Octavia Butler's Kindred: Past, Present, and Future

Abstract: Octavia Butler’s Kindred is a ground-breaking work of speculative fiction that tells the story of a woman mysteriously transported from the twentieth century to an antebellum slave plantation. The story offers a complex depiction of the legacy of slavery and its impact on race, gender, and identity in American culture. The novel celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and was recently adapted into a graphic novel. In this panel discussion, literary scholars, historians, and creative writers will discuss the legacy of Butler’s vision and the ongoing significance of this work.