Star Trek Lower Decks: The Hypothetical Impact of a Confederate Victory
Star Trek Lower Decks: The Hypothetical Impact of a Confederate Victory
Star Trek Lower Decks, a popular animated series that cynical viewers often joke about as a product of Hollywood's weasel words, actually touches on a profound and relevant question: 'What if the Confederacy won the War for Southern Independence?'
The War between Patriots and Slave-Owners
Far from being a mere weasel-worded phrase, the War between Southern Patriots and slave-owning Traitors reflects a deep-seated inequality and injustice. The concept of 'War for Southern Independence' is often twisted to obscure the harsh reality that the Confederacy was fighting to preserve the institution of slavery. This conflict was not just a struggle for freedom but a battle to maintain and legalize the ownership of human beings, a paradigm that humanity has fortunately left behind.
The Northern Patriots, led by those who believed in freedom and equality, should not have merely arrested or imprisoned every slave-owning traitor. Instead, their actions would have sent a clear message that slavery is fundamentally wrong and must be eradicated. This would have paved the way for a more equitable society, free from the shackles of past injustices.
Star Trek: Lower Decks and Its Message
One might wonder, 'What does Star Trek: Lower Decks, a space-comedy series, have to do with slave-owning traitors?' The answer lies in the show's portrayal of the crew and their efforts to combat injustice. Just as the Northern Patriots fought against the evil of slavery, the junior officers in Star Trek Lower Decks are rebels in their own right, standing against the injustices within their starship and their universe. They embody a modern fight against inequality and oppression, making it clear that such behavior, whether in the 19th-century South or the 24th-century Alpha Quadrant, is morally reprehensible.
The show's dynamics, especially the relationship between Captain Carol Freeman and her daughter Ensign Beckett Mariner, illustrate a world where any form of slavery would be considered a heinous act. Beckett, a rebellious and impulsive officer, would not be treated as 3/5 of a human being, no matter the outcome of such a hypothetical war. This is a stark contrast to a potential Confederacy victory, where a future filled with white male cis-gendered dominance would be a dystopian nightmare.
The Impact on Today's World
Jumping to our present time, the ethical and moral lessons from Star Trek Lower Decks resonate in today's world. The fight for equality, justice, and the eradication of oppression is far from over. From ongoing struggles for racial equality, gender rights, and LGBTQIA rights, the principles highlighted in the show are more relevant than ever.
True democracy would lead to true populism, rather than Dictator Democracy. The authoritarian impulses that might arise from a Confederate victory would only serve to undermine the principles of freedom and equality. Instead, a true democracy, built on the foundation of equal participation and rights, would avoid the pitfalls of populism and dictatorship.
The future we strive for is one where every individual is recognized as a full and equal member of society, regardless of their background, race, or gender. Whether it's seen in the halls of government or in the ranks of a starship, the fight against injustice and oppression must continue.
Star Trek Lower Decks serves as a reminder of this crucial message, making the hypothetical scenario of a Confederate victory not just a historical curiosity but a call to action.