Art: Yolanda Fundora ©2022 Syracuse Cultural Workers ©2025 Octavia E. Butler (1947-2006) was an award-winning science fiction writer and a pioneer of Afrofuturism. Her work explored issues of race, gender power, and what it means to be human. As the Trump regime seeks to erase Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives from our nation, and force people to ignore our history, Ms. Butler's powerful words are a reminder of why we need to fight back.