May 14, 2013

Whitewashing Star Trek: Into Darkness.


I wouldn’t say that I’m a trekkie, but I’ve watched every episode of Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and all the movies in the franchise. In fact, I’ve been waiting anxiously for the release of Star Trek: Into Darkness. That is,  until I read this well-written article at racebending.com about the casting of  one of Star Trek’s most infamous villains, Khan Noonian Singh, and the betrayal of Gene Roddenberry's vision.


Star Trek: Into Whiteness

If there’s one thing that most fans of Star Trek will agree on, it’s the fact that Gene Roddenberry’s vision for the show — and, more optimistically, for human society — was predicated on the idea that all life is valuable, and that the worth of a person should not be judged by their appearance. Much of this was done through the old sci-fi trope of using aliens to stand in for oppressed groups, but Star Trek didn’t rely on the metaphor; it had characters who were part of the ensemble, important and beloved members of the Enterprise crew, who were people of colour. It had background characters who were people of colour. And, here and there, it had anti-heroes and villains who were people of colour … one of whom, Khan Noonian Singh, became well-nigh iconic.

And who is now being played by white actor Benedict Cumberbatch in the new JJ Abrams reboot movie, Star Trek: Into Darkness.


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The Coalition for the Exoneration of Marcus Garvey is petitioning Senator Bill Nelson, Representative Frederica Wilson, and the Congress of the United States of America for the exoneration of Marcus Garvey: 


We are also petitioning President Barack Obama to exonerate Marcus Garvey: 


Thank you for your support..

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