The Earthseed Series: Octavia's Parables - a podcast by Gabe & Kat

Octavia Butler's Earthseed series (Parable of the Sower & Parable of the Talents) paints a grim near future. Protagonist Lauren Oya Olemina fights to survive and prevail in this hellscape America plagued by religious extremists, rampant illiteracy, intense violence, and more. Lauren has found the true form of god, that of change and seeks to share the words of Earthseed: the books of the living. Butler's work is a harrowing tale of a world, though alien to us isn’t too hard to imagine. It is the exaggerated, horrifying outcome of our current actions, almost a promise. But she also offers an answer to these horrors, a comfort in the form of Earthseed; of community and resistance. Gabe breaks down the books and their themes. Kat explains the scary motivations behind Butler's series and where we are now. 

What can we learn from the Earthseed series?

[Gabe's section starts at 6:11 if you want to avoid spoilers for the time being. Kat's section starts at 37:20].

Sources in this Episode:

Why So Many Readers Are Turning to Octavia Butler's Apocalypse Fiction Right Now

Parable of the Sower study guide

Illiteracy is costing America — here’s why

https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/piaac/state-county-estimates.asp

thinkimpact

https://realtimeinequality.org/

Pandemic, Social Unrest, and Crime in U.S. Cities: Year-End 2021 Update

For more on the Parables:

Octavia Tried to Tell Us

Octavia’s Parables

Ways to Help & Things to Learn:

Kat found a website that allows you to search by area what plants are native to where you live, to make sure you’re working with your environment instead of against it:

This also helps climate change. There are also places that teach about foraging and herbalism https://theherbalacademy.com/herbalism-courses/

In foraging be mindful of the environments around you and your impact on them. Learn about the ways in which different plants grow, and the importance of not over foraging or damaging local ecosystems: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/how-to-forage-wild-foods

The Gathering Basket Cookbooks - Rooted in the cultivation of Indigenous food sovereignty and elevating and preserving Indigenous Narratives, I-Collective is developing a Cookbook and Webinar Series to assist in strengthening the connection of our people to their food. Indigenous food sovereignty is critical because many health issues are tied to colonialism and the exploitation of resources, land, and people: https://www.icollectiveinc.org/

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