Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler

by Ibi Zoboi

I’ve known since I was barely three, sitting on the stairs with Baba, that it is better—much more interesting—to get to know others and to discover who and what they are. It is better to look into their eyes with open curiosity and learn once more about someone else.[9]

I wish we were able to depend on ethical systems that did not involve the Big Policeman in the sky.

eventually she stopped believing in the afterlife. Therefore, ghost stories were her least favorite.

I don’t think we will get over racial problems, because they’re just one more version of dominance games, and human beings unfortunately spend enormous amounts of time playing dominance games. When they don’t have race, they divide themselves in other ways,