The Stream

Sci-fi for social change

Authors discuss science fiction’s role in social justice movements.

Can science fiction spur social change? Sci-fi often evokes images of space travel and future technology, but fantasy worlds are also being used to examine attitudes towards sexism, racism, violence and other injustices. Through imagination and prose, sci-fi writers are challenging the status quo to create alternative realities. We’ll speak to authors using the genre to critique our existing universe. Join us at 19:30 GMT.

On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:

Daniel José Older @djolder
Author of “Shadowshaper”, “Half-Resurrection Blues”
shadowshaper.net

Walidah Imarisha @WalidahImarisha
Co-Editor of “Octavia’s Brood: Science Fiction Stories from Social Justice Movements”
octaviasbrood.com

Zen Cho @zenaldehyde
Author of “Sorcerer to the Crown” 
zencho.org

Mark Oshiro @MarkDoesStuff
Science fiction blogger
markreads.net

What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.