By Oyinda
Science Fiction and Fantasy, popularly referred to as SFF, is a fused genre of speculative fiction books. These books are either set in the world we know and live in, or in made up worlds, with varying levels of science fiction and/or fantasy elements. Books in this genre are some of the most popular books out there, with fandoms made up of millions of people.
Historically, sci-fi and fantasy books have featured white protagonists and villains, and have been made up of white casts of characters. Black characters hardly made any appearance if they weren’t the help or getting killed off as soon as the action started. Think Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, and other popular SFF franchises. The whitewashed nature of this genre has it made it impossible for young black kids, especially black girls, to see themselves adequately represented.
There has been, for a long time, a need for a surge in the black representation of girls in sci fi and fantasy, and not just as sidekicks or for tokenism. Lately, we have seen some amazing authors and storytellers take up this mantle and give us what we crave. Jordan Ifueko, Nnedi Okorafor, Tracy Deonn, Namina Forna, Akwaeke Emezi, Nic Stone, Bethany C. Morrow, and Kalynn Bayron are some authors who have written great sci-fi and fantasy books featuring black girls as main characters. The covers of these books are very beautiful and glorious, showcasing powerful black girls of varying complexions.
This representation especially matters to middle grade and young adult readers, the target audience of most of these books. The feeling of seeing girls who look just like you on book covers is so exhilarating and affirming. Going on to read the stories and then seeing said girls doing extraordinary things, saving the world, dismantling the patriarchy and in some cases falling in love while at it, is just perfect! Adult readers also feel seen and represented, and many of their reviews feature statements that translate to, “I wish a book like this was available when I was growing up”.
These books also explore themes essential to the black girl’s existence, including but not limited to family and friendship, dealing with racism and microaggressions, being black and queer, and also misogynoir and patriarchy.
In books like Raybearer (Jordan Ifueko, 2020) and Legendborn (Tracy Deonn, 2020), healthy female friendships are showcased between Tarisai and Kirah, and Bree and Alice respectively. These girls uplift each other and stand by each other. Family is a major theme in A Song Below Water (Bethany C. Morrow, 2020), which highlights a strong sisterly bond between Tavia and Effie.
These books also explore heavy and sometimes hard-to-read topics like racism and microaggressions. As black writers writing about these issues for younger audiences, the authors have done a great job of handling these themes, especially in books like A Song Below Water (Bethany C. Morrow, 2020), where the racism faced by Black people in America is one of the major themes; Legendborn (Tracy Deonn, 2020) where Bree is subject to some racist remarks and microaggressions like people touching her hair without permission; and Wings of Ebony (J. Elle, 2021) where people are racially profiled and the struggles of a black neighborhood is ignored by the media. In Binti (Nnedi Okorafor, 2015), the creatures and people in the trilogy are not quite what we’re used to, but there were elements of racism between the various races that existed in that world.
Black queerness is still a very touchy subject in many places and families. It is important that young black queer girls see themselves well represented in the works of fiction they consume, and SFF is not left out. Pet (Akwaeke Emezi, 2019) is a book featuring a trans girl trying to save her town from a monster no one believes is real. Cinderella is Dead (Kalynn Bayron, 2020) showcases two queer girls teaming up, and it is absolutely magical.
A lot of these books either have feminist undertones, or are outrightly sold as girls dismantling the patriarchy. Two such books about dismantling the patriarchy are Cinderella is Dead (Kalynn Bayron, 2020), where Sophia and Constance team up to bring down the king whose laws have made life hard for women and girls in Lille; and The Gilded Ones (Namina Forna, 2021) where a group of girls deemed outcasts because of their blood reclaim their imperfections and wage war against the monarchy. Some books where the feminist undertones become clear as you go include Raybearer (Jordan Ifueko, 2020) and Shuri: A Black Panther Novel (Nic Stone, 2020).
Personally, I am glad about the release of these books and grateful for their existence. A common thread about most of these books is that they are debut novels, and absolutely amazing. One thing to note from what most of the authors said is that they kept getting a lot of rejections, with people telling them that books with black girls on the cover wouldn’t go anywhere. A large percentage of these books are currently New York Times Bestsellers. We need more black books and I will never shut up about black girls killing it in every genre, especially SFF.
Black Girls in SFF Reading List
– Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
– The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
– A Song Below Water by Bethany C Morrow
– Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
– Wings of Ebony by J. Elle
– Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
– Shuri: A Black Panther Novel by Nic Stone
– Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
