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Posts tagged: race
Thanks to @ThePurplePagefor pointing this article out.
Natasha C. Brooks skillfully argues that the current narratives around minorities in the sciences are heavily burdened with backward looking themes that can prevent the self- actualization of individuals, with the disturbing potential of stagnating the sciences as a whole.
In this week’s #BlerdChat, we’ll delve into the issue of narrative as it relates to the themes outlined by Natasha C. Brooks.
Does the current focus on past minority disempowerment in the sciences reinforce this problem?
Does the intense attention paid to disparities prevent us viewing the full spectrum of participation? Brooks points to the focus on minority health disparities to the detriment of health successes to make this point.
Does the highlighting of minority science prodigies who have “beaten the odds” reinforce the toxic assumption that minority participation in the sciences is abnormal or freakish?
To be clear, neither Natasha C. Brooks or I contend that the actual fact that barriers have and continued to exist should be ignored. The real bone of contention is how we tell these stories and to what effect.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
When I sat down for my epic DS9 rewatch earlier this year, this is the episode that really signaled, for me, the elevation of Deep Space Nine beyond Star Trek and into science fiction’s upper reaches.
It reminds me a bit of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman, which exists almost as a vessel for the seemingly infinite variety of stories Gaiman wanted to tell. With “Far Beyond the Stars,” Deep Space Nine became a show that could provide a snapshot of the workaday world of pulp fiction’s pioneers, offer an incisive commentary on science fiction’s troublesome history with race and racism, dramatize the struggle at the heart of the human condition: to be more than you seem to be. To be better while the world around you is happy to see you be worse.
All while still being a show with Cardassians and photon torpedoes and hot, slug-bearing women.
i will always. reblog. this gifset.
ALWAYS.
where is this from and where can I watch it
by
What movie is this from???
This is no movie — it’s an episode of DS9.
http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Far_Beyond_the_Stars_(episode)
Realest fucking episode in the entire series.
Because that shit STILL goes on today….
The best episode.
I’ve had people try to argue that DS9 “isn’t really Star Trek,” because they think it was just a war story. If that’s all they see, they are so, so wrong.
I’m on vacation this week so I’ve lined up a number of other bloggers and readers to give their thoughts on the world I cover. Today I have post from Natasha Townsel who, as you will see, describes her self as a “huge” Superman fan. Today Natasha give her thoughts on a recent issue of Action comics. It is a terrific piece so please give it a read.
I am a huge Superman fan. No, let’s get something clear: I am a HUGE Superman fan. I collect comics, memorabilia, DVDs of now-defunct Superman TV series, and any and all Superman movies, both live action and animated. I love Clark Kent because of who he is, not because of what he can do. The fact that Clark possesses all those powers, yet remains an incredibly humble man from the Midwest who just wants to do the best he can to help moves me deeply. I love that his entire purpose is for us as humans to use the abilities that we were born with to benefit humanity. The ultimate theme of this character is hope, not revenge, fear, or hubris. Clark believes the best in humans because he was raised by two of humanity’s best representatives. He believes in second chances (and third and fourth) and that there is good in everyone. He believes that all life is precious and
will do everything he can to preserve it. Superman is the ideal representation of humanity and inspires us to be our best possible selves.
“It’s not invulnerability or flight or heat vision or super speed that makes him the World’s Greatest Hero. It’s that Superman refuses to despair. He is a testament to the opposite, in fact. Superman is hope.” (Adventures of Superman #640)
Comics Editor Carol writes about the Yellow Peril vampire, Fire Fang, as part of her contribution to the Mysterious Order of the Skeleton Suit’s Secret Santa Exchange:
Fire Fang is the total yellow peril package. He has the long nails, the Ming the Merciless collar, and if he were in color, he would be, as Jules Feiffer says, “the color of ripe lemons.”* Lemon yellow or no, he continues the tradition of villains such as Fu Manchu or Li H’sen Chang from the Doctor Who episode, “The Talons of Weng Chiang.” Mostly, Fire Fang is not so much a Chinese vampire as a Chinese vampire played by Christopher Lee. It’s not a stretch for Lee since he has played Fu Manchu.
Nothing is difficult. Everything is a challenge. Through adversity. To the stars. From the last plane. To the last bullet. To the last minute. To the last man. We fight!
Catch the trailer after the jump.
Random as hell: I could’ve been a paid extra in this, and now that…
This week at the Gutter, Guest Star Robert Mitchell writes about Shaft-Director Gordon Parks life and career outside Blaxploitation in his article, “Soldier of Cinema.”
Cartoonist Tim Jackson has a meticulous and amazing Salute to Pioneering Cartoonists of Color, including an index of creators, strips and characters as well as galleries of single panel comics, dailies, editorial and sports cartoons spanning the 1920s through the 1960s. Make sure to check out Jackson’s work while you’re there. (via Out Of The World)
