In the wake of a controversy over who the culture of an entire continent belongs to within the context of its far-flung descendants (many quite involuntarily flung at that), I revisit a set of blog posts I wrote several years ago regarding speculative fiction, world building, “appropriation” and the Africa of our imaginations. Can one appropriate the self?
This blog’s been deserted for almost two months. Seems I got wished away to the cornfield by Anthony again…that kid is a gem. Will try and make my way back soon.
Whispers: *Think good thoughts.*
“He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.”– Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776.
In the bleakest of moments African-American writers have turned to literature to confront racial terror and the trauma it could induce–turning to poetry, personal narratives, plays and novels. Sometimes, they even dreamed of the fantastic.
Another Sunday another Game of Thrones. Well, the season finale actually. And true to form, it left viewers crying out to the Old Gods–and the New. In which would-be kings fall, a girl gets her revenge, a Khaleesi finds herself alone and the The Night’s Watch…well… “These Crows Ain’t Loyal.” Let’s just do this.
Phenderson Djèlí Clark 