Spoilers Star Trek: Discovery 2x01 - "Brother"

[Tim Thomason]

How the hell is that racist?

In American culture, there has been a fairly large backlash regarding hairstyles towards women (and men) of African descent straightening their hair or making it more "European" for decades. Malcolm X, I believe, talked about this sort of thing.

I don't think the show was making any kind of statement on the matter. I just think Burnham adopted a Vulcan hairstyle when she was more involved in Vulcan, and now has a more natural hairstyle, because she's expressing herself more freely.

As for racism, I was taken aback when I thought Connolly said he was qualified because he was better than his Asian roommate. Turns out he said "Caitian roommate", which I guess is still racist, but fictional racism.

 

[Nyotarules]

How the hell is that racist?

My point is made

 

[Tuskin38]

My point is made

No it isn't.

 

[Nyotarules]

I don't think the show was making any kind of statement on the matter. I just think Burnham adopted a Vulcan hairstyle when she was more involved in Vulcan, and now has a more natural hairstyle, because she's expressing herself more freel

Based on real life racial, cultural politics, there is nothing non Vulcan about a Vulcan with brown skin having wavy or curly hair. Its a shame Tuvok's wife wore that ridiculous wig but it was the late 20th century TV.

 

[Noname Given]

Sounds like they were in contact with Starfleet, just too far out to make it back in time and ordered to continue its five-year mission. They should be able to just download the specs and start replicating, er uh... fabricating the new uniforms at any time. Why Pike decided to toss on an "old uniform" is beyond me. And why he used to wear turtlenecks, and Kirk's crew will also wear the same turtlenecks in 8 years is a mystery never to be solved.

^^^
You assume that TOS - "Where No Man Has Gone Before" (which wasn't the first TOS episode aired on TV) took place the same year as the rest of TOS S1? (Although lets face it, it had to take place after Pike reliquished Command, so yeah, even these 'new' uniforms don't really fit either. Still I'm will to just say "Where No Man Has Gone Before " is anachronistic; and believe Kirk and Co. were wearing the uniforms Pike has now in the actual adventure - and the Computer generated 'log' of the episode we all saw had a Computer glitch WRT the visuals. )

[And yeah, I saw TOS tirst brun on NBC in 1969 at age 6, so I'm used to shoehorning in YATIs)

 

[GhostLoveScore]

I am curious why Burnham is in a TOS miniskirt uniform later on. I guess we'll find out.

Where did you see that picture?

 

[Tuskin38]

Where did you see that picture?

It's in a couple of the trailers. I personally don't think it's a TOS uniform.

 

[Nyotarules]

No it isn't.

You will get it next time you watch tv or go to work and all humans of Asian or European descent are expected to perm their hair or wear afro weaves to be considered acceptable.

 

[MarsWeeps]

Mitich is still on the show, she's just playing a different character now.

Wow...I had no idea. Hope she stays.

 

[Hythlodeus]

Idk, honestly, give young Burnham a traditional Vulcan bowl cut and it is racist, give her a natural hairdo and the purists go mad. Whatever the decision, someone would have felt offended, because that'the time we live in.
That said, we had young Burnham with bowl cut AND with natural hair over the last 16 episodes, the best of both worlds so both sides could be happy. One would think that solution works, but as it seems, compromises are a no-go too

 

[Hythlodeus]

You will get it next time you watch tv or go to work and all humans of Asian or European descent are expected to perm their hair or wear afro weaves to be considered acceptable.

I remember the 80s, actually

 

[Burning Hearts of Qo'nos]

No it isn't.

It is depending on how you feel people should understand and react to racism. 'Can you explain why that is racist? I am curious and would like to expand my knowledge of the subject in an honest and genuine way,' is a an example of a good reaction. "How the hell is that racist?" is a bit of a more heated reaction, and kind of places the speaker in a position of defense (in this case, of racism) which might not necessarily be the intent, but can come off as so when it comes to touchy subjects. But on the flip side, returning with fire only furthers unfriendly discourse. For the record, I don't think Tuskin38 is racist by any means, but unintended meaning in phrasing can have unexpected consequences. We should just try to learn from each other.

 

[MvRojo]

Where did you see that picture?

It's in a couple of the trailers. I personally don't think it's a TOS uniform.

Yeah, it look more like a coat.

 

[Tuskin38]

It is depending on how you feel people should understand and react to racism. 'Can you explain why that is racist? I am curious and would like to expand my knowledge of the subject in an honest and genuine way,' is a an example of a good reaction. "How the hell is that racist?" is a bit of a more heated reaction, and kind of places the speaker in a position of defense (in this case, of racism) which might not necessarily be the intent, but can come off as so when it comes to touchy subjects. But on the flip side, returning with fire only furthers unfriendly discourse. For the record, I don't think Tuskin38 is racist by any means, but unintended meaning in phrasing can have unexpected consequences. We should just try to learn from each other.

I overreacted

 

[Jackson_Roykirk]

As for racism, I was taken aback when I thought Connolly said he was qualified because he was better than his Asian roommate. Turns out he said "Caitian roommate", which I guess is still racist, but fictional racism.

Well, Connolly was acting like a bit of an ass most of the time, so maybe his character was also racist.

 

[Tim Thomason]

Based on real life racial, cultural politics, there is nothing non Vulcan about a Vulcan with brown skin having wavy or curly hair. Its a shame Tuvok's wife wore that ridiculous wig but it was the late 20th century TV.

I'm not really qualified to discuss this sort of stuff, but I feel that Burnham's bowl cut during her years with Sarek's family was the same as her Vulcan attitude on display in the 2249 flashback - an attempt to fit in and be something she's not. She, perhaps, is the one who instigated the hairstyle change, as I can't see Amanda or even Sarek forcing it on her.

The show is showing us that this was a mistake, and she has grown naturally into a more well-rounded person throughout Season 1. And her hair, while cut short, is natural now.

 

[Shon T'Hara]

Still. You're talking about Spock going from this:

To this:

And then to this:

Not exactly linear.

Skepticism is warranted.

Though, visual reboot.. for those who have accepted that.

What's the problem? He went from this ...

... to this ...

... to this.

And that last change took place in fifteen minutes of screentime.

 

[WarpFactorZ]

And that last change took place in fifteen minutes of screentime.

Vulcan warp shuttles are renowned for their efficient barbers.

 

[Tim Thomason]

What's the problem? He went from this ...

... to this ...

... to this.

And that last change took place in fifteen minutes of screentime.

And that's over a five-year period. Kohlinahr was tough on the guy.

 

[CorporalClegg]

The TNG solution would have been to have Geordi and Data sitting in a conference room talking about remodulating the deflector array by reversing polarity through the phase inducers to emit an inverse particle beam, reducing the force of gravity and mass, and thereby allowing a modified tractor beam to deflect the asteroid just enough so that it stays out of the gravimetric sheer of the pulsar.

Are they tetryons?
Or polarons?
Or oh-come-ons?