Resistance in the Age of Trump: Lessons from Civil Rights and Octavia E. Butler
Tananarive Due connects the activism of the Civil Rights Movement with Octavia E. Butler’s dystopian novels to offer hope and actionable resistance strategies for turbulent times.
In a poignant and timely re-publication of her 2017 essay, author and UCLA professor Tananarive Due draws parallels between the dystopian warnings of Octavia E. Butler’s Parable novels, her parents’ civil rights activism, and the modern political climate. Framed against the backdrop of Donald Trump’s presidency, Due delivers a powerful call to action, underscored by lessons from the past and a hopeful path forward for resistance.
Key takeaways include the urgency of resistance, the necessity of self-care, and the importance of storytelling as a tool for activism. Due’s reflections weave together historical insight, personal anecdotes, and Butler’s prescient fiction to guide readers through turbulent times.
“We must resist. To do that, we must believe we can create change,” Due asserts, echoing both her parents’ activism and Butler’s belief in the power of vision.
In practical terms, Due advises focusing on incremental daily actions, coalition-building despite disagreements, and maintaining vigilance in the face of institutional resistance.
“Allies squabble—now get over it and build coalitions,” Due writes, urging unity amidst the chaos.
For readers seeking guidance on navigating resistance movements or inspiration from Butler’s prophetic works, Due’s essay is both a roadmap and a rallying cry.
Tananarive Due
