Since the day Star Trek first came to our television screens it has been heralded for its approach to race relations. Depicting a future where people of all races could work together in peace and harmony, combined with great storytelling, resonated with many viewers and could have contributed to its success and longevity. But it's all a lie. Despite the praise, Star Trek storytelling has traditionally taken a unique approach in portraying how our good friends in Star Fleet practice tolerance and understanding with non-human races. It should be noted that Star Trek's Federation has engaged in wars with The Romulans, Klingons, Kzinti, Sheliak, Dominion, Borg, Cardassians and Tzenkethi in less than 300 years of fictional history. They fight with everyone and anyone, and you have to wonder whether there's a fundamental reason behind the perpetual conflict. It turns out there are in fact several. Today, we look at the bizarre way the various cultures in Star Trek perceive and treat each other and why they may be affecting the almost constant state of conflict in the Star Trek universe.
4. It Is Wholly Acceptable To Insult Someone Based On Their Planet Of Origin
Over the course of the Original Series, 1 cartoon and 7 movies Dr. McCoy frequently berates Spock for having pointy ears, green blood or simply, not being human enough. Despite being referred to as a pointy eared hobgoblin, (Bread and Circuses), You green blooded inhuman (Star Trek II) and That pointy eared son of a bitch, (Star Trek III,) Spock remains remarkably cool about it. Perhaps hes contemplating the millions hell be able to extract from Starfleet when he sues Captain Kirk for encouraging a hostile work environment and the planet of gorgeous green women hes going to buy. It is easy to excuse Bones for his casual bigotry since hes from the south and he tends to smile when he says something crazy, but hes not unique in Star Trek canon.
You can say pretty much anything about anybody if they arent from your planet in virtually any social or professional setting and have no major comeuppance.