Comic Book Resources have published a piece on what they call the non-binary alien trope.

While we don't disagree with their wanting better representation in sci-fi, we do take issue with their implicit assumption of human superiority.

The non-binary alien trope is problematic towards real-life non-binary people because it dehumanizes them and suggests that the only way a person could be non-binary is if they are non-human.

This is racist and calls to mind a scene from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.

CHEKOV: We do believe all planets have a sovereign claim to inalienable human rights.

AZETBUR: Inalien... If only you could hear yourselves? 'Human rights.' Why the very name is racist. The Federation is no more than a 'homo sapiens' only club.

Checkov likely didn't intend any offence.

Language doesn't always offer the perfect means to express a thought and by our present-day standards "inalienable" and "human rights" fit the bill.

Realistically those terms would fall into disuse in a multi-species federation but they serve to demonstrate current, real-world shortcomings.

Another franchise this brings to mind is Doctor Who.

Their tragic recent decent into racism may be rooted in an unquestioned assumption of human superiority.

Which as we noted is very at odds with the standards of earlier seasons.

Standards of equality, kindness and respect now narrowly applied only to human or human-appearing characters.

If you truly value equality then alien cannot be treated as lesser.

[ Main Image: Star Trek The Next Generation - The Outcast. Credit: Paramount via IMDb.com. ]

References

Chakotaya.net. Transcript for Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. (viewed March 21, 2022)

Watson, Averie (March 20, 2022). Here's Why the Non-Binary Alien Trope is Problematic. Comic Book Resources.