Native Americans and Star Trek...

[C.E. Evans]

I kind of figured that the farther one got from the core Federation worlds, the more things were rough & tumble. Even though some may believe the Federation is a post-scarcity society, it itself may be scarce at its farthest reaches due to it being stretched out more thinly. That's likely especially true for Starfleet, where its presence may be almost nonexistent in the more remote regions, with maybe only one lonely starship covering multiple sectors...

 

[comsol]

I read that Mike Grell (the artist who designed/co-created Tyroc) made him as silly looking as possible on purpose because he hated the stereotypical "angry black man" characterization/powers and the racism ingrained in his backstory.

Not only that, but Grell had wanted to introduce black characters earlier on when he took over the LSH art duties, but the editor, who apparently was the source of the racism, wouldn't let him do that.

 

[dupersuper]

None of that points to dystopia.

Another poster said dystopia, I just said depressing. So few writers seem to know how to do aspirational any more...

 

[fireproof78]

None of that points to dystopia. Humans are always going to be humans. The Federation made one decision based bad information provided by enemy manipulation, which they immediately reversed the moment the truth came out. The Data thing is just nonsense. Despite your over exaggerated description of Raffi's living sitution, in a true dystopia a person like you just described would be living on the streets begging for scraps. Her having a pretty snazzy place to live in front of a historical landmark with no worries about where her next meal is coming from or whether she'll have shelter over her head is far from dystopian. Her living situation in season 1 is entirely her choice, not a situation forced upon her by society. As for what happened to what's his name, Seven's friend, the first season of TNG was far more violent and graphic in the episode Conspiracy, and nobody cried "dystopia". I'm beginning to wonder if some Star Trek fans actually know what that word actually means.

It means anything that isn't uplifting or promises happily ever after, rather than acknowledging that sometimes being happy requires effort and overcoming obstacles.