[Jake Tyler]

You can view the article at http://ufplanets.com/content.php?241...terracial-Kiss

[Hermanator]

I was looking forward to this article ever since I saw it on the calendar. Have to say you haven't disappointed, the opening was specifically strong. I'm also happy to see that you went and discovered new people to quote, instead of that of Whoopie Goldberg who is by far the most quoted person when it comes to Race and Star Trek.

I myself am unsure if Star Trek helped change society, though I know it certainly attempted to. It has always until recently took precedence in the debate for change!

[Kains]

Great article, and one I somehow missed until Hermanator pointed it out in the chatbox. So hats off to you both!

I personally believe Star Trek has helped challenge, and therefore change, society as a whole. I think it's primary success in that arena comes from portraying people as simply being people, regardless of skin colour, gender, or even religious background. Seeing men and women working together in the workplace, while being downright rebellious decades ago, is the accepted norm now. The idea of having a woman in the second officer's position in 60's was unacceptable, but by the 90's she could run the whole show.

Whenever I see inequalities in our current society, I can't help but look back on that and think that if I do my part and teach my child that people are simply people, then he will one day look back on those issues and wonder how we functioned as a society, much like how we look upon civil rights issues of the 60s.

If you ever get a chance to read some of Martin Luthor King Jr.'s work, it is well worth the time.

[Kantazo]

All also depends how you see racism, for example sometime is not even based on the color of the skin, white man discriminate against white man because they are from a different nation, like white people in the USA looking down on white people from Mexico or Cuba. Or European people who consider themselves because they are from England better than the white people from the USA or white people from the Caribbean or Latin America, there is a lot of fabric from which to cut a garment.

I am Hispanic white, my mom was descendant from Spanish people (Spain) and my father is descendant from white people from England/Scotland and I have been discriminated here in the USA because I was born in Cuba.

I have never given a rat ass about discrimination towards me, but I hate seeing people discriminating against black or older people or children.

Hitler is known for been one of the worst anti-Semitic person in the world and his mother was Jewish. Ironic?

There are many forms of racism, like for example when you go to an office and the person behind the desk thinks that because you are not USA white you are too stupid to understand what she is trying to tell you.

[Hermanator]

All also depends how you see racism, for example sometime is not even based on the color of the skin, white man discriminate against white man because they are from a different nation, like white people in the USA looking down on white people from Mexico or Cuba. Or European people who consider themselves because they are from England better than the white people from the USA or white people from the Caribbean or Latin America, there is a lot of fabric from which to cut a garment.

I am Hispanic white, my mom was descendant from Spanish people (Spain) and my father is descendant from white people from England/Scotland and I have been discriminated here in the USA because I was born in Cuba.

I have never given a rat ass about discrimination towards me, but I hate seeing people discriminating against black or older people or children.

Hitler is known for been one of the worst anti-Semitic person in the world and his mother was Jewish. Ironic?

There are many forms of racism, like for example when you go to an office and the person behind the desk thinks that because you are not USA white you are too stupid to understand what she is trying to tell you.

Point of Information - the Discrimination which you mention is Xenephobia, and not Racism.

Hitler's mother was not Jewish, the rumour is that she was raped by a Jew but that's purely speculation and Rumour. There is also Rumour that his grandfather on his Fathers side was Jewish, also speculation. Though Anti-Semitism can be considered Racism because its about Semitic People. Who are a race of people.

Either way I think it can be stated that both forms of discrimination are deeply flawed, its not about colour of skin, or size of the nose, but rather the content of the character.

[Kantazo]

Indeed, you are right. It is so foolish to discriminate people. Where I work we have people from many different countries that work here and it is so nice to see everyone from each country talking to each other as brothers and listening to their laughs

[Mazoue]

Great article, Thank you Jack! Racism seems such a thing of the past sometimes until something happens in your proximity that makes you aware it is still very much in the here and the now. Seems we as a society still need to mature and grow before we become the same human race we see portrayed in Star Trek.

[Kantazo]

Great article, Thank you Jack! Racism seems such a thing of the past sometimes until something happens in your proximity that makes you aware it is still very much in the here and the now. Seems we as a society still need to mature and grow before we become the same human race we see portrayed in Star Trek.

I agree with you.

[Jake Tyler]

Thanks guys, especially to yourself Hermanator for plugging it in the forum chat I'm glad it has stirred some debate from members and im glad to see it has been enjoyed.

[Silynn]

Great article Jake. I am of mixed race (Chinese-Irish/German) myself, so as a kid remember being kind of 'different' looking from the other white kids. As you can imagine, an "asian looking kid" living in the "Post-Vietnam" years in the States was interesting. Funny enough, my best friend through primary school was the only african-american kid at the school.

Nevertheless, I am of the opinion until we see the First Inter-Species (Aliens) Kiss, the human race will not be able to fully overcome 'racism', as Sad as that may be.

It is stuff like Star Trek and other shows pushing the 'socially accepted norm' barriers that are important. It helps removes the blinders that people tend to wear and hopefully opens their minds. In the hope that people will stop focusing on the surface (skin, gender, orientation, etc) and look at the person for who they are.

[Supergrover]

Great article Jake. I am of mixed race (Chinese-Irish/German) myself, so as a kid remember being kind of 'different' looking from the other white kids. As you can imagine, an "asian looking kid" living in the "Post-Vietnam" years in the States was interesting. Funny enough, my best friend through primary school was the only african-american kid at the school.

Nevertheless, I am of the opinion until we see the First Inter-Species (Aliens) Kiss, the human race will not be able to fully overcome 'racism', as Sad as that may be.

It is stuff like Star Trek and other shows pushing the 'socially accepted norm' barriers that are important. It helps removes the blinders that people tend to wear and hopefully opens their minds. In the hope that people will stop focusing on the surface (skin, gender, orientation, etc) and look at the person for who they are.

A little OT but I am of the opinion that as long as it is just us humans racism will exist, once/if contact is made with other species I fully expect the race distinction to die down as we turn that "racism" towards other life.

[Rina]

The idea of having a woman in the second officer's position in 60's was unacceptable, but by the 90's she could run the whole show.

Indeed if you'll recall the actual pilot for TOS had a woman as the first officer, Spock was an ancillary character who wasn't guided solely by logic, she was. After the pilot they changed it and put Spock in her place and basically in her role.

[Kains]

My father was a navy captain, so we moved around a lot. As a kid I lived in an area where I was one of two Caucasian children, the rest being of African descent, and I learned a fair bit during my time there.

I joke with friends I still have from that region that my time there is the reason I have rhythm and soul

However, I learned about the uglier side of things. Having one teacher turn to me and say 'White people have it too easy in the world, you wont in my classroom', is perhaps the cleanest experience I can relate. I know for the other Caucasian kid I was there with, this was absolutely crushing, and it made him even more meek and social distraught than before. Personally I took it with a 'I'll show her' attitude, like I normally do, but I couldn't help but see how that affected a young child, especially a then 'visible' minority, because it means they now stick out in a crowd even more than before.

That, to me, is always the worst kind of discrimination: The kind placed on children. To get back on topic for a second, I personally believe this is where Star Trek truly excels; by showing children that there is no limit based on gender, skin colour, or ethnicity... or anything. Be the person you want to be and you'll be happier for it.

[Hermanator]

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Kains again."

Great story, certainly highlights that bigotry is among all races and creeds. Which is certainly something the BBC would rather we didn't know. (Note: I like to attack the bbc at least twice out of my six comments)

[Kains]

Which is certainly something the BBC would rather we didn't know. (Note: I like to attack the bbc at least twice out of my six comments)

Nothing wrong with that; The BBC produces some very fine programming, well regarded the world over (Certainly superior to *ahem* other offerings). Having said that, they do produce some absolute schlock, and can sometimes be incredibly biased. Harsh criticism, often called 'feedback', keeps folks improving.