Bending Genres in Kindred
The author is trying to bring attention to how the history of slavery still haunts modern Americans and that they shouldn’t wash their hands from the past. Dana's attitude pre-time travel was more like “it is in the past and it doesn’t affect me”, which is a modern view on the issue. Her experience in the past was necessary for her to claim an identity and to serve as a reminder. The fact that the book contrasts the two attitudes bluntly shocks readers into the realizing how serious the issue is. Because the book opens up conversations about outlook on race, which is a significant issue that appeals to a large mass of readers, it is attactive to them.