The Alfa and Omega of Dystopianism

  

    In our reading this week, "Black Space," by AdilifuNama, I was particularly intrigued by the analysis of Chapter two, "Bad Blood: Fear of Racial Contamination," about how racial contamination that is presented in science fiction and its connection with the maintenance of racial boundaries in America. It discusses the racial taboos such as interracial sex, black blood contamination, racial eugenics, racial assimilation, and racial paranoia. The chapter goes on to cover how there is a relation between the implosion of racial boundaries and apocalyptic or dystopian version of the future that are presented in many science fiction films. This taps into the fear that was and still is held in today's society of racial assimilation along with the other racial taboos mentioned previously.

    In comparing this with The Omega Man, which was filmed in 1971 that was mentioned in this chapter, as well, tells the story of a man living in dystopian Los Angeles by himself when he discovers a community of other humans. His love interest, Lisa, is black, and from the movie trailer that I watched, I found it very interesting how the zombie people who were coming after them were both black and white, as well. I found this interesting because, in most cases, in cinema black people are presented as villains, but this film presents a true dystopia where any racial, gender, or cultural prejudices have to be put to the side in order to survive. This film symbolizes the fear that is held in America over racial assimilation and the dropping of racial boundaries.