Far Beyond the Stars

[Smiley]

This episode has always felt important and powerful, but it resonates for me even more strongly today. Far Beyond the Stars depicts racism in the 1950's, but the message to treat each person as a person is far more universal. Do we support the status quo or do harm to some groups just because it is easy and convenient? Do we have people that we are prejudiced or biased against that needs to be reexamined?

Beyond the messages, the episode also has some fun from the period and seeing the actors out of their usual makeup and costumes. Brock Peters was a treasure, and he is brilliant in FBTS.

 

[marlboro]

You might be interested in checking out the novelization of this episode by Steven Barnes. I haven't read it but it is highly regarded by many fans.

https://www.amazon.com/Far-Beyond-Stars-Star-Trek-ebook/dp/B000FC0OAO

 

[Kilana2]

I'm currently reading it. It is different from the episode with flashbacks in time featuring Benny Russell.

 

[Nakita Akita]

This episode has always felt important and powerful, but it resonates for me even more strongly today. Far Beyond the Stars depicts racism in the 1950's, but the message to treat each person as a person is far more universal. Do we support the status quo or do harm to some groups just because it is easy and convenient? Do we have people that we are prejudiced or biased against that needs to be reexamined?

Beyond the messages, the episode also has some fun from the period and seeing the actors out of their usual makeup and costumes. Brock Peters was a treasure, and he is brilliant in FBTS.

I wonder if humans will ever not be biased.
I see it all if the time.
Sadly I even sometimes find myself biased.
I'm biased against many drug users.
Not always, but often.
My BF who is Japanese often feels and I see it too, people acting stupid towards him.
I see some stuff towards me because people can't tell what I am. Some people think I'm white others think I'm part black some people think I'm middle eastern or South American.
I used to think that bias would go away but it seems to have gotten worse.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

I wonder if humans will ever not be biased.

We can only hope there is, but with the surge of right wing extremism, racism and xenophobia that's gripped much of the world right now then it looks further away than ever. "Far Beyond the Stars" is always an episode that is going to carry weight, not just for highlighting racial discrimination but can also be an allegory for those that face bigotry and abuse for their sex, gender, religion, orientation, etc.