Octavia Butler Tried To Tell Us

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[@Bliv285]

Literally reading parable right now. She WARNED us.

[@khismet]

Yes, I'm reading it too! Her book Kindred was my first foray into Octavia❤❤❤ My Favorite!

[@hneebrn]

Crazy I just started it today

[@kharynj6629]

I just re-read it last week- WOW. I knew I'd heard MAGA before. She was a prophet

[@Itoshimi]

She literally warned us. Omfg.

[@Pafemanti]

"God is change." Read those books in 2018, at the height of Trump's presidency. They helped me to understand and come to terms with a lot. Definitely recommend to anyone trying to get a sense of what to do and how to move in an increasingly dystopian system. For all of you who haven't read them, these books do show a way forward, but it's not the kind of way forward that erases all the dystopia and leads to a happy ending for everyone, more like a set of clues as to what is going to be important to keep living and thriving when all hell breaks loose.

[@maryburrell3948]

She really was trying to tell us. And here we are in 2024

[@PrometheanFlame]

I think Octavia said that her writing was based on analyzing various social forces and historic trends to their logical conclusion. Not to take away from the strength of her narratives and warnings, but many people have done this for decades but often the message is not popular in the beginning. Like people still invested in electoral politics probably didn't pay her much mind.

[@chescaleigh]

Oh for sure she did a ton of research, for example on the effects of climate change so she was truly reflecting where we were heading. But some of the specifics of the election in the 2nd book are eerily spot on to the current election. Even so the first book opening in 2024 feels incredibly poignant now

[@PrometheanFlame]

@@chescaleigh I believe you. I need to read more of her books. I think there could definitely be something there, to a spiritual or even metaphysical effect.

[@marigolden_mariposa]

​@@chescaleighI could be wrong but I heard somewhere that the Make America Great Again slogan was already used by somebody before her book, or at the very least before Trump ever said it, so it's not like she pulled that completely out of her head and predicted Trump's slogan. again, that could be incorrect. love your videos ✌️

[@mismay360]

@@chescaleighFranchesca, have you seen her archive at Huntington Library? It’s the collection of all of her notes ancillary papers.

[@nicire24]

@@marigolden_mariposa The slogan was used by Ronald Reagan. His was Let’s Make America Great Again. Trump just dropped the let’s. Trumps campaign was actually compared to and folks drew attention to the similarities of the campaigns.

[@Aireekuh62523]

I originally read the Parable series in the late 90's I think. This series and "The Handmaids Tale" have been on my mind.

[@CortexNewsService]

I stumbled on her books at a public library when I was in college in the mid-90s. Been a fan ever since

[@gabrielmaroto18]

I saw her doing an interview on PBS and I was just amazed. This woman is awesome.

[@aeron6052]

My absolute all-time favorite author! Can't wait! I constantly think/reflect on Parable of the Sower these days.

[@chocodiva]

She is my favorite author too!

[@Mayaa805]

I’ve been reading the Parable series every year since the 2016 election. There is so much wisdom for us. She was a prophet for sure!

[@mother0fdragons]

when the Andrew Jarrett quoted Make America Great Again, my heart sunk & I felt legitimate fear. I just finished the book last night & im still reeling. Great work!

[@barbarabarnaabel3138]

I'm completely blown away by all of this. The content, the visuals, your thought process, your gift for sharing your thought process and insights.

[@chescaleigh]

aw thank you!! i had fun working on this

[@Parallelepiped2]

Octavia Butler's science fiction is so interesting, can't wait for the video!!

[@Parallelepiped2]

Thanks for summarising the connections between her dystopian world in the Parable novels to our current world. I hadn't thought of the books in many years. Prophetic is an understatement!

[@someblaqguy]

I want more of her works to end up on screen (preferably executed well). Every short story in Blood Child can create its own standalone tv show if ever expanded upon.

[@ericka77]

I have recommended Octavia Butler's parable all summer long. She is my absolute favorite author. A soothsayer of the highest order.

[@chooselife8527]

Just finished parable of the sower and it was intense. shes definitely a prophet.

[@CortexNewsService]

Talents is even more intense. And a little too prescient for comfort.

[@jmaessen3531]

Love this!! I've read her books Kindred and Dawn (only part 01 of that Lilith's Brood trilogy) and *love* her writing. My sister in law just recommended Parable of the Sower and this sealed the deal for me! Let's do this!

[@jessicabw]

Beautiful art! I need to get the books thank you for sharing!

[@mzharper2728]

WOW!! She tried to tell us, damn.

[@Capgpro1]

So glad you are posting on YT again. ☺

[@cai_nwa_ogu]

The sad thing was she hoping that her work wasnt prophetic. Her work is a warning. Smh.

[@SpudFilms]

I’m reading it now. And let me tell you, Octavia was on to something.

[@VB-fo1oc]

I found this author when I was 14 and she changed my life ❤

[@malmal3003]

I started reading Parable of the Sower and had to stop cause it was not providing the escape from reality I needed😭. Octavia was just reading the trends and telling the story. I'll try and finish it next month.

[@CortexNewsService]

It's too real. Too real.

[@EricaVainTV]

really dope and yes she tried to warn us FOR SURE!!! Thanks for sharing... a side note: the music is really loud that makes it hard to stick with the video, its competing with your voice versus complimenting it.

[@klomax7089]

Beautiful graphic! I've read both books and yup, it's really real and very thought-provoking. I need to read them again.

[@jnyerere]

I read Parable of the Sower about a year ago. I still need to read Parable of the Talents.

[@avaba4431]

I’m looking forward to this. Happy to see you here again! Love your podcasts

[@xDianaMoonx]

This is really beautiful! I loved seeing your process from start to finish. Would love to know how many hours this took? Whenever I'm in the mood to make some collages or graphics in Photoshop, I always feel like I'm the slowest, taking hours or days.

[@chescaleigh]

Thanks! This took 50 mins

[@someblaqguy]

I was reading Blood Child (my favorite book) when I noticed this video 😅 I am a HUGE Octavia fan.

[@jencook203]

I read them when they came out and they BLEW MY MIND then. I'd forgotten that they take place in 2024. In the Star Trek Universe, The Bell Riots also happen now.

[@NiaSmores]

great design! would love to see more :)

[@zanaleezee]

i read the parable of the sower near the end of the pandemic as well and it scared the FK outta me. It still does.

[@hellzbelle229]

I’ve been telling folks for years that these books are almost prophetic. I strongly recommend them to anyone, because fiction can be uncannily instructive.

[@Christyle6464]

I loveeee this! Thanks for posting ❤

[@daniellewilliams4018]

I read that about two years ago and was blown away by the parallels.

[@adnaloy9025]

Yes she did! And we ignored it. Look now.

[@SeaDanceDream]

Thanks so much. She was a prophet. So much of what we think was metaphorical was literally in our face happening. One of my top 5 authors of all time up there with Dostoyevsky, Faulkner and Morrison. Hoping more people read her work. Even the dark, scary stuff. It all is extremely relevant. Great video. Thank you. 🙏🪷🦚🪭🥁🫖🏞️

[@galaxylucia1898]

Omg I started reading it last August but it was so sad and depressing that I took a break. Feeling better and ready to tackle it again.

[@musicneurons7807]

Toshi has a podcast named this! She wrote a song and play as well. I thought this was a collab. (She's daughter to late Bernice Reagon) they have merch ❤.

[@jjb9132]

Bernice Johnson Reagon is still very much alive to my knowledge!

[@littlefinger5199]

She did! And they don’t want to listen to Black women!! WE BE KNOWING!!!…. Darn it!

[@grittykitty50]

That's why everybody has their tail in a knot about Biden being too old to hold office.

[@AngryAussie]

Next books on my list

[@FGP_Pro]

Just started reading "Parable of the Sower" this week. I'd like to listen to your video, but at @0.52 it sounds like there will be spoilers. So I hope to come back after I've finished reading it and "Parable of the Talents". Best wishes.

[@MsGemini]

Chile where you been?!?! 😂😂

[@chescaleigh]

See my last video! I explained why I took an extended break

[@MsGemini]

@@chescaleigh Just watched, been watching since day 1. Keep doing great and amazing things 😉😘

[@kesi3029]

excellent content. I appreciate seeing your creative process. Tananarive Due did a collab series in 2020 with Monica A. Coleman “Octavia Tried to Tell Us.” it’s like dozens of lectures. maybe you’ve seen them already. matter fact I’m gonna go back myself and rewatch a few. hope you enjoy! 😊

[@victoriacreese8825]

Just finished talents and YES

[@CortexNewsService]

I was literally saying tis to ky neighbors last night.

[@lisaw44]

I finished Sower a few weeks ago and I’m reading Talents now. This is my 2nd time around with both. If I wasn’t a psychologist I would probably be struggling with losing touch with reality. Yet not struggling because much of OEB’s “dystopia” is actually BETTER than current reality. We’re doomed. And by “we” I mean all non cis het ✋ men.

[@jamesmarie]

How to keep people dumb? Put it in books.

[@Shamazya]

Very pretty!

[@maryburrell3948]

Octavia Butler was very prescient.

[@maryburrell3948]

When I was reading Parable of The Sower and Parable of The Talents during the pandemic and so many were dying of the virus. And Trump was driving the country over the cliff and it seemed like we were about to fall into the abyss.

[@grittykitty50]

It's very difficult to understand you at times because of the music.

[@MiniM69]

The debate is what made you feel this way? You didn’t feel that way beforehand? Read Project 2025 and get back to me!

[@chescaleigh]

Please do not twist my words or talk down to me. I didn’t say my concerns didn’t exist before the debate. I said “especially in light of the debate” as related to the election in Parable of the Talents. I read these books 2 years ago & I’ve read project 2025.

[@FabuleeT]

thank you!! it IS real