Whether or not you're following current discussions in the SF/F field around diversity and inclusivity, you should read Damien Walter's excellent look at why science fiction is going through a real-life war of the worlds. Here's the killer quote:
It is no coincidence that, just as it outgrows its limiting cultural biases, science fiction should also face protests from some members of the predominantly white male audience who believed it to be their rightful domain. What the conservative authors protesting the Hugo awards perceive as a liberal clique is simply science fiction outgrowing them, and their narrow conception of the genre's worth. Of course, if those authors really wanted to de-politicise science fiction, they could easily help to do so – by admitting the genre's historic bias and applauding its growth. And by doing everything within their power to welcome new authors from diverse backgrounds, instead of agitating for protest votes to push them out.
Well said.
This also brings up something I've been meaning to point out: the reactionaries protesting against the changes in the SF/F genre bring nothing new to the table.
Their arguments against diversity and tolerance and inclusion are the same ones people have been making for centuries. In addition, the writers sticking their fingers in the crumbling genre dike of their own privilege are not the authors creating truly groundbreaking science fiction and fantasy.
No, the writers moaning about losing control of the SF/F genre are stuck in the past and their fiction shows it. Their stories are pre-sweetened nostalgia spread between two slices of white bread and proclaimed artificially delicious. Their stories are genre junk food which simply doesn't take you any place new.
And being taken to new literary places is what I, for one, demand from my science fiction and fantasy.
If you want truly groundbreaking SF/F, read Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor. Read Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie. Read A Stranger in Olondria by Sofia Samatar. Read Osama by Lavie Tidhar. Read N.K. Jemisin's Inheritance Trilogy. Read the Southern Reach trilogy by Jeff VanderMeer. Or read the fiction of Ted Chiang, Rachel Swirsky, Nina Allan, Yoon Ha Lee, Saladin Ahmed, Ken Liu, Aliette de Bodard, Paolo Bacigalupi, Eugie Foster, Caroline Yoachim, and so many other authors I can't even name them all.
These are the authors melding new worlds and original insights with their fiction. These are the genre authors who will still be read decades from now.
I welcome the current discussion going on in our genre. But as you listen to the discussions, don't forget where the truly original SF/F is being created these days.
Hint: It's not by those authors screaming that they don't want their exclusive genre playground to change.