Kindred

by Octavia E. Butler

That’s history. It happened whether it offends you or not. Quite a bit of it offends me, but there’s nothing I can do about it.”

I found my thoughts shifting to Nazi book burnings. Repressive societies always seemed to understand the danger of “wrong” ideas.

Rufus had caused her trouble, and now he had been rewarded for it. It made no sense. No matter how kindly he treated her now that he had destroyed her, it made no sense.

My back had already begun to ache dully, and I felt dully ashamed. Slavery was a long slow process of dulling.

“She means it doesn’t come off, Dana,” he said quietly. “The black. She means the devil with people who say you’re anything but what you are.”