Speculative fiction by writers of color

The works of many well-known writers of color tend to examine issues of identity politics, religion, feminism, race relations, economic disparity, and the often unacknowledged and rich histories of various cultural groups.

The history of slavery, the African diaspora, and the Civil Rights Movement sometimes influence the narrative of SF stories written by black authors.

[3] This concept is present in Shibli's novella Masās, which depicts the third-person perspective of an unnamed Palestinian girl's life, who interprets her overwhelming surroundings through colors.

[4] With activism and creativity being silenced and oppressed, many literary critics have turned to speculative fiction to express and comment on the dystopian qualities of their daily lives.

[9] With various perspectives from the diaspora, many works of Asian speculative fiction present commentary on xenophobia, imperialism, environmental degradation, independence, identity, and belonging.

Sometimes introducing elements of cyberpunk and the supernatural, works in this genre can also transport readers to a realm separate from reality while discussing similar themes.

[11] Japanese speculative fiction, encompassing a diverse range of literary works, has a rich history deeply intertwined with the country's cultural and social contexts.

The roots of Japanese speculative fiction can be traced back to ancient folklore, where mythical creatures and supernatural phenomena played prominent roles in storytelling.

One of the earliest pioneers of Japanese speculative fiction was Rampo Edogawa, a pen name of Hirai Taro, who gained prominence in the early 20th century for his psychological thrillers and surrealistic narratives.

His works, such as "The Human Chair" (1925) and "The Fiend with Twenty Faces" (1936),[14] blurred the lines between reality and fantasy, setting a precedent for future generations of Japanese speculative fiction writers.

Notable authors during this period include Yasutaka Tsutsui, known for his satirical and thought-provoking tales, and Kobo Abe, whose existentialist novels often delved into the human condition within surreal settings.

[15] In contemporary Japanese speculative fiction, themes of artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and environmental degradation are prevalent, reflecting the anxieties and realities of the modern world.

[16] Writers like Haruki Murakami have garnered international acclaim for their fusion of magical realism with speculative elements,[15] creating narratives that blur the boundaries between the ordinary and the extraordinary.

Whereas science fiction in the English-speaking world developed gradually over a period of evolutionary change in style and content, SF in Japan took off from a very different starting line.

Many speculative works by Asian American authors delve into the immigrant experience, addressing themes of displacement, assimilation, and the search for belonging in a new land.

[30] From "The Junction of the Ocean: A Tale of the Year 2098", a story of how the construction of the Panama Canal changed the landscape of the world[31] to "The Republic of Orissá; A Page from the Annals of the Twentieth Century”, a dystopia about a revolt against Britain's institutionalization of a law supporting slavery on colonial India,[32] and "Sultana's Dream", a feminist utopia in where traditional gender norms are turned on their head,[33] as well as, "Runaway Cyclone", about a man who calmed a sea storm using hair oil, which anticipated the phenomenon known as the "butterfly effect,"[34] these authors' contributions bring unique perspectives on imperial and anti-imperial sentiments during colonial times.

Some of these include stories about Karachi losing its sea, Gandhi reappearing in the present times, and aliens appearing on the railways of Uttar Pradesh.

Machado notes, “in many cases we need more than reality to accurately describe reality.”[40] Adam Silvera's They Both Die at the End, presents a noteworthy exploration of bisexuality, particularly through the contrast between Mateo and Rufus.

However, the novel's portrayal of Rufus, who has already embraced his bisexuality as an integral part of his Latinidad, offers a nuanced intervention into discussions of queer identity within Latinx communities.

Silvera's depiction of Rufus aligns with Lázaro Lima's proposition that queer identity practices can provide alternative social imaginaries, bridging past, present, and future experiences.

U.S.-based Latinx authors use speculative fiction to depict the experiences and struggles their communities face with the United States, including issues of prejudice, discrimination, marginalization, gentrification, and displacement.

For instance, Rodrigo Bastidad, co-founder of the independent publisher Vestigo, explains, “People do not have time to think about the future because they are too busy surviving the present.

These narratives serve as vital threads, resonating like entangled particles of ancestors and descendants, offering boundless possibilities rooted in Latinx identity.

The genre offers Indigenous authors and readers a chance to express, reclaim, and reshape their narratives while questioning conventional views on gender and culture through fictional stories.

This erasure and replacement included views on queer identities, where men and women were expected to conform to specific and narrow gender roles within societal constraints.

In numerous indigenous tribes, the term "two-spirit" connotes a person who embodies both male and female archetypes or "spirits", resulting in a balance or mixture of gender expression.

[49] Two-Spirit speculative literature delves into the intersection of identity, culture, and queerness, and can inspire and empower readers to explore these aspects in their own lives.

Two-Spirit literature is characterized by a sense of optimism and hope for the future, contrasting with the dark history of Indigenous peoples in the Americas, marked by destruction and genocide.

[citation needed] Through their writing, these authors shed light on the harsh realities that queer indigenous people face in modern times, including systemic oppression, loss of native language, and cultural and sexual identity.

[citation needed] By imagining worlds where people live on other planets, dimensions, and realities in both the past and present, Two-Spirit authors allow readers to explore the endless possibilities of the human experience.