McCoy a racist?
- Thread starter Frontis
- Start date
I think this kind of anachronistic fault-finding had not been invented yet in 1966. Nor, indeed, had the preoccupation with possible signs of racism. In those days, most people were overtly, covertly or unconsciously racist to some degree. (I know; I had to put up with comments and jokes - oh, those assinine jokes! - that I found less than palatable from people who meant no harm and harboured no animosity.) The Star Trek series was far less racist and sexist than the cultural norm.
Are you discounting all the racist things he said while/when drunk on duty/screen?
No
No, he's no racist. Spock also makes disparaging comments about humans ALL the time. And pretty much everyone on that bridge has made fun of Spock's "vulcaness" at one time or another. So I don't know why people always let Kirk off the hook, for example. Also McCoy truly cares for Spock. There are others who may be really racist towards him, but not McCoy.
It was just as bad in the north, during the Civil War and after. And, there was a time when "racist" comments were actually a sign of endearment, as Clint Eastwood's character teaches a young man in Gran Torino. Sometimes our differences are what we want to talk about—they may be something of genuine interest—but we don't want to sound mushy or kiss-butt about it, as is the current vogue.
McCoy throws jabs as Spock and only at Spock. In turn, Spock throws jabs back at him. They have a relationship where they can say rude things to one another that they never would with anyone outside their circle. And if Spock was ever in trouble, McCoy would drop everything in a heartbeat to go help him.
Watching McCoy and Spock go at each other reminds me how friends often razz each other saying things they would never say to anyone else. But if either one were in trouble the other would drop everything to help them.
This aspect of their relationship is now nitpicked to death and over analyzed in our now hyper-sensitive times where many are on the lookout for something offensive.
This aspect of their relationship is now nitpicked to death and over analyzed in our now hyper-sensitive times where many are on the lookout for something offensive.
I think McCoy likes to tease Spock about being a Vulcan when they're getting on, and he gets infuriated with his Vulcan smugness and dispassion when they're not, but he's no more racist against Vulcans than Spock is against humans. I don't recall him being anything but respectful towards Sarek in the series, and towards other Vulcans in the movies. Plus he's always the first to jump to Spock's defence whenever anyone else accuses him of lying or other un-Vulcanlike behaviour.
I don't think he's racist. Considering that he's in the southerner in a show from the 1960s, though, it would not surprise me.
I think you’ll find very few Southern characters, who were series regulars, written as racists in the Sixties. McCoy was neither written nor performed as a racist.
Racist characters were usually the bad guy or a guest character (Hello Mr. Stiles) who learned the error of they ways.
I think there's a better case that Spock is racist.
(In light of DSC, it does make sense that Spock would react with frothing aggression to someone suggesting he grow a beard.)
Examples are lightly edited for color.
Arena said:
Mirror said:
(In light of DSC, it does make sense that Spock would react with frothing aggression to someone suggesting he grow a beard.)
The Wrath of Khan said:
Examples are lightly edited for color.
One of McCoy's best lines in the entire series was "Are you out of your Vulcan mind?"
I wonder if DeForest Kelley came up with that one, the way Jonathan Harris thought up most of Dr. Smith's insults.
I wonder if DeForest Kelley came up with that one, the way Jonathan Harris thought up most of Dr. Smith's insults.
More examples of Spock towards McCoy:
(A Private Little War)
MCCOY (smiling and happy): Spock, are you alive?
SPOCK: An illogical question, Doctor, since obviously you are hearing my voice.
MCCOY (no longer happy): Well, I don't know why I was worried. You can't kill a computer.
(Operation: Annihilate!")
KIRK: Mister Spock. Regaining eyesight would be an emotional experience for most. You, I presume, felt nothing?
SPOCK: Quite the contrary, Captain. I had a very strong reaction. My first sight was the face of Doctor McCoy bending over me.
MCCOY: 'Tis a pity your brief blindness did not increase your appreciation for beauty, Mister Spock.
I can almost hear Spock muttering "this bitch" in all of these...
(A Private Little War)
MCCOY (smiling and happy): Spock, are you alive?
SPOCK: An illogical question, Doctor, since obviously you are hearing my voice.
MCCOY (no longer happy): Well, I don't know why I was worried. You can't kill a computer.
(Operation: Annihilate!")
KIRK: Mister Spock. Regaining eyesight would be an emotional experience for most. You, I presume, felt nothing?
SPOCK: Quite the contrary, Captain. I had a very strong reaction. My first sight was the face of Doctor McCoy bending over me.
MCCOY: 'Tis a pity your brief blindness did not increase your appreciation for beauty, Mister Spock.
I can almost hear Spock muttering "this bitch" in all of these...
I think McCoy is most likely to be described as racist by someone whose first exposure to Star Trek did not come until decades after the time in which the original series was produced. Being raised in a country well removed from 1960s United States may also serve to color that impression.
I could suggest immersion in some of Star Trek's contemporary (1966- 1969) American TV programs, which may help provide context.
TOS defined what 23rd century humans act like though, at least in the 2260s.
Similar threads
