The Cosmic muse and the wonder of existence has inspired many with hope, dreams, and sometimes a few nightmares. We can join those who have gone there before us. There are writers like Octavia Butler, Samuel Delany, N. K. Jemisin, and others before and since. There have been tribute anthologies for Butler and Delaney since this book. Jemisin has been shortlisted for awards. There is also coverage of some to the science fiction shows that have Afrofuturists. Star Trek which has black characters in all of its series is acknowledged in part. There is also mention of the impact of musicians like Sun Ra, George Clinton and Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am who have been inspired by the cosmic music. Some have explored and communicated with other planets in their own way.

This accessible book explores some interesting subjects like Human Fairy Tales, Motherhood on Mars, Modern Mermaids, Moonwalkers in Paint and Pixel, Time Traveling, The Surreal Life, the Future World, and Agents of Change. This book though does not have whole chapters on the writers mentioned or Star Trek which always had black characters. One can find such subjects elsewhere if they look at a library, bookstore, or on the web. Hard to imagine that the first bi-racial kiss took place in Star Trek almost fifty years ago. Women only gained the right to vote in 1919. The Civil Rights Movement continues, but without very powerful and famous spokespeople.

It can still shape one's life. Even with a black president there is still need for social change. There is likely to also be a need for social change with a woman president. This book has a wonderful prose style and abounds with hope. It is inspiring and multi-ethnic in many of its pronouncements. There is though the grim reminder of some of the things people experience on the street. From a white perspective there are encounters with those who are playful, but also some who send warnings and threats. There are those who are inspired by Bruce Lee who would have you move out of their way. There are people who are not interested in sitting next you on the bus. There are those who are inspired to spit on the ground in disgust when you pass by. Even in San Francisco.

One wonders about people self policing themselves. Most are busy or on their way somewhere, but there are some idle who prey on others, usually out of necessity. The idea that there are new Blackulas out there seems very racist to me. Vampires were spawns of the devil and usually evil. Maybe there needs to self policing, but Blackula seems like an example of Blacksploitation (There was an old movie from 1972 that I don’t want to watch). Despite laws against segregation some choose to remain among their own kind though.

Truer to this subject, an inconvenient truth to reminded of for those who found this exploration too hopeful, is the idea of a new Blackenstein (There was an old movie from 1973 that I would watch). This potentially reconfigured entity is not the spawn of the devil. Rather the result of the failings of the Socially Concerned, Social Programs, and Social Engineering. Here is a pariah, an outsider, a stranger, who has not found a place in society. Here is an example of the failing of a social and Wealthfare System that does not always work for everybody. It is interesting to note that many consider Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to be the first science fiction novel. Her’s also was an outsider with unmet needs. Science Fiction has had a hard time following this classic. There could be a Movement sequel to it, but it might not be best in science fiction. Maybe Blackenstein would be more happy on a space voyage, in the future, or a Utopia. I don't think it is accurate to say we put him on Star Trek. It is strange that we live in a society where people cannot ask for what they need. It is also sad that we cannot always trust strangers. There are also not always places where people can go when they need something.

This might have been a necessary urban and sociological digression for some. Not everybody is with the race into space though. Realists have made fun, even though they have used cosmic metaphors and symbols. Some still think it is escapism.

Even as late as last year, luminary Toni Morrison wrote in the modern and sordid God Help the Child (2015) in the same chapter: