Star Trek Has it Wrong: The Great Language Debate, part II

***Before reading further, please be sure to watch the two preceding YouTube clips***

Star Trek has it wrong. Space is not the final frontier. Well, that is not exactly right. It could become the final frontier, but there is another frontier that is standing in our way: the human condition.

Reading Williams, I could not help but wonder if we would ever progress to the point where we would reach the utopian high ideals (within planet earth – not within the galaxy) that the Star Trek universe challenges all of us to aspire to.

In the Trekean future, humanity has finally managed to lay asunder their differences and face whatever unknown challenges the galaxy holds for them in complete solidarity. And isn’t that a significant part of the allure that draws us to the Star Trek universe? It is this same universal appeal that compels us to strive to achieve the highest ideals beholden unto a Democracy.

With the pervasive ‘English Only’ rhetoric that seems to have come into fashion recently, even the optimist in me has been rendered daunted and doubtful that such a feat will ever happen. Not only does this irresponsible (if not downright dangerous) position marginalize the culture of other citizens, but by doing so, this ardent position can single-handedly subvert democracy. As our history has demonstrated, we have the most to fear from those who believe their voice is not heard. A democracy that does not embrace all cultures is no longer a democracy at all.

Democracy seems to be the easiest path to a Trekean future, but diversity is perhaps the most difficult barrier we will have to overcome if we are ever to reach the high ideals of Kirk and Spock’s universe. So, when I read the argument raised by Williams on page 216 about assimilation and the socioeconomic benefits of doing so, or of the thread that binds diverse people, I violently shake my head in opposition. Subverting someone else’s culture by coercing assimilation borders on the megalomaniacal. Assimilation has its roots in jingoistic xenophobia. And fear is not a good foundation for any civilized society, let alone a democracy.

We might someday reach the high ideals Star Trek challenges us to aspire to, but it has become more and more apparent that it will require a herculean effort on our part in order to do so. Wouldn’t it be great if American democracy - a democracy rooted in cultural pluralism - became the model on how to get there?