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Worst stereotype in Trek...

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I wanna backtrack just a bit...
about Rappaport playing the role of Fajo.

So they were gonna have Data kill a midget? (or dwarf or little person or other term).

I assume the script was written and already featured that showdown at the end, where Data must kill Fajo with the disruptor. Why would they then choose a little person in casting? Or it doesn't make a difference?

Wow you're kind of showing your own prejudices there.

Little people can be just as greedy, fat and with big nosed as any Jew.


No no, I wasn't thinking of any discussion of Jews or noses or greed or any of that.

I was only thinking of that final showdown with Fajo, when Data is going to shoot him pointblank. That image of Data killing a midget in cold-blood (as it were)-- Why? Or is it, why not?

If that was the dramatic climax between Fajo and Data, where Data must commit pre-meditated murder against an unarmed man... they wanted to cast a little person in that role? Why or why not?

Or is it a stereotype prejudice to think evil unarmed little midget people shouldn't be seen getting gunned down as well as anyone else?

Didn't mean to get anyone's knickers in a twist, just wanted to lightheartedly point out that an actor or character's height shouldn't have anything to do with how we feel about them being shot. This comment "Little people can be just as greedy, fat and with big nosed as any Jew." was meant to be ironic, condeming prejudice while at the same time displaying a different kind of prejudice.
 
. . . I just got that one scene stuck in my craw, Data shooting an unarmed Fajo. All things aside, it's an image of a guy shooting an unarmed midget.

“You've attacked an innocent dwarf.”

73FoulPlay31.jpg
 
And, do you seriously think yours there is the meaning intended
Now to be honest, the episode first aired eighteen years before I was born, and we're all people of our times, so yes I might be seeing the line through those eyes. However I still believe that the line is a statement concerning relationships, and not gender restrictions.

While we're on this, does it occur to anyone that we've never seen a female Federation President? We've seen three, two in movies, one on DS9. And another was referred to on a readout during Enterprise. All four were male.

Another misogynist stereotype?

:)
 
I woud say its Kivas Fajo.

Ther essential greedy Jew stereotype.

Kivas_Fajo.jpg

Interestingly, Kivas Fajo wasn't jewish though. And the part was originally going to go to David Rappaport, but he attempted suicide during filming. Saul Rubinneck (pictured above) happened to be attempting to arrange a set visit at the time and was offered the part.

Anything of the part that you see as invoking the "greedy Jew sterotype" can probably be traced to the actor himself... who is jewish.

I guess I will put a thrid choice for the above......:)
 
Keep in mind Fajo wasn't just some unarmed midget, he was also a cold-blooded murderer.
 
While we're on this, does it occur to anyone that we've never seen a female Federation President? We've seen three, two in movies, one on DS9. And another was referred to on a readout during Enterprise. All four were male.

Another misogynist stereotype?

:)

Treklit fixed that one with Nanietta Bacco. Though that is certainly questionable. Especially when you consider that some Trek societies are probably matriarchal in their biases and would have a preponderance of their leaders being women!
 
While we're on this, does it occur to anyone that we've never seen a female Federation President? We've seen three, two in movies, one on DS9. And another was referred to on a readout during Enterprise. All four were male.

Another misogynist stereotype?

:)

No, not really. It suffers from an insufficient sample size.
 
Trek has been pretty good where women have been concerned. The first female captain seen on screen (TVH) was also African-American. A minority (in the 1980's) and the overlooked gender doing what was still considered a "man's job".
 
The scenes aboard the Saratoga were really well done.

Agreed,

There was a real hero quality to the ship, much like the Enteprise. In the past most other ships have been portrayed as having incompetent crew and a useless captain. In these scenes everyone remained calm and did the best they could in a crisis.
 
For what it's worth....

Most characters in a tv series, novel, whatever...most characters start out as stereotypes. There's no malciousness intended. A character must have certain traits or "tags" in order for the reader/viewer to identify them from other characters. If the series is lucky enough to get funding to continue, those stereotypes drop off to give way to character development. Usually the only characters not to have stereotypical traits are the protagonist/antagonists because they are the focus of the story and their development is what the tale is all about.

Most minor characters do suffer some stereotypical characteristics. It's necessary for plot development. And most people don't know about this because, well, curriculum in the U.S. has pretty much elimiated Creative Writing because, well, I'm not sure why because its a lot of fun to do and two, there are barely any more stories on television that are stories...mostly everything is reality. And try as you might, reality has no plot line. So, no, you guys wouldn't know this stuff because you were robbed of a full education.

By the way, I never viewed Rubinek's performance as being Jewish? What is a Jewish performance anyway??? I thought he a kick ass job and deserved an Emmy for it.

And I never saw Ferengi as being Jewish because I don't view Jewish people as being stingy. So I have to ask the question: Is the prejudice you see in the series based on your prejudices or what is actually written there?

There's my two cents. Continue your whining...I'm going to bed.
 
The only Jewish thing about the Ferengi is that Quark is played by a Jewish actor...

I see the Ferengi as being a parody of commerce in general. The Ferengi rules of acquisition pretty much depicts the often nonsensical business legalaties in modern corporations. The Grand Nagus is essentially a corporate CEO and the obsession that some people have with trying to learn how successful people got to where they are is depicted by Ferengi paying to have an audience with the Nagus.

Latinum, the Ferengis favoured form of currency is a parody of gold. If you offer someone a bar of gold or a pile of cash they are more likely to be attracted to the bar of gold. Why? Perhaps it's down to the importance we place upon material assets. The same goes for the Ferengi, they like stuff they can physically show off as a means to define their wealth. Quark has made it clear on a few occasions that he'd rather handle business with latinum than any virtual form of currency.

Finally the Ferengi practically swear by dishonest business practises and this is yet another parody of commerce. It's considered failure for a Ferengi to not be dishonest and ruthless in business.
 
Anyone who thinks the Ferengi are a stereotype should watch "Treachery, Faith and the Great River." That is the best depiction of real Ferengi business practice I've ever seen.
 
The Ferengi were packrats more than anything else. It was all about having the most stuff. When you think about it, it's surprising Kivas Fajo wasn't a Ferengi.
 
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