Science Fiction and Multiraciality: CBBG Event Recap

Crossing Borders, Bridging Generations (CBBG), a project of Brooklyn Historical Society, is an oral history project and public programming series that examines the history and experiences of mixed-heritage people and families, cultural hybridity, race, ethnicity, and identity in the historically diverse borough of Brooklyn. 

    

On December 14th, 2013, BHS’ Crossing Borders, Bridging Generations program hosted a fantastic, creative and well-received event titled Science Fiction and Multiraciality: From Octavia Butler to Harry Potter. This event allowed New Yorkers to critically engage with concepts and histories related to mixed-race identity and racialization through the unique portal of science fiction, fantasy and imagination. The event featured an interactive and multimedia presentation by Eric Hamako, social justice educator from Smith College, and a collective visionary fiction storytelling workshop by Walidah Imarisha, activist, poet, professor and Co-Editor of Octavia’s Brood: Science Fiction Stories from Social Justice Movements.

Audience members learned about visionary fiction as a tool to imagine inclusive and racially just futures, and analyzed and critiqued sci-fi media narratives (especially in the Harry Potter series) in order to expose stereotypes about mixed-race communities. Participants also learned about the new Hunger Games-inspired Odds In Our Favor campaign through our co-sponsor, the Harry Potter Alliance.

Participants thoroughly enjoyed the presentations and collective visionary fiction storytelling workshop. CBBG was delighted to host this exploratory and creative conversation through our program!

Read the event update and check out more photos here.