Science fiction television and films are often imagined worlds with advanced technologies and societies. They offer a platform for exploring social issues and ideas that may not be possible in the real world. As these worlds are imagined, there is no reason for black and ethnic minority people not to be included in these stories.
There has been some progress in recent years in terms of the visibility of black and ethnic minority characters in science fiction television and films. However, there is still much room for improvement. In many cases, these characters are tokenistic and their stories are often underdeveloped.
One example of this is the character of Zoe Saldana’s Uhura in the 2009 film Star Trek. While her character was an important part of the team, her story was limited to that of a love interest. There was no exploration of her backstory or what she brought to the team.
In television, the science fiction show “Black Mirror” has been praised for its diverse cast of characters. These include a black male protagonist, a Middle Eastern woman who is a scientist, and an Asian man who is a hacker. However, while these characters are well-written and developed, they are in the minority.
Sleepy Hollow and Minority Report had black actors in lead roles unfortunately, neither show lasted long. Sleepy Hollow actress Nicole Beharie felt compelled to leave the show following bad treatment on set during a time when she was very ill.
Black Lightning is a series based on the DC Comics character of the same name. The series is about a father who returns from retirement to become a superhero once again. The depiction of Jefferson Pierce and his family in Black Lightning is great. It shows what a regular family looks like as they talk through their issues, support each other and kick butt with their superpowers.
The recent reboot of the sci-fi drama The CW 4400 series was welcomed by many black people who have been clamouring to see themselves in their favourite genre of shows. On screen and behind the scenes the series has black representation and deliberately set out to tell the story from a black perspective. In fact, The CW has been leading the way with sci-fi shows with black leads such as Batwoman and Naomi.
One reason for the lack of diversity in science fiction television and films is that they are often written and directed by white people. This can lead to a lack of understanding and empathy towards black and ethnic minority characters.
In order to improve the representation of black and ethnic minority people in science fiction television and films, we need more diversity in terms of those who create these stories. We also need more allies within the industry to push for better representation.
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