Aliens Exposed In Amnesty, By Octavia Butler

Through popular culture, it is clear that many people are fascinated by the prospect of extraterrestrial creatures. Some of the most common scenarios include alien abductions, invasions, and human-alien interactions. But how would humans really react in the face of such a drastic event? Octavia Butler portrays a version of this warped reality, in which alien “Communities” invade the desert regions of Earth. Humans are forced to come to terms with these new conditions, unveiling the many layers of depth and complexity of the human mind. From the midst of all the fear and confusion, Noah seeks to recruit humans who are willing become translators for the aliens. In Butler’s short story, “Amnesty,” Noah’s relationship as mediator between the Communities

But in trying to gain the upper hand, humans reveal the cruel, unforgiving side of humanity. After Noah is finally released from the Community’s bubble, she is immediately captured again by FBI agents. Both species held her captive, but, “the only difference between the way [the humans] treated [her] and the way the aliens treated [her]… was that the so-called human beings knew when they were hurting [her]” (170). People assumed that the Communities were intentionally violent toward their prisoners, but in reality, it is the humans who are creating more damage. The aliens were foreigners in a new land, completely unaware of how humans function. On the other hand, Noah’s government captors were people of her kind. As individuals of the same species, humans should be able to share many of the same experiences and empathize with each other. However, instead of treating Noah with compassion, they knowingly abused their power over her. The Communities acted out of curiosity, but the humans shattered all emotional connections and pushed her toward suicidal thoughts. Without individuals like Noah to alleviate the fear in the situation, humans might continue to wrongfully accuse the

The themes in “Amnesty” are also relevant to our society today. Many times, humans still allow their suspicions to get the better of them. Although people may do it unintentionally, their mistrust in opposing groups can lead to prejudice and racism. In our current political landscape, immigration is being portrayed as a danger to communities. Fear has overwhelmingly amassed the public, leading to one of the most controversial divisions our government has ever seen. Although it seems like building a wall provides increased protection for the country, it is actually inducing inner turmoil. The new policies introduced by the president are normalizing the discrimination between contradictory groups, rather than strengthening our relationship with them. If society continues to resist change, it might also lead to a war that America cannot win. Therefore, it is necessary to have individuals like Noah to help appease the situation. It is nature’s law for all organisms to evolve and adapt to their environment, and humans are no