racially charged joke from Isaac Asimov after a tense speech criticizing new literary directions in SF.
- The presence of race as a defining lens is persistent for black writers in the field.
Patterns of Segregation and Tokenism
- Black writers are often grouped together at events and panels, sometimes unintentionally, perpetuating isolation.
- Institutional and chance factors both contribute to systemic segregation.
The Role of Institutions and Conventions
- Systemic racism persists unless institutions actively promote inclusion and dialogue.
- Combating racism means fostering anti-racist traditions, encouraging diverse participation, and addressing visible and invisible biases at events.
Race and Literary Generalization
- Delany notes the problematic generalization of "African-American science fiction" based on the attention given to writers like Octavia Butler.
- This generalization can be both racist and sexist, reducing diverse individuals to a single category.
Recommendations for the SF Community
- Build social vigilance into event planning, such as diverse panel assignments and inclusive discussions.
- Address the appearance of racism as well as its substance, since normalized racial groupings reinforce systemic prejudice.
- Support traditions that encourage intermixing and dialogue among all writers and readers.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Racism (Systemic) — A structure supported by social, economic, and institutional practices, not only individual bias.
- Proto-science fiction — Works that predate or border on the recognized genre of science fiction.
- Tokenism — The practice of including a small number of people from underrepresented groups to give the appearance of diversity.
- Prejudice — Pre-judgment, often unfounded, that contributes to systemic bias.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Actively plan and support anti-racist policies at conventions and in literary institutions.
- Encourage diverse participation and break up habitual racial groupings at events.
- Facilitate open discussions about race and inclusion in science fiction communities.