Star Trek Voyager – PC Or Non PC? – an Odyssey Through the Universe of Political Correctness Or a Return to the Land of Racial Prejudice?

FREMDENFEINDLICHKEIT UND MEDIEN

Christina Niculescu / Yonit Nemtzeanu Star Trek Voyager – PC or non PC? – an odyssey through the universe of political correctness or a return to the land of racial prejudice?

Since Voyager has been praised as the most politically correct series ever produced, we have been tempted to question this statement. Not surprisingly we have found that this fame for political correctness was reached by connecting all non politically correct ideology to alien races only. In this article we have analysed the way this is being achieved in the case of one particular alien race. We have also discussed the implications of racist ideology in such a widely spread and highly praised series.

in the series requires closer scru- tiny concerning whether and how far Voyager conforms to or devi- ates from the former Star Trek ideology. Whilst viewing Voyager, we have discovered this depiction to conceal non-PC ideas, some less well and some more so. The- se are most striking in the presentation of the Kazon, an alien race encountered by Voyager on their way home from the other side of the galaxy, in contrast to the Na- tive Americans from our own planet. The Kazon are the only alien race depicted in detail and are therefore prominently featured. The Federation Starship Voyager has been taken to the other side of the galaxy, the Delta Quadrant, by 1.Introduction table within our societies. Films,an alien entity called the Caretak- then, both as systems of repre-er. This has also happened to a Voyager is a recent spin-off of thesentation and as narrative structu-Maqui ship. The Maqui are a well-known Star Trek series, re-res, are rich sites for ideologicalgroup of rebels who fight both the leased in 1995, and has beenanalysis.” (Turner: 1992, p. 132)Federation and the Cardassians, praised as the most politically cor- Even before Voyager, Star because they disagree with the rect (hereafter PC) of all Star Trek Trekwas known as a series go-border decided on in a peace trea- series and films. To test this claim,verned by humanist ideals: “[…]ty between the two. In the Delta we thought it useful to analyze itswe can celebrate the kind of tele-Quadrant the two ships are fored discourse, broadly understood tovision programming which willby circumstances to join forces include all communicative acts,help ensure that future generati-and become one crew. From then utterances, gestures, images,ons will not have to carry the me-on, the bridge crew of Voyager decor, and so on. Discourse ana-mories of persecution, trial, andcomprises the following officers: lysis can in turn assist us in explo-subjugation within them all their li-Captain Cathryn Janeway, Fede- ring its underlying ideology, asves. We can celebrate televisionration, female, Caucasian; Com- proposed by Turner. that is so inherently humanist.”mander Chakotay, Maqui, male, “If our narratives do work to re-(Roddenberry: 1995, p. 10) Native American (the actor is solve social contradictions symbo- Voyager topped this by havingHispanic); Lieutenant Tuvok, Fe- lically, what they must deal withall American minorities represen-deration, male, Vulcan (actor Af- are those existing political divisi-ted on the bridge in some incarna-rican American); Lieutenant ons or inequities between groups,tion or other and by casting theB’Elanna Torres, Maqui, female, classes, or gender which have be-first female captain ever. How-half Human/half Klingon (actor en constructed as natural or inevi-ever, the depiction of alien racesHispanic); Lieutenant Tom Paris,

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Maqui, male, Caucasian; Ensignthey appear in the side story. Al- The category of “Facts” com- Harry Kim, Federation, male, Asi-though the series features oneprises all statements about a char- an-American. An important role inNative American main characteracter made by someone who, due the depiction of the Kazon is play-in all episodes we have chosento the story line, appears to hold ed by Neelix, a Talaxian, who is atonly the episodes in which thisexpert authority for the viewer. home in the Delta Quadrant andcharacter and/or others refer toThis is actually a sub-category of therefore considered an expert onNative American issues and disre-Language; however, we decided the cultures of the area. The Kaz-garded all episodes in which histo treat it separately because it on encountered by Voyager be-ethnicity is not stressed. comprises most explicit state- long to three different sects: the After a detailed analysis of thements about the groups in ques- Nistrim, the Relora, and the Ogla,transcripts we identified and clas-tion, and what is being said carries and the leaders of all Kazon fac-sified the characteristics attributedmore weight for the viewer, due to tions are called Majes. One mem-to each group. We divided thethe implied expertise of the spea- ber of the Voyager crew, a Maquicharacteristics of the Kazon intoker. One of these “experts” is woman called Seska, defects tothree main categories that see-Neelix who repeatedly makes sta- med suitable for the data: primiti-tements about the Kazon, for ex- ve – inferior, savage, and crimi-ample: nal. The Native American don’t worry captain / you can characteristics constitute onecount on me to keep those nefa- main category: primitive – super-rious kazon at bay (Initiations) ior. Visual Means includes charac- In the course of the analysis weterization through body language, found that what is explicitly saidgestures, mimic, appearance, about the Kazon does not justifyimages of a character’s environ- the extremely negative impressionment, tools, weapons, etc. By the the viewer is likely to receive. Thenature of film, this category often characterstics themselves areexerts the most influence upon the hardly ever explicitly named butviewer. Unfortunately, it is also the still they are vividly present. category most difficult to describe We therefore found it neces-with precision. The producers of sary to distinguish four methodsVoyager employ this method to of portrayal,namely, Language,create a contrast between the Ka- Action, “Facts”,andVisual Me-zon and the Native Americans. ans. While the Native Americans are Portrayal through Language isshown in peaceful and idyllic natu- any direct or indirect characteriza-re settings with abundant vegetati- Foto: Byron C. Cohan tion by the use of words. An ex-on, the Kazon’s environment is aus „Star Trek Voyager“, No. 10, Feb. 1997 ample of how the Kazon are cha-barren, desert, and unfriendly. racterized by their own words:1 the Kazon Nistrim in the course ofMaje Culluh (addressing other3.The Kazon the series an henceforth plays anKazon Majes): important role in their fight with today is the day kazon childrenFrom a close analysis of the pre- Voyager. will remember for generations / to-sentation of the Kazon in Voyager day is the day we put aside our dif-we were able to determine just 2.Methods of Analysis ferences and join forces to defeathow they are pressed into the role voyager // today is the day thatof general scapegoat of the se- In order to get a detailed and ac-marks the end of the supremacyries. The categories named above curate picture of the portrayal ofof the relora (hateful) and the oglashall serve as a guide through the both the Kazon and the Nativebecause after today / we will havediverse methods used to Americans, we transcribed all dis-the federation technology and thecharacterize the Kazon. course produced by and/or refer-other sects / will run / when they ring to the Kazon and to Nativesee us (Maneuvres) 3.1.Primitive/Inferior Americans. Of the 40 episodes ofAction is composed of all char-The viewer’s first impression of the first two seasons, the Kazonsacterization achieved by showingthe Kazon is determined by their appear in seven episodes and thea protagonist’s actions and behav-looks. They are dressed like gue- Native Americans in five. Where-ior. For example the Kazon re-rilla warriors,their hair is wild as the Kazon feature prominentlypeatedly fail to answer hails, orand their faces are threatening. in all the episodes, only one epi-end transmissions in the middle ofNot once in the course of the se- sode is dedicated entirely the Na-utterances, or even open fire with-ries is a Kazon seen to smile, and tive Americans; in the other fourout reason. their body language as well as

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their tone are always extremelyfinds out that: vice transports two rival Majes of aggressive and arrogant. In con- kazon sects control this part ofanother sect into space and there- trast, all the positive alien racesthe quadrant / some have food /by kills them because they did not are white, which lends a racistsome have ore / some have waterwant to join the Nistrim in their connotation to the dark comple-/ they all trade and they all killfight against Voyager. xion. each other for it (The Caretaker II) Although the Kazon do not have an army in the traditional sense, their society is presented as militaristic simply because every Kazon male appearing in the series is a warrior; and the viewer never sees the Kazon in a domestic environment. Moreover, the language used by the Kazon is filled with word referring to death and killing. A quantitative analy- sis2of such words in the episode Initiations found significant lexical choices in Kazon discourse: “executioner” (2 times), “die”/ “death” (12), “kill” (16), “enemy” (4), “destroy” (3), “warrior”/ “figh- ter” (2), “battle” (9), “war” (2), Under Taylor’s guiding hand, Chakotay has shown that he’s not all mysti- “fight” (2). In the discourse of the cism and medicine pouches – he can be tough as nails too. non-Kazon Commander Chako- tay, we found “destroy” (1), “not When the first Kazon planet is The negative connotation of thekilling” (3), “kill” (7), “die” (1), “de- shown, the viewer is impelled towords “sect” and “faction” used toath” (1), “battle” (2). It is important agree with the reaction of Tomdescribe the political organizationto mention that he uses “kill” Paris, a Voyager crew member:of the Kazon marks their societyexclusively to refer to someone why would anyone want to liveas inferior. Also, their organizationwho wants to kill him or wants him like this! (The Caretaker II) is described as unstable: to kill someone else. Moreover, he The planet is a virtual desert,Chakotay: how many kazonis the only one in the episode who blazing hot and completely bar-sects are there? uses words that arouse positive ren; the Kazon live in a ruin with- Karr: changes every day /connotations such as: “welcome” out any “modern comforts”. Inyesterday there were eighteen(2), “saving life” (4), “son” (2), and other episodes, we are shown(Initiations) “gentle” (2). them using caves as prisons (Alli- This instability is further intensi- The Kazon values presented in ances), and booby-trapping de-fied by the fact that Kazon sectsthe series are incompatible with sert moons as training sitesare “blood enemies” (Initiations) the peaceful and humanist ide- (Initiations). and constantly fight each other:als of our modern society. While From their living conditions itNeelix: it’s certainly unusual forrespect and honor are the most follows that the Kazon are de-rival kazon sects to congregateimportant values for them as sho- prived. Similar indicators includepeacefully wn by the following quote: their desire for water and their firstJaneway: is it possible the ni- Karr: … you [refers to C] come attempt to steal a piece of tech-strim have formed an alliance withinto space / showing off your / uni- nology from Voyager: a food repli-other sects? forms and display the markings of cator. Neelix: I’ve never known theyour / federation / with no respect The Kazon ships are an envi-kazon to do anything like that be-/ as if you own this part of space / ronment as unpleasant as theirfore (Maneuvres) but it belongs to us […] (Initiati- planets. They are dark, strictly Furthermore, Kazon life is gov-ons) functional, and do not contain anyerned by political killings inside These values are based only of the embellishments known fromthe sects as well as between sec-on battle skillsand power the bright, slick Federation ships.ts. In the episode Initiations, Karr,struggles. In the episode Initiati- The only decorations found on aa young Kazon warrior, solves hisons the viewer is given an extensi- Kazon ship are skulls and otherconflict with the Maje (leader) ofve description of Kazon honor co- trophies captured from their deadhis sect by killing him and handingdes. We learn that the Kazon pre- enemies (Initiations). the power over to the next in com-fer to die rather than survive a lost From Neelix, Voyager’s expertmand. Similarly, in Maneuvers,battle. This is explained by Karr on the Delta Quadrant, the viewerMaje Culluh following Seska’s ad-after he was saved from his explo-

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ding ship by Chakotay: very effective teaching tool for theknow the kazon there’s no dealing Karr: kill me kazon (Initiations) with them / violence is all they un- C: // The fact that they also have noderstand […] the kazon will be de- Karr: please! // “human rights” concept and there-termined to seek revenge (Allian- C: why are you so eager for mefore use torture on prisoners is on-ces) to kill you? ly an extension of what has been In themselves these values Karr: // (sigh) because there areshown until now. In Initiations Karrwould not necessarily have to be worse things than being killed bytells Chakotay: judged as primitive and inferior; an enemy (Initiations) I must protect my territory / ter-however, the juxtaposition with and ritory is power (Initiations) Voyager and their noble values is Karr (to Halis): hugh // (sigh) // itThis clearly defines their so-a very powerful and effective was this fool / this / federation /ciety as imperialistic. The impor-means of showing the Kazon in a who doesn’t even have the coura-tance of owning land/space isextremely negative light without ge to kill his enemies … (Initiati- stressed on several occasions. Inhaving to do so explicitly. Since ons) the same episode Haliz tells Cha-this juxtaposition occurs every There it is an honor to be killedkotay: time Voyager and the Kazon by an enemy: unfortunately our territorialmeet, sometimes through the Karr: … and this bracelet be-claims change every day / mapssimple showing of their respective longed to the man who killed mydo not serve us well … (Initiati- ships, we have chosen one exam- brother / my brother / jalle kannel /ons) ple to illustrate this effect. who earned his ogla name by dy- while Karr stresses that: Karr: you won’t stop me from ing bravely in battle …(Initia- no one who violates ogla spaceearning my name / federation tions) leaves (Initiations) Chakotay: not federation / Cha- This quote also shows thatAnother way to hint at Kazonkotay (shouts) / that’s my name young Kazon earn their name andimperialism is the frequent use ofKarr: did you have to earn it? thereby their identity only throughthe word “control” to define their Chakotay: / no / not exactly battle, either by killing their enemyterritorial claims. In this context,Karr: then your name means or by dying bravely. Accordinglythe word “control” has the connot-nothing the more enemies one kills theation of an imposed rule. How- Chakotay: / my name was a gift greater the honor he deserves. ever, not even their imperialism isfrom my tribe / I cherish it / every- Karr (to C): (laughs) // you seepresented as the trait of an advan-day of my life // just as I cherish / this / this is debris from a frigate /ced culture, since they use phra-the federation uniform.. […] the man you’re demanding to seeses like “displaying their markings Chakotay: your name / my uni- destroyed it / killing more than ain our space” which is clearly ta-form / not much difference / we hundred in a single shot / beforeken out of the animal world. both have to earn them that his name was only rah / now As a logical consequence ofKarr: / what did you have to do he’s called jalle razik … (Initiati- their values, the Kazon are alsoto earn your uniform ons) revengeful. They used to be en- Chakotay: study // years of stu- Since being a warrior is theslaved by the Trabe until theydy / learning / about science / and noblest quality for a Kazon, thedrove the Trabe away in a rebel-ships / and navigation education of their boys is aimed atlion. However, according to the Karr: (condescending) I suppo- developing battle skills from anTrabe leader Maves this was notse they don’t expect you to prove early age. This leads to a total ab-enough, the Kazon have con-your battle skills sence of modern childhood cul-tinuously attacked the Trabe Chakotay: no / they’ve prepa- ture: children go through dange-whenever they tried to settle on ared us to defend ourselves in batt- rous trainings with live ammuniti-new homeworld: le / they’ve prepared us very well / on, they are ready to kill, are notChakotay (to Maves): it hap-and we had to pass many difficult allowed to be children, have topened over thirty years ago / andtests before we were given the watch killings (even of theirthe kazon are still trying to punishright to wear the uniform friends) in order to learn and haveyou Karr: you’re saying that my na- to pay with their lives for their Maves: remarkable isn’t it //me and your uniform mean the sa- mistakes. Consequently the Ka-most of the trabe who’ve persecu-me thing / I but you’re wrong zon grow up without the notionted the kazon are either dead or Chakotay: why // what’s so dif- that life is valuable. This is demon-old men by now / most of us wereferent about us / aside from the strated by the fact that they do notchildren when the uprising occur-fact that I keep saving your life hesitate to kill when it serves theirred / and our children are innocentand you keep threatening to kill interests, that they practice suici-/ but the kazon’s desire for reven-me de bombings and use live ammu-ge / is as strong as ever (Allian- Karr: I must protect my territory nition for training purposes: ces) / territory is power Neelix: live ammunition is a Maves (to Janeway): you don’tChakotay: let me tell you some-

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thing / I’ve no interest in your terri-his name by killing Chakotay. Bywomen from your quadrant / you tory or anybody else’s // my peo-Karr’s standards he did everythingknow she [Seska] contradicts me ple taught me a man doesn’t ownright, he attacked Chakotay,in front of the senior o’skar / my land / he doesn’t own anything butfought bravely and was ready toown woman / disputing her maje the courage and the loyalty in hisdie when his ship exploded, how-in front of others / this is your fault heart / that’s where my powerever the Federation’s superior/ you let your women get out of comes from […] (Initiations). technology, namely the transpor-control (Basics I). Here, the militaristic values ofter, enabled Chakotay to save Contrary to the explicit depic- the Kazon clash with humanisticKarr’s life. This has put Karr in thetion of the Kazon’s violence, values of the Federation. For Karrposition of a coward when he waschauvinism, and revengefulness nothing can be earned withoutnot. His society did not provide ru-Voyager’s superiority is presented battle, while Chakotay emphasiz-les for being saved in the last mi-in a more subtle manner, a point es the importance of learning innute by a transporter since theywhich reinforces the negative ima- his society; for him battle skills arehad never encounterecl one be-ge of the other. The first aspect of only useful as a defense. In thisfore. Consequently Karr would ha-this issue is the Kazon’s inferior case this is not just a juxtapositionve to become an outcast in histechnology. In the encounters bet- between the Kazon and the Fede-own society and die without aween Voyager and the Kazon the ration but also one between thename. Through Chakotay’s influ-viewer is presented with two cont- Kazon, as a primitive people, andence Karr learns that there areradicting messages. On the one Chakotay as a representative ofsecond chances in battle after allhand, the Kazon pose a threat to the Native Americans, a peopleand turns against his own leaderVoyager, on the other hand, the formerly wrongly regarded asand kills him in the end. reason why the Kazon repeatedly primitive. Now the Native Ameri- Throughout the series the Ka-attack Voyager is their wish to can is presented as noble in con-zon society is portrayed as ex-steal Voyager’s superior technolo- formity with political correctness,tremely patriarchal and chauvi-gy. Clearly, this dual representati- while the Kazon, being part of anistic. The relationships betweenon is intended to keep up suspen- fictional race, is depicted as primi-the Kazon are characterized byse and at the same time to provide tive and savage. The Kazon de-strong and exclusively male bon-the scriptwriters with a rich story rives his power from ownership ofding.The viewer is never shown asource. Still, the superiority of territory, the Native American, ho-Kazon woman and therefore hisVoyager’s technology is emphasi- wever, derives his from spiritualimpression is based only on thezed far more than the Kazon’s po- values like “courage” and “loyalty”.ways Kazon males talk abouttential to harm Voyager. As a con- Karr repeatedly tries to kill Cha-women, which compels him to usesequence the viewer again gets kotay, but the latter refrains fromhis own values as a reference andthe clear impression that the Kaz- revenge and instead saves Karr’sevaluate the Kazon negatively.on are inferior. life on more than one occasion.The offending way in which the The gap between the two cul- Unlike Chakotay’s name, which isKazon speak about and to womentures is highlighted by Kazon’s a gift from his tribe, Karr’s namedoes not correspond to the politi-child-like admiration for Voyager’s has to be earned in battle by killingcally correct ideas of our society:technology. When explaining to or being killed. Therefore Karr Maje Culluh: I could not let theanother Kazon leader why they calls Chakotay “Federation” in or-negotiations be dictated by a wo-should try to take over Voyager, der to show that Chakotay doesman (Alliances) Maje Culluh says: not deserve his name. Maje Culluh: a woman / and a there is a ship filled with new Rituals play an important role intrabe / how can we listen to them?technology /devices that can ma- the Kazon’s society. As discussed(Allliances) ke food / water even weapons ap- earlier, they earn their name in Maje Culluh: I am the leader ofpear out of thin air // a computer battle; the punishment for failure isthis sect / you are only a womansystem that uses neural tissue public humiliation and execution;(Maneuvers) that can react twice as fast as ours they adorn their ships with tro- Maje Culluh (to J after hitting(Maneuvers) phies captured from their deadher): you’ll be given no more res- The Voyager crew refers to enemies; and they worship Kazonpect than any kazon woman / nowthese devices as replicators, fighters who died in battle. Theythat your ship and technology aretransporters, and neuro gelpacks. even have a drink called “ene-mine / I will tell you when you mayFurthermore, the Kazon refer to mies’ blood”. speak (Basics I) Voyager technology as “amazing” Being a ritualistic society, the The viewer’s already negative(Initiations), “superior” (State of Kazons’ life is deeply affected byopinion of the Kazon is intensifiedFlux), “unique” (State of Flux),and the encounter with a technologi-by the way the Kazon explicitly“powerful” (The Caretaker II)while cally superior culture like the Fe-disapprove of the Federation’stheir terms for their own technolo- deration. At the beginning of In- ways of treating women: gy have an outdated ring to them: itiations, Karr is sent out to earn Maje Culluh: what is it with the“towing emitter”, “hangar” (Ma-

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neuvers) etc. These terms seemvalues of the two societies. Thisthe conditions we establish (Alli- old fashioned to somebody whocontrast is most strikingly illustra-ances) has watched Star Trek, and drawted when in State of Flux Voyager Of course, it is taken for gran- a vivid contrast with the corre-saves the life of a Kazon who wasted that Voyager will honor their sponding Federation terminology.injured in the attempt to use tech-part of the alliance. Upon the fail- After all, the terms used by the Ka-nology stolen from Voyager, buture of the alliance, Janeway voi- zon belong to the past from theMaje Culluh kills him in order to si-ces her true opinion: point of view of the 24th century.lence him. So, the crew of Voya- Janeway: culluh / I’ve found the The inferiority of the Kazonger is willing to save the life of aidea of an alliance with you dista- technology is illustrated also bythief and enemy because their in-steful (Alliances) their incompetence in dealing withtrinsic respect for life forbids them On the other hand, when she Voyager’s technology. When theyto do otherwise. By contrast, themeets the Trabe (white, elegant, tried to integrate some stolenKazon decide to kill their own sectand sophisticated), she is more technology into their systems theymember for tactical reasons. Thethan willing to form an alliance only managed to get themselvesviewer is compelled to draw thewith them since: killed: conclusion that the Kazon’s re- Janeway: I’ve found the goals B’Elanna: of all the things to diespect for life is negligible, since weof the trabe to be compatible with for // (shakes her head) it’s a foodare not given the faintest motiveour own / I represent an organiza- replicator / or at least it was tryingfor the Kazon’s deed. In the Star tion which is devoted to peaceful to be Trektradition, this may be a first:coexistence among people the Janeway: (sigh) we may takeeven the fiercest alien enemy istrabe want nothing more than that replicators for granted / but imagi-given at least enough of a motive(Alliances) ne what it would mean to a cultureto make it difficult for the viewer to Suddenly, the fact that the that doesn’t have this technologypass an easy judgment. Trabe had kept the Kazon in slav- B’Elanna: somebody aboard Apart from acts, there are alsoery for centuries becomes irrele- voyager gave them what theya number of direct verbal referen-vant and Janeway refrains from needed / I guess / they just didn’tces to the Kazon’s inferior moralmoral judgement. The last quote know what to do with it (State of values. They are said not to beon this issue sums up Voyager’s, Flux) trustworthy: and by identification the viewer’s, An additional implication of this Janeway: nothing we’ve beenopinion about the Kazon: example is the superficially under-through with the kazon would lead Janeway (to Maje Culluh): you standing and yet condescendingme to believe they are trustworthyknow / I’m really easy to get along way in which B’Elanna refers to/ I can’t imagine making a dealwith most of the time / but I don’t the Kazon’s willingness to die for awith them (Alliances) like bullies and I don’t like threats / food replicator. The Kazon come From Voyager’s point of viewand I don’t like you culluh (stands closer to being worthy enemiesthey are outlaws: up) you can try and stop us from only when Seska, a Voyager crew Janeway: Oh / how can Igetting to the truth but I promise member, defects to them and hel-consider it I can’t just walk awayyou / if you do / I will respond with ps them in their fight againstfrom the precepts starfleet hasall the ‘unique’ technologies at my Voyager. In Maneuvers, Neelix,laid out for us / you don’t deal withcommand / (janeway out) (State the resident Kazon expert, pointsoutlaws [...] (Alliances) of Flux) out: In this quote Janeway refers to I’ve never seen the kazon doa possible alliance between Voya-3.2.Savage anything like this before ger and the Kazon. She initially re-In the Delta Quadrant, the Kazon Tuvok: until now / the kazonjects such an alliance on the basishave a reputation for violence have never had an adviser withof the Kazon’s incompatible moralwhich is spread by local “experts”, cardassian, maqui and starfleetvalues.When she does attemptand the writers of the series ensu- technical experience (Maneuvres) the alliance after all, she makesre that every appearance of the It is implied throughout the se-clear what it means to her: Kazon confirms and justifies this ries that the Kazon are too primi- Janeway: you can’t have it bothreputation. In Alliances, Maves, a tive to figure out by themselvesways commander / if you wannaleader of the Trabe, describes the how Federation technology works.get in the mud with the kazon youKazon: Ironically, Seska is a woman andcan’t start complaining that you […] I was told they were violent manipulates Maje Culluh while hemight get dirty (Alliances) and dangerous / and had to be is convinced that he is using her,During the negotiations, shekept isolated so they wouldn’t get and that a woman cannot manipu-stresses that Voyager and the Ka-loose / and kill us / which is exact- late a Kazon man. zon are not equal partners: ly / what they did […] (Alliances) The second aspect of Voya- Janeway: we’d like to make su- you don’t know the kazon the- ger’s superiority is concerned withre the nistrim will also be an ho-re’s no dealing with them / violen- the contrast between the moralnorable ally / that you’ll adhere toce is all they understand (Allian-

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ces) dozen more have sustained se-veral of our group have been ta- Neelix warns Voyager that: rious injuries / this ship has takenken for questioning but / so far no- the kazon nistrim is one of theso much damage we’ll be lucky tone of them’ve come back […] most violent sects in the entire ka-get warp drive back on line again /Neelix: the kazon won’t be sa- zon collective (State of Flux) and we can count on the fact thattisfied until you’ve all been annihi- As discussed above, the factthe kazon will be back // (turns tolated (Alliances) that the Kazon constantly kill eachleave the room) I don’t think we Maves: […] the kazon have re- other as well as others is inherentcan afford to keep doing businessfused to allow us to find a new ho- to their society and values. Sinceas usual (Alliances) me world / every time we try to they enjoy violence, it can be safe- Hogan: now that the kazon ha-settle somewhere / they attack ly said that they are also cruel.ve stepped up their attacks a lot ofand drive us away (Alliances) The use of torture is widely spreadpeople think we’ll not make it outThrough Neelix the viewer among the Kazon. We can dedu-of here alive […] (Alliances) learns the Talaxian opinion on the ce how cruel they are from the The Kazon’s use of war termi-Kazon: horrible sight of those who under-nology in reference to Voyager a talaxian convoy would never went Kazon torture. Furthermore,demonstrates their threatening at-let the kazon know where they are the words “execution” and “totitudes: that would be like committing sui- execute” are constant com- Culluh: […] today is the day wecide (Investigations) panions of Kazon appearances.put aside our differences and join In the pilot of the series the To complete their savage ima-forces to defeat voyager […] (Alli- Caretaker explains to Janeway ge they are also depicted as belli-ances). why he is so intent on destroying gerent. They repeatedly open fire Other terms which appear fre-his technology before he dies: and start fights although they arequently are: “take voyager”, “beatthe self / destruct program has not threatened or in danger. Theythem” , “waging war” , “enemy”,been damaged / now this installa- never opt for a peaceful solutionand “seize voyager”. The Voyagertion will not / be destroyed / but it even if it is offered to them: crew is well aware of this threatmust be / the kazon must not be Chakotay (to the Kazon vesseland consequently uses terms likeallowed to gain control of it / they through the com. system): […]“armada” and “raiders” to refer towill / annihilate the okampa (The why have you fired on me? Kazon ships. The viewer’s impres-Caretaker II) Karr (on screen): you are on ka-sion of the Kazon threat towards This portrayal of the Kazon as a zon ogla space federation Voyager is reinforced by explicitthreat to everybody, including Chakotay: I wasn’t aware ofstatements like: themselves, is a perfect illustra- that / I have no hostile intentions /Janeway: the only thing the ka-tion of the ridiculous way in which power down your weapons and I’llzon agree on now is that we areYoyager’s writers exaggerate the leave their common enemy (Alliances) negative aspects of a single Karr: no one who violates ogla Janeway: my gut / tells me wegroup. The danger lies with the ra- space leaves simply don’t have any friendscist message conveyed to the vie- Chakotay: look son / my stars-among the kazon (Alliancs) wer by such gross simplifications. hip is only a few light years away Janeway’s impression is en- Karr: I am not your son federati-dorsed by Haliz’s warning to Cha-3.3.Criminal on / I’m your executioner (Initia- kotay: To add insult to injury the Kazon tions) your uniform may yet decorateare attributed some other charac- Janeway: Jaban, can’t we dis-our wall (Initiations) teristics through which the viewer cuss this like two civiliz ~ Voyager’s worst fears are see-feels impelled to regard them as Jaban: (ends transmission) mingly fulfilled when at the end ofcriminals. Tuvok: they’re powering upthe series’ second season the Ka- The Kazon constantly attempt their weapons zon conquer the ship, take ever-to steal technology, which is ap- Janeway: I guess we can’tybody prisoner, and banish thempealing to them, from Voyager [battle starts] (The Caretaker II) to a barren and unfriendly planet.and other races of the quadrant: As a direct consequence of the While the Kazon threat to Voya- Chakotay (to Neelix on screen): above mentioned traits the Kazonger is presented visually, thewhat are you doing on a kazon pose a threat to both Voyager andthreat to other races of the quad-ship? all other races in the quadrant.rant is only testified by “experts”.Neelix: they’re trabe vessels The following examples illustrateThe following examples illustrateactually / everything the kazon ha- how the fierce attacks againstthe Kazon’s attitude towards theve / they stole from the trabe (Alli- Voyager affect the ship as well asTrabe: ances) the crew: Neelix: why are they holding Tuvok: the kazon have beamed Chakotay: captain / this was theyou? away captain and they’ve taken 4th attack in two weeks / we’ve Maves: they seem to be detai-one of our transporter modules lost three crewmen to the kazon aning anyone who isn’t kazon // se-with them […] (Maneuvres)

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Janeway (to Maje Culluh onpanion / veeery impressive but be-4.1.Primitive/Superior screen): I remind you culluh / thatfore I make an enemy of these fe-Their appearance suggests com- transporter module you just stolederations I want proof that you ha-plete gentleness and peaceful- is specifically designed for ourve their command codes (Maneu- ness: their faces, their clothes ship / you’ll never be able to inte-vers) (both in cut and color), and their grate it in your systems (Maneu- Culluh clearly does not haverefusal to bear weapons. Their vers) the command codes and the view-gestures are ritualistic too, but un- They have no scruples to stealer is aware of that. Later, whenlike the Kazon’s, they are slow, even technology that is vital to theVoyager attacks to free one ofgentle, friendly, and trust-inspir- race they are stealing it from, witn-their crew members who is helding, and so is their body language ess their intentions to steal thecaptive by Culluh, Culluh explainsAll this is reinforced by the sooth- Okampa’s water. Even the voca-his failure to take control of Voya-ing celestial music that accom- bulary used by the Kazon in thisger with another lie: panies all the appearances on context is reminiscent of the un- it’s taking longer that I thoughtscreen. The Sky Spirits, who are derworld: to interface with their systems /presented as their ancestors, ha- we can divide the spoils (Ma- you must order your ships to pro-ve their faces made up in white. In neuvers) vide cover (Maneuvers) the episode Tatoo, a Native Ame- One of their methods to achie- After a violent exchange of in-rican myth is proven correct. A ve their criminal goals is by de-sults, Sorrat finally understandsNative American tribe called “Rub- ceit. They constantly try to decei-that his suspicions were justified:ber Tree People” have always be- ve those they consider enemies I don’t think you ever had thoselieved that: (everybody who owns somethingcommand codes / I think you’re a Chakotay: sky spirits from abo- the Kazon want and do not justliar (Maneuvres) ve / created the first / rubber peo- hand it over) and to set traps for ple in their own image / and led them. In Initiations the Kazon pre-4.The Native Americansthe way to a sacred land where tend to help Voyager find a mis- the rubber people would live for sing crew member, but actuallyWe have chosen the presentationeternity (Tatoo) they only try to trap them. In Ba- of the Native Americans as a con- In this episode Voyager en- sics I, they use a suicide bombertrast to the presentation of the Ka-counters this people who confirm who poses as a refugee in order tozon because of its obvious confor-the myth: make Voyager vulnerable to theirmity with PC ideology. While the Sky Spirit: forty-five thousand attacks. Moreover, in the same episode, they use Seska’s new- born baby as a bait to lure Voya- ger into a certain part of their territory and thereby gain a tactical ad- vantage. The deceitfulness of the Kazon is endorsed by the presentation of the way in which they deal with each other. The fact that they are depicted as suspicious even of each other leaves no doubt for the viewer as to their untrustworthi- ness. We have already remarked that Kazon sects are blood enemies and have not been known to congregate peacefully. When they do try to strike an alliance in order to defeat their common enemy, they constantly lie to each other, and each suspects the other of ly- years ago on our first visit to your ing: Kazon are the general scapegoatworld we met a small group of Sorrat: […] culluh / but whatof the series, the Native Ameri-nomadic hunters they had no spo- makes you think voyager won’tcans are the personification ofken language no culture except use this technology to defeat us?virtue. As mentioned in section 2.the use of fire and stone weapons Culluh: because I have voya-Methods of Analysis,the analysisbut they did have a respect for the ger’s command codes of the Native Americanland and for other living creatures Sorrat: I have heard what youcharacteristics will focus on thisthat impressed us deeply / we de- did to the relora maje and his com-contrast. cided to give them an inheritance /

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a genetic bonding so they mightsing to the land when they use itsabout other societies and that is thrive and protect your world / onresources. For example: why I’ve allowed you to read about subsequent visits we found thatChakotay’s father: it’s said thethem / because I believe that ig- our genetic gift brought about asky spirits honored the land abovenorance is our greatest enemy spirit of curiosity and adventureall else // maybe it’s because this[…] (Tatoo) that impelled them to migrate fromland / yields so many differentThe Native American’s nobility the cold climate to a new unpeop-kinds of life / maybe / they’ve wan-is probably the most striking con- led land it took them almost ated us to become friends withtrast to the values of the Kazon. thousand generations to crosseverything in nature / including theAlthough their respective histories your planet / hundreds of thou-bugs (Tatoo) are presented as similar, their re- sands of them flourished in thatAs a consequence, they res-action is different. While the Kaz- new land their civilization had apect and love life in all its forms.on became revengeful and still profound influence on others ofWhen Chakotay talks about ani-chase the Trabe after thirty years, your species but then / new peo-mal guides, which offer spiritualthe Native Americans have just ple came / with weapons and di-guidance, he stresses that all ani-become more forgiving and huma- sease // the inheritors who survi-mals are equally valuable as gui-ne: ved scattered many sought refugedes regardless of their shape, si- Chakotay: how do you take a in other societies twelve generati-ze, and gender. In the followingchild into your heart who is forced ons ago when we returned we fo-example, ironically, it is Captainupon you / by a mother’s decep- und no sign of their existenceJaneway who assumes that thetion? (Tatoo) animal guide of a man must be The spirit of Chakotay’s father: In this quote the Native Ameri-male: // he knows nothing of deception // cans are presented as “the cho- Janeway: but he guides youhe is innocent // centuries ago sen people” whose superiority iswell when the women of our tribe / we- ensured biologically by the gene- Chakotay: actually it’s female /re raped by white conquerors / tic gift they received from the Skybut yes / she usually guides memany gave birth to their children / Spirits. very well (The Cloud) and we did not reject them / they On the one hand, they con- Another illustration is the factwere accepted by the tribe / one sciously avoid using modern tech-that the spirit of Chakotay’s fatherwas a direct ancestor of ours / nology but on the other hand,believes that every child is a cau-chakotay / his name / was saji ak- through this they are better equip-se for celebration, no matter whattul / he became a great leader of ped to deal with situations inthe circumstances of its birth areour people here is a man who is which this technology cannot be(Basics I). given life without his mother’s used. For example, when the The Native Americans’ respectconsent / are you so different from Voyager crew inadvertently landsfor and open-mindedness abouther? / is your child so different on the gravesite of an unknownother culturesis emphasizedfrom saji aktul? culture and, for ethical reasons,throughout the series. Chakotay is Chakotay: // no they decide not to use their tech-the only one who insists on turning The spirit of Chakotay’s father nology for investigation, Chakotayall scientific equipment off when(nods and smiles): hm / he is your is the only one who is able to drawthey realize they are on the grave-son chakotay / and he is a child of conclusions just from a visual as-site of an unknown culture. Heour people (Basics I) sessment. stresses the importance of res- To make the Kazon children’s To a large extent, Native Ameri-pecting every culture’s beliefs nofirst impression of a human a good can values are presented as thematter what they are. If, as is theone, Chakotay tells them: exact opposite of Kazon valuescase here, one does not know You won’t see any hate in my and as the embodiment of the hu-anything about the culture, everyeyes / I’m a gentle man / from a manist ideals of our modern so-potentially desecrating actiongentle people / who wish you no ciety – to be precise, they are ashould be refrained from. Theharm (Initiations) touch above the developments ofmost interesting aspect about this To make the contrast perfect our century. While the Kazon deri-instance is not so much that hethe children’s reaction is to reach ve respect and honor from killinghas this idea, but that his argu-for the gun the moment they are and violence, Native Americansment wins over Star Trek’sprover-asked to kill him. This gentleness derive them from the “couragebial scientific curiosity, which pro-is also emphasized by the choice and loyalty” (Initiations) in theirves the writers aim toward politicalof words when Native Americans hearts. As opposed to the Kazon,correctness. An additional aspectspeak about their traditions and Native Americans do not believeof their openmindedness is illus-when they perform rituals: in owning land as a source of po-trated by their attitude towards Chakotay: and concentrate on wer, and have a deep respect forlearning: the stone / akutschimoja we are nature which they express, among Chakotay’s father: […] I knowfar from the sacred places of our other things, with a ritualized bles-that / you’ve always been curiousgrandfathers / we are far from the

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bones of our people / and perhaps Chakotay: // we talk to animals /Native American, are evaluated there is one powerful being / who’llit’s a native american tradition according to the values and tech- embrace this woman and give her Janeway: animals?! nical standards of the Federation, the answers she seeks / allow Chakotay: our own counselors /the culture with which the viewer your eyes to close / breath to feelwe’re taught that an animal guideidentifies most. Thereby the vie- the light in your belly / and let it ex-accompanies us through life / ba-wer feels that he himself belongs pand / until the light is everywheresically it’s what karl jung inventedto the superior culture. The Fede- / prepare yourself to leave thiswhen he came up with this activeration arbitrarily chooses to see room and this ship / and return toimagination technique in nineteenthe Kazon as primitive and there- a place where you were the mostthirty-two / but we’ve been doingby inferior and the Native Ameri- content and peaceful / you havepretty much the same thing forcans as primitive and thereby su- ever been […] (The Cloud) centuries (The Cloud) perior. The viewer is left with no Here we find an abundance ofThe scientific legitimation ischoice but to comply with these positively marked words and ex-reinforced by the inclusion of theirmoral judgments. pressions like: “embrace”, “al-healing rituals in the Starfleet me- In light of the current debate on low your eyes to close”, “light”,dical reference data bank. In Ca- political correctness in the USA, “content”, “peaceful”. The ef-thexis, when Voyager’s technolo-we can only conclude that this fect is enhanced by the gentle per-gy fails to provide solutions forchoice is strongly related to the suasive tone Chakotay uses andtheir problem, Chakotay’s spiritfact that Native Americans repre- by Janeway’s vision, while sear-saves the ship with the help of asent a recognized respected ching for her animal guide, whichtraditional medicine wheel. Other, and have a pressure group includes the sound of ocean wa- in Hollywood, while the Kazon ves and seagulls. 5.The Racist being a fictive culture do not. The The Native American society isImplications of the Kazonstriking difference between the also portrayed as ritualistic, butand Native American exclusively positive characteris- unlike the Kazon their rituals canPresentation tics of Native Americans and the be fully integrated in the science exclusively negative characteris- based world of the Federation andAccording to Wetherell and Potter,tics of the Kazon enhances the their rituals are directed towardsracist discourse not only explicitlyracist undertones in the presenta- the search for guidance and spirit-mentions the inferiority of a certaintion of the latter. In the entire se- ual well-being. The fact that Cha-group, but “has the effect of cate- ries only the Native Americans en- kotay performs rituals for guid-gorizing, allocating, and discrimi- joy the privilege of speaking their ance on a number of occasions isnating between certain groups” own language (the language of presented as part of his normal lifeand also “justifies, sustains, and the one tribe presented in the se- as a crew member. Rituals do notlegitimates those practices which ries) even though their appearan- disturb his life among a scientifi-maintain the power and dominan- ces are both rarer and shorter cally advanced culture and neitherce” of the group in power. (Potterthan the Kazon’s, who are only gi- does the technology around himand Whetherell: 1987, p. 70) Asven the opportunity to use one affect his spiritual life – more so,we have shown above, the dis-word in the “Kazon language”. since other crew members show acourse on and by the Kazon is As in most racist literature in genuine interest in these ritualshardly ever explicitly racist buthuman history, in Voyager it is the and even share them. The Cap-becomes implicitly racistmore powerful culture that deci- tain’s curiosity about these ritualsthrough the combination of thedes what counts as a civilization and her willingness to participateexclusively negative depictionas well as who is civilized and who adds a lot of weight to their inteof the Kazon as criminals andis not, with the implication that tho- ,ration in the ship’s everyday lifesavages with their characteriza-se who are not need to be refor- as well as to their legitimacy astion as primitive. med for their own good, and if they useful rituals: The primitive aspect of the Kaz-resist, they are treated accor- Kim: turning in for the night /on culture is perceived negativelydingly. The Kazon are repeatedly captain? by the viewer in the context of thepresented as non-reformable. For Janeway: actually I’m gonnaother negative characteristics gi-example, when Voyager meets talk to an animal / and then turn inven to the Kazon. This is best de-the Trabe, the former enslavers of / something commander Chako-monstrated by the fact that whilethe Kazon, they prefer to strike an tay taught me / it’s supposed to bethe Native Americans are to a lar-alliance with them assuming that quite therapeutic / you may wannage extent also presented as primi-such an evolved culture as the ask him about it (The Cloud) tive, in their case the viewer per-Trabe must have changed. The These rituals are not presentedceives this as positive because ofKazon, however, are not even as primitive beliefs, but as scien-their many other qualities. To ma-granted the benefit of the doubt. tifically proved methods of medici-ke matters worse, throughout theThe treatment of the Kazon by the ne and psychology: series both cultures, Kazon andTrabe is presented as follows:

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Maves: they lived in restrictedStar Trek products. To the viewerParamount TV research have fo- areas that children weren’t allo-they too are heroes. The Kazonund that Star Trek audience “in- wed to go near // I didn’t know theyon the other hand, are completelycludes more high-income college- lived in poverty / in filth // I didn’tabsent from the wide number ofeducated viewers (as well as mo- know they were persecuted by theVoyager products, which is a clearre men) than the average TV trabe police // I was told they wereindication that viewer identificationshow.” (Zoglin: 1994, p. 81). violent and dangerous / and hadhas not taken place and is not in-Moreover, Trekkies do not just re- to be kept isolated so they would-tended. vere their heroes from afar but n’t get loose / and kill us which is It is said that Star Trekis basedhold conventions at the rate of exactly / what they did / but weon the idea that: “To be different is more than 200 a year. “The clien- brought it on ourselves / the trabenot necessarily to be ugly; to have tele [at these conventions] is more treated them like animals / fenceda different idea is not necessarily likely to be middle aged couples them in encouraged them to fightto be wrong. The worst thing that with Kids in tow than computer ge- among themselves so they would-could happen is for everyone to eks sporting Vulcan ears.”(Zoglin: n’t turn on us (Alliances) look and think and act alike. For if l 994,p. 81 ) Many fans regard In contrast, the viewer is toldwe cannot learn to appreciate the Star Trek as an educational tool. that: small variations between our own Elaine Koste, an attendant at one Neelix: before the uprising thekind here on earth, then God help of the conventions, is quoted to trabe were known as a highlyus when we get out into space have said: evolved species / they producedand meet the variations that are “I use Star Trek as a tool to scholars and artists who were wi-almost certainly out there.” (Rod-educate my daughter [...]. It’s dely admired and their technologydenberry: 1995, p. 10) good for her to see the characters was among the finest in the qua- Obviously, the presentation ofdeal with other races and teach drant (Alliances) the Kazon does not fit into this pic-good values.”(Zoglin: 1994, p. It is on the basis of the latter de-ture. Unfortunately, the viewer will82). scription that Voyager’s captainnot simply reach the conclusion As our analysis shows this is decides that: that such a perfect world is notnot the only thing her daughter I’ve found the goals of the trabepossible, but that some cultureswould learn from Voyager. to be compatible with our own / Ido not fit in it and can therefore be The unique position of Star represent an organization which ispresented and treated accor-Trekis also mirrored by the fact devoted to peaceful coexistencedingly. that its fans integrate Star Trek among people the trabe want no- ideology in their political convic- thing more than that (Alliances) 6.The Social Relevancetions. The fan who was selected Given the information the cap- as a jury member in the Whitewa- tain has on the Trabe one is for-“The laws of Star Trek are totally ter trial and went there wearing a ced to wonder how she reachedfictional but are held by the fans Star Trek uniform, is not simply a the conclusion that an alliancewith such reverence that they ha- lunatic but somebody who wanted with the Trabe is preferable to oneve to be followed as if they were to make a “[…] public statement with the Kazon. This only beco-Newton’s, says Bennan. You ha- about what Star Trek’s philosophy mes clear if the underlyingve to treat them very carefully, be- might offer to America.” (Jenkins: assumption is that only primitivecause there are people who for 25 1996, p. 24). criminals cannot be reformed. years have considered them Having all this in view, the pre- Of course, a TV series, in ordersacred.”(Zoglin: 1994, p. 83) sentation of racist ideology to the to be successful, needs negative Considering the racist implicati-viewer alongside humanist princi- characters who pose a threat toons we have found in Voyager,ples is bound to have an effect, the positive ones in order to crea-this can be quite a frighteningespecially because fans will not te suspense. However, the otherthought. Of course, every seriesimmediately notice the change. Star Trek series have successfullyhas its devoted fans and someThe viewer is so entrapped in demonstrated that the negativetake things more seriously thanthe seemingly politically cor- presentation of a villain need notothers. However, Star Trek hasrect atmosphere of Voyager be racist. All other villains in thebeen described as “[…] the most that he/she cannot consciously history of Star Trek either appearenduring and all-embracing pop- realize the underlying racism. only once or are sooner or laterculture phenomenon of our time.” An additional difficulty in recogni- endowed with some positive quali-(Zoglin: 1994, p. 80). There havezing the implications of the Kazon ties in their own system of valuesbeen four separate series andrepresentation is presented by the which is thereby validated. There-eight movies based on the Star way the individual aspects are fore, these villain cultures haveTrek idea and these have run for aspread evenly over several episo- earned the respect of the viewer,total of 30 years, have been vie-des and by the non-explicit which is shown by the fact thatwed in 75 countries with a weeklycharacterization. However, the they are included in the range ofaudience of more than 20 million.general idea will al most certainly

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remain with the viewer as a deep-Potter, Jonathan and Maragaret Wetherell; lying message. Discourse and Social Psychology; Lon- don; 1987

Roddenberry, Majel Barrett; “The Legacy of ‚Star Trek‘”; in The Humanist; USA; July/August 1995 Notes: Schenz, Viola; Political Correctness: Eine 1)The transcription without using any ca- Bewegung erobert Amerika; Frankfurt pital letters. / indicates a short pause;// am Main; 1994 indicates a long pause; […] indicates an omission in the quote. Stage directionsTurner, Graeme; Film as Social Practice; and interpretations of tone, pitch, etc. London, New York; 1992 are in brackets ( ). Words stressed by the characters are in bold type. Williams, Jeffrey (ed.); PC Wars; Rout- ledge, 1995 2)cf. Wodak: 1996. Wodak, Ruth; Disorders of Discourse; New Bibliography: York, London; 1996 Cameron, Deborah; Verbal Hygiene; Rout-Zoglin, Richard; “Treking Onward”; in ledge, 1995 Fish, Stanley; There’s no Time; USA; November 28, 1994 such Thing as Free Speech; USA, 1994 Gates, Henry Louis Jr.; Loose Canons: Notes on the Culture Wars, USA, 1992Christina Niculescu und Yonit Giroux, Henry; Border Crossings; Rout-Nemtzeanu sind Studentinnen der ledge, 1992 Anglistik und Rumänistik an der Hughes, Robert; Political Correctness oder die Kunst, sich selbst das Denken zuUniversität Wien. Frau Niculescu verbieten; Knaur; 1995 schreibt derzeit eine Diplomarbeit Friedman, Marilyn and Jan Narveson; Poli-zum Thema „Native American Di- tical Correctness: For and Against;scourse“, und Frau Nemtzeanu USA, 1995 verfaßt ihre Diplomarbeit mit dem Jenkins, Henry; “The Politics of Fandom”;Titel, „Political Discourse in the in Harper’s Magazine; USA; June 1996 Middle East“. Minh-ha, Trinth T.; Woman Native Other; USA; 1989

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