Octavia E. Butler Article, May 1, 2000

Octavia E. Butler's latest novels, "Parable of the Sower" and "Parable of the Talents," depict a grim near future where economic collapse and religious intolerance plague America. Amidst chaos, Earthseed, led by a complex black woman, rises. Butler's science fiction highlights flawed black women as central figures, reflecting societal gravity and her own groundbreaking narrative in the genre. Through an interview, Butler reflects on racial and gender dynamics, emphasizing the hierarchical and contentious nature of humanity. She articulates her choice to center black women in her narratives, driven by the absence of representation in traditional science fiction. Despite her hopefulness, she warns against humanity's tendency to repeat historical mistakes, advocating for proactive measures in confronting looming crises like global warming.