Open-mindedness at YouTube

• “The New Evangelicals and the Inevitability of Homosexual Accommodation” by Jeremy N. Thomas
• “‘Westernizing’ the Galaxy: Klingon ‘Otherness’ as Affirming Human Superiority in Star Trek: The Next Generation” by Melissa J. Stacer

Thomas’ article because woah, “the inevitability of homosexual accommodation” just invites a reading.

Stacer’s paper because holy shit! Trekkies in academia! How awesome would it be to be able to spend research time on analyzing the world of Star Trek: TNG?!

Abstract of Stacer’s paper:

This project contends that the idea of “Westernizing” is implicated in the science fiction universe of Star Trek. Europeans once explored the earth and attempted to civilize the barbaric peoples they encountered, and I contend that the Star Trek universe portrays humans exploring space and attempting to accomplish this same task with alien species. This project explores how the human species as portrayed in Star Trek represents the hegemonic voice of White America, a representation of the natural and normal to which other species, specifically the aggressive Klingons, are contrasted and viewed as inferior. Klingons represent the human revulsion against the barbaric “Other,” typified by characteristics that humans have already overcome. I utilize Hall’s (1997) theoretical frameworks and themes around which representations of racial differences cluster to examine how Klingons and humans are portrayed in this supposed future utopia. I also employ work by Dyer, whose wrote [sic] that the inclusion of minority groups in media is essential because their inclusion is necessary in order to define and clarify characteristics of whites. These frameworks allow a critical examination of Star Trek’s portrayal of humans and Klingons as well as helping to illustrate what this present day cultural phenomenon may be indicating about current societal relations. [Source: allacademic.com]

Relatedly: “Should Feminists Be Cyborgs?” by Blauwkamp and Krassas

Abstract: Building on Donna Haraway’s cyborg manifesto, we analyze cyborg exemplars from science fiction to assess the potential of cyborgs to challenge sexist dualisms along with the logics and practices of domination that spring from them. [Source: allacademic.com]

I stepped out of the house yesterday and as I was walking around the corner, I saw the bus driving away. It was about five minutes early and as we were having a quiz first-thing in class, I was not able to walk to campus in time. I drove my car and was only able to find metered parking.

Unfortunately, I did not make it out in time to put more money in the meter. When this happens, you get a parking ticket:

Luckily, this did not dampen my day. I just had to wait for the rest of my classes to that for me. I love school!

In my Sociology of Religions in Amerika class later that morning, we had a guest speaker talk to us about her religion, Baha’i. She gave us business cards proclaiming: “ONE Loving Creator ONE Unfolding Religion ONE Human Family: The Baha’i Faith”. On the back it states:

Baha’is are dedicated to:
Adoration of One God and the Reconciliation of all Major Religions;
Appreciation of the Diversity and Nobility of the Human Family and the Elimination of All Prejudice;
Establishment of World Peace, Equality of Women and Men, and Universal Education;
Cooperation between Science and Religion and the Individuals’ Search for Truth;
Spreading Hope, Joy, and a Positive Vision of Humanity’s Future.

The best quotes I took from our speaker are: “Religious instruction is progressive…”, “Religion without science is just superstition…”, and “We believe in evolution, but evolution due to a Creator”.

But the best is a snippet from their website. One principle is the “… recognition that true religion is in harmony with reason and the pursuit of scientific knowledge”.

I am all about diversity, eliminating prejudice, attaining equality between the sexes*, and quality education for all who want it; however, I do not believe we need a god in order to reach these lofty goals. I also see the goal of having everybody believe in only ONE god/faith as next to impossible. In addition, when she mentioned their hope of ONE universal language (that being English, of course) I knew it was time to tune out.

Religion mixing with reason and science, indeed!

* It is rare to find such equality-driven monotheistic religions who are willing to proclaim, quoted from the founder nonetheless: “Women and men have been and will always be equal in the sight of God,” said Bahá’u'lláh. Read more of what they proclaim.