Was Chakotay a stereotype?

[The Overlord]

It seemed like there were a lot of times where Chakotay would act like a Native American stereotype.

Look at this quote from Basics Part 2:

""Trapped on a barren planet, and you're stuck with the only Indian in the universe who can't start a fire by rubbing two sticks together."

And that's hardly the only time he acts this way. It seems odd to me that Native America spirituality is seen in the 24th century, but you never see Christianity or Islam mentioned much, if at all. Janeway is white and has an America accent, but she doesn't talk about Jesus all the time, so why does Chakotay mention the Sky Spirits almost all the time. That just seems to be part of the stereotyping.

[Guy Gardener]

His spirituality is based on Aliens gently raping his culture.

Jesus is made up fairy tales.

There were actual Aliens pretending to be gods that created his religion and no matter their fall from grace after interbreeding with humans for ten centuries, a thousand years earlier they were probably as advanced and cunning as Janeway on the Basics planet dealing with those savages who tried to eat Kes.

[R. Star]

It would've actually been cool if they seriously made an effort to have Chakotay express his culture and spirituality in a believable way. Specifically name a tribe, don't just barrow cliche elements from the stereotype and put an effort into research.

It would be just as bad if they had a black man on there who practiced voodoo, played jazz, hunted lions and referenced working in the cotton fields.

[teacake]

The Overlord wrote:

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Janeway is white and has an America accent, but she doesn't talk about Jesus all the time, so why does Chakotay mention the Sky Spirits almost all the time.

To sound cool and mystical.

[Guy Gardener]

Rob claimed off camera that Chakotay was a native South American Indian, which is not to be confused with all the Spaniards who claim that they're natives.

But then if he is a member of the "Rubber tree people" Tribe, which he is, that makes a lot of sense.

Where in North America do you find a quantity of Rubber trees?

No bloody where.

Rubber Trees are tropical.

[teacake]

I think there were some visuals which would point them to South America but I don't recall what (other then the definitely not North American foliage). Which makes the rubbing together with two sticks thing even more dumb as that is not a South American stereotype. I think it ended up a grab bag of cliches to which the word indian was attached.

[teacake]

I wish I had a religion that was proved to be aliens.

[Guy Gardener]

It's a question of necessity.

They needed fire.

Chakotay was useless.

Kathryn provided.

They need an Archer.

Chakotay was useless.

Tuvok provided.

[R. Star]

But at least he can tell you all kinds of native american culture stories.

[Guy Gardener]

teacake wrote:

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I wish I had a religion that was proved to be aliens.

Jesus claimed that he was god because he brought Methuselah back to life.

Methuselah was an Immortal alien called Flint from TOS.

Did Jesus lie about, take unwarranted credit or fake all of his other miracles too?

Um...

Have you heard the good word about Scientology?

[Guy Gardener]

Star Grinch wrote:

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But at least he can tell you all kinds of native american culture stories.

Once you accept that he made up the Angry warrior story, you have to wonder if Chuckles made up all his stories and then couched them in ancient Indian mysticism for the hard sell?

His pants are on fire.

[Deckerd]

Since when did one's ethnicity mean you had to be expert at everything in that society? It's the 24th century for fuck's sake. How many of them, d'you think could fly fish, imitate barn owls or woodpeckers to fool the authentic bird, run a red light without causing a pile-up or get served at a 6 deep bar 2 minutes before the bell?

[teacake]

Guy Gardener wrote:

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Jesus claimed that he was god because he brought Methuselah back to life.

Methuselah was an Immortal alien called Flint from TOS.

Did Jesus lie about, take unwarranted credit or fake all of his other miracles too?

That was Lazarus. From the Alternative Factor. And he should have stayed dead.

[Deckerd]

teacake wrote:

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That was Lazarus. From the Alternative Factor. And he should have stayed dead.

Nerd

[teacake]

Deckerd wrote:

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Since when did one's ethnicity mean you had to be expert at everything in that society? It's the 24th century for fuck's sake. How many of them, d'you think could fly fish, imitate barn owls or woodpeckers to fool the authentic bird, run a red light without causing a pile-up or get served at a 6 deep bar 2 minutes before the bell?

They are all pathetic and can't do anything thanks to replicators, holodecks, transporters and too much evolved humanity for their own good.