Star Trek and History: Race-ing toward a White Future

by Daniel Bernardi

Star Trek is an enduring icon in American popular culture. For many viewers, the science fiction series represents the bold exploration of the unknown and the humanistic respect of the foreign and the alien. In fact, it is Star Trek's vision of a utopian future where humans no longer engage in racism, sexism, capitalism, among other "-isms" that many fans claim is the main reason for their loyalty. But is the visionary Trek future world truly colorblind?

Star Trek and History traces the shifting and reforming meaning of race articulated throughout the Star Trek television series, feature films, and fan community. Daniel Bernardi investigates and politicizes the presentation of race in Star Trek in the original series of the 1960s, the feature films and television spin-offs of the 1980s and 1990s, and the current fan community on the Internet. Through both critical and historical analysis, the book proposes a method of studying the framing of race in popular film and television that integrates sociology, critical theory, and cultural studies.

Bernardi examines the representational and narrative functions of race in Star Trek and explores how the meaning of race in the science fiction series has been facilitated or constrained by creative and network decision-making, by genre, by intertextuality, and by fans. He interprets how the changing social and political movements of the times have influenced the production and meaning of Trek texts and the ways in which the ongoing series negotiated and reflected these turbulent histories. Most significantly, Bernardi tells us why is it important for readers to better understand the articulation of race in this enduring icon of American popular culture.

Genres: Star Trek, Nonfiction, Film

264 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1998

Reviews

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting points are made about race, gender and sexuality in Bernardi's thesis. However, it is brief and the points have been made elsewhere.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author raises interesting points and makes me wonder where he studied and who his dissertation advisor was. Clearly there is a major political axe to grind which is a shame because it takes away from a worthy read. My dissertation was in political science and I feel like a particle physicist after reading this diatribe ie completely objective and without any contextual biases on hypothesis generation and theory making.

He concluded mentioning the need to rewrite history and touches upon the Borg as a species.. He would need the Borg to carry out his presumably cultural and "racial" project..

At least he had fun writing it.. At least I hope he did.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another overfed term paper. Not bad though, someone had to tackle this subject. What's up with the Ferengi already?
The analysis could be better but even raising the questions of race in Star Trek will get the average trekkie with good politics thinking the show over.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Critical race theory...of STAR TREK! Woo!

[Marcello Tarot · Rating 2 out of 5]

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