January 2013 Challenge: Ethnicity and Culture

jespah · January 4 2013, 08:45 PM

For a future that's supposed to have peace and harmony and no one caring about race, etc., there's an awful lot of Anglo-Saxon names in Trek. Kirk, Pike, Reed, Tucker, Barclay, Riker, Chapel, Howard, anyone?

But scratch the surface, and you find plenty of examples of characters practicing faith, showing off their heritage or otherwise bringing something different to the table. Everything from the Ishikawa-O'Brien wedding, to Hoshi Sato fretting over a recipe, to Chakotay's facial tattoo, to Uhura conversing in Swahili, to Kira Nerys calling on the prophets to Vulcan and Klingon rituals attest to the fact that the future is not a homogeneous melting pot of people.

Hence the challenge is to show characters engaging in something that show off their ethnicity or culture, whether it be a rite, a recipe, a bit of clothing or something else.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

And now, The Rules:

Word limit: 10,000 words max, with a little wiggle room above.
Story must be original for this month’s challenge, nothing posted here before please.
All Trek genres, series and films are fair game. Original characters are fine. No crossovers, please.
Only complete stories will be eligible.
Post a link to your entry in this thread when you’re done.
Contest to run until midnight (US Eastern Standard Time) January 31st, with voting to follow from Feb. 1st to Feb. 3rd, 2013.

Any questions can be directed to me here or via PM.

Have fun!

Angry Fanboy · January 5 2013, 12:32 AM

Mmmmm, certainly a little different to the usual challenges that are set (and my own in particular!)

I think I'll pull the USS Majestic and its crew out of mothballs and see if I can explore this challenge using them, although I must admit I'm a little stumped at the moment.

I'll have a little ponder on the matter tonight!

jespah · January 5 2013, 01:26 AM

Pondering makes me think of Pinky and the Brain.

Nerys Ghemor · January 5 2013, 01:44 AM

You know...I might actually be able to muster up an entry for this one! We'll see, but I might be able to do it.

Count Zero · January 5 2013, 02:54 AM

That's quite an interesting theme. And I believe one that we haven't had, yet.

Cobalt Frost · January 5 2013, 04:43 AM

What about someone immersing themselves in another culture, or even "going native", as they say?

jespah · January 5 2013, 05:26 PM

Cobalt Frost wrote:

What about someone immersing themselves in another culture, or even "going native", as they say?

Why not? Go fer it!

Sandoval · January 5 2013, 05:33 PM

Cobalt Frost wrote:

What about someone immersing themselves in another culture, or even "going native", as they say?

Cue the inevitable Apocalypse Now ripoff/tribute...

Angry Fanboy · January 5 2013, 09:32 PM

I sorta have something worked out but it's very early days!

Count Zero · January 5 2013, 09:42 PM

Well, that sounds promising.

Angry Fanboy · January 5 2013, 09:44 PM

Sandoval wrote:

Cue the inevitable Apocalypse Now ripoff/tribute...

I've always fancied writing a Star Trek Apocalypse now ripoff/tribute!

jespah · January 5 2013, 11:35 PM

Kirk, Kurtz, hmmmmm......

Angry Fanboy · January 6 2013, 12:09 AM

All I can think of now is writing an Apocalypse now ripoff!

Damn it!

Cobalt Frost · January 6 2013, 03:22 AM

Well, I have a couple of ideas bouncing around my noggin right now, neither of which is an "Apocalypse Now" ripoff as I've never actually seen it. Now, it depends on how much real life will let the ideas percolate...

Angry Fanboy · January 6 2013, 05:53 PM

Cobalt Frost wrote:

...neither of which is an "Apocalypse Now" ripoff as I've never actually seen it.

You should! It's great!

January 4 2013, 08:45 PM	#1
jespah Commodore Location: Boston, the Gateway to the Galaxy	January 2013 Challenge: Ethnicity and Culture For a future that's supposed to have peace and harmony and no one caring about race, etc., there's an awful lot of Anglo-Saxon names in Trek. Kirk, Pike, Reed, Tucker, Barclay, Riker, Chapel, Howard, anyone? But scratch the surface, and you find plenty of examples of characters practicing faith, showing off their heritage or otherwise bringing something different to the table. Everything from the Ishikawa-O'Brien wedding, to Hoshi Sato fretting over a recipe, to Chakotay's facial tattoo, to Uhura conversing in Swahili, to Kira Nerys calling on the prophets to Vulcan and Klingon rituals attest to the fact that the future is not a homogeneous melting pot of people. Hence the challenge is to show characters engaging in something that show off their ethnicity or culture, whether it be a rite, a recipe, a bit of clothing or something else. * * * * * * * * * * * * * And now, The Rules: Word limit: 10,000 words max, with a little wiggle room above. Story must be original for this month’s challenge, nothing posted here before please. All Trek genres, series and films are fair game. Original characters are fine. No crossovers, please. Only complete stories will be eligible. Post a link to your entry in this thread when you’re done. Contest to run until midnight (US Eastern Standard Time) January 31st, with voting to follow from Feb. 1st to Feb. 3rd, 2013. Any questions can be directed to me here or via PM. Have fun! __________________ Honk if you love silence http://www.jespah.com (includes fanfiction with most ratings). TU Publishing Adult Trek Anthology

January 5 2013, 12:32 AM	#2
Angry Fanboy Lieutenant Commander	Angry Fanboy Mmmmm, certainly a little different to the usual challenges that are set (and my own in particular!) I think I'll pull the USS Majestic and its crew out of mothballs and see if I can explore this challenge using them, although I must admit I'm a little stumped at the moment. I'll have a little ponder on the matter tonight! __________________ Angry Fanboy "Majestic" "Home"

January 5 2013, 01:26 AM	#3
jespah Commodore Location: Boston, the Gateway to the Galaxy	Re: January 2013 Challenge: Ethnicity and Culture Pondering makes me think of Pinky and the Brain. __________________ Honk if you love silence http://www.jespah.com (includes fanfiction with most ratings). TU Publishing Adult Trek Anthology

January 5 2013, 01:44 AM	#4
Nerys Ghemor Vice Admiral Location: Cardăsa Terăm--Nerys Ghemor	Re: January 2013 Challenge: Ethnicity and Culture You know...I might actually be able to muster up an entry for this one! We'll see, but I might be able to do it. __________________ Are you a Cardassian fan, citizen? Prove your loyalty--check out my fanfic universe, Star Trek: Sigils and Unions. Or keep the faith on my AU Cardassia, Sigils and Unions: Catacombs of Oralius!

January 5 2013, 02:54 AM	#5
Count Zero Your fluffy highness Location: Land of Awesome	Re: January 2013 Challenge: Ethnicity and Culture That's quite an interesting theme. And I believe one that we haven't had, yet. __________________ "Mama always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun. But Mama, that's where the fun is." Wanna talk all things pony? Hop over to Brony Kingdom. We have cookies!

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January 5 2013, 04:43 AM	#6
Cobalt Frost Commander Location: seduced by The Coolness in Phineas & Ferb's backyard	Re: January 2013 Challenge: Ethnicity and Culture What about someone immersing themselves in another culture, or even "going native", as they say? __________________ Damn the resonance cannons, full speed ahead!

January 5 2013, 09:32 PM	#9
Angry Fanboy Lieutenant Commander	Angry Fanboy I sorta have something worked out but it's very early days! __________________ Angry Fanboy "Majestic" "Home"

January 5 2013, 09:42 PM	#10
Count Zero Your fluffy highness Location: Land of Awesome	Re: January 2013 Challenge: Ethnicity and Culture Well, that sounds promising. __________________ "Mama always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun. But Mama, that's where the fun is." Wanna talk all things pony? Hop over to Brony Kingdom. We have cookies!

January 5 2013, 11:35 PM	#12
jespah Commodore Location: Boston, the Gateway to the Galaxy	Re: January 2013 Challenge: Ethnicity and Culture Kirk, Kurtz, hmmmmm...... __________________ Honk if you love silence http://www.jespah.com (includes fanfiction with most ratings). TU Publishing Adult Trek Anthology

January 6 2013, 12:09 AM	#13
Angry Fanboy Lieutenant Commander	Angry Fanboy All I can think of now is writing an Apocalypse now ripoff! Damn it! __________________ Angry Fanboy "Majestic" "Home"

January 6 2013, 03:22 AM	#14
Cobalt Frost Commander Location: seduced by The Coolness in Phineas & Ferb's backyard	Re: January 2013 Challenge: Ethnicity and Culture Well, I have a couple of ideas bouncing around my noggin right now, neither of which is an "Apocalypse Now" ripoff as I've never actually seen it. Now, it depends on how much real life will let the ideas percolate... __________________ Damn the resonance cannons, full speed ahead!