ABSTRACT
Storytelling is foundational in the Black community, including Black queer culture globally. Sharing one's experiences exposes a unique reality for both narrator and reader, one otherwise never imagined. In addition, certain features of communication are salient and crucial in oral storytelling traditions, such as repetition of language, rhythm, and even gestures because these features aid with memory. In this manner, tales are told according to themes rather than respecting chronological order. Relatedly, Osman's work demonstrates an Afro-fabulation that clearly resounds with the spirit of Afro-futurism. This resonance is evident in both his literary voice and social media outlets. By the end of The Butterfly Jungle, Migil, our protagonist, sheds their skin and experiences a rebirth as a butterfly demonstrating an Afro-optimistic future. Moreover, the notion of bleeding Black underscores both division and unification – division from the white community, which in theory bleeds red, but unification with all the other Black men targeted for various types of violence.
