Okay so this just showed up in my submission box.
I suppose that in the future it is anticipated that women and minorities will be qall in equal proportions. It seems the script writers could not have a sceen in which there were mor ethan three men represented together in any upper level capacity. I mean you are kidding me with the black/latino woman as the aggressive scientist and the asian chinese scientist as the helper. This thing just drips with political correctness. Recall the bridge of Star Trek, white guy in charge, russian and asian at the helm, black girl on communication, alien white guy as scientist, scotish engineer, white doctor, white girl as yoeman. I mean really, Babalyon 5 is the same with just better special effects.
So you seem to have Political correctness confused.
Being Politically correct is altering your language so as not to offend people of particular genders, ethnic groups or sexualities.
Babylon 5 portrays a realistic world, for the most part, which is not the same thing.
Women are our equals, ethnicity doesn’t matter, society just hasn’t caught up to these facts yet. There are many women, and people of all ethnicities in positions of authority already, in the military in the medical professions and in politics, and they deserve our respect not because they are a woman in those positions or because they’re a role model to other people of the same ethnicities, but because they’re a person, in that position. Is it unreasonable to suggest that women will be treated no different to a man in 250 years time? Or that the African or Asian Man or Woman won’t be at a disadvantage compared to the white Man or Woman next to them? I certainly don’t think so, our society is trying its best to get there and we’re going to drag the nay-sayers and detractors kicking and screaming with us.
This is a positive message, it isn’t politically correct.
But Babylon 5 has racism, and sexism in abundance. The knowledge of Telepaths and Aliens changes the perspecties of the prejudiced, now it’s okay if you’re Indian or Mexican, because at least you’re still human. The Centauri society is full of sexist attitudes, the Women have no authority, outside of seers or telepaths, or any “soft power” they might gain from whom they’re married to, against their will more often than not. The Minbari are incredibly bitter and xenophobic and isolationist, and even went on a genocidal war 13 years prior to the begining of the series.
These things aren’t in contrary to each other. You can strive for a better world and a better society and strong relations on all fronts, but you will be beset by hateful attitudes on all sides no matter how hard you try.
It’s a real grounded and strong message, that no matter who you are, and the struggles you face, things can work out, “even for people like us”.
Which is why I’ve answered and posted this person’s spiel.
And I’d like to suggest to anyone else looking to post this kind of talk about Babylon 5 (or anyone or anything else within our community’s earshot for that matter) that while you have the right to say these things. We do not have to put up with it.
And I personally will not publish anymore hate speak on this blog, so don’t bother sending it. The Babylon 5 Tumblr community is a welcoming safe and wonderful place. Please try and keep it that way.
-Admin
