Intolerance in the world

Die-hard Star Trek fans may recall watching the episode “Stigma” on Star Trek: Enterprise sometime during the 2nd season. It discussed discrimination in a way that related to HIV/AIDS, as part of Viacom’s HIV campaign.

This article isn’t just about Star Trek; it’s mostly about intolerance, and its unacceptability in the moral sense.

The episode “Stigma” reveals that Subcommander T’Pol has been inflicted with an unfortunate disease, “Pa’nar Syndrome”, which leads to a deterioration of the synaptic pathways (as well as endocrine and immune systems). This potentially deadly disease is transmitted by an “elite” minority of Vulcans: mind-melders. The viewer learns that, at the time, at least, mind-melding was an “intimate” practice highly rejected by most of Vulcan society. Since its transmission was limited to those who were capable of performing mind-melds, very little priority was given to its research or a cure by the Vulcans.

Already we see the parallels. A deterioration of the body, spread by a minority of the population through an “intimate” practice. Little priority given to its cure since it did not affect the majority of the population.

Based on this limited information, what does one feel about the treatment and stigmatization of the minority? In this case, one must relate to the present-day issues of HIV/AIDS.

When Captain Archer attempts to negotiate with the Vulcans, they inform him that — and I paraphrase –

…the Vulcan society had dedicated itself to the suppression of emotions; mind-melding was not an encouraged practice, and was, in fact, highly frowned upon, as it was an intimate act that allowed for the sharing of emotions…

…since the disease affects the minority, finding a cure was not a priority…

How would we respond to such inhumane treatment in our world, if a major ally of Canada — say, the US — announced that finding a cure for HIV/AIDS was not a priority since it primarily affected those performing homosexual acts? Would such a discussion not erupt into furious debate concerning human rights?

Yet in this episode, Star Trek has tackled that especially: for that is what the companies of North America are doing. They are not developing a treatment for those afflicted (whose bodies ARE failing) for the purpose of assisting mankind. I can — almost for certain — state that the leaders of those corporations see only one thing: money. (Consider the insane costs of treatments when the true cost of producing those drugs is something most North Americans can afford…)

As the episode continues, we learn that a doctor risks his career and life to bring research to T’Pol. When T’Pol asked him why he was doing such a thing for someone he despised, he responded:

“If I despised you, I would be despising myself.”

At this point, he reveals that he is a “closeted” Vulcan capable of performing mind-melds, hence his compassion. (Perhaps “compassion” is not the optimal term, since Vulcans are believed to be non-emotional.)

In our world, perhaps that is what needs to occur. People need to take risks in order to help others. We’re all humans, regardless of our activities or preferences. There is no reason to stigmatize a minority. It seems as though the world had already learned from slavery — yet we do the same things with other groups: other ethnic minorities… those of poor rank / social status… those of different ideals, religions…

Such intolerance and hatred cannot be justified by any means — provocation, religion, political views, or social acceptance.

Intolerance is a problem that can be resolved. All it takes is for the good within each of us to come out and help our people.

For it is not alien civilizations, or hurricanes, or even climate change, that threaten us the most: the destruction of man will be of his own doing.

I’m not suggesting that politicians or any specific persons do anything specific: I’m simply asking that each person understands the conflict and immorality of what’s going on in the world.

Addendum

For those who wish to know more about the episode: note that the Pa’nar Syndrome is later revealed to be — not a virus — a physiological problem caused by the disruption of neuroelectric impulses when a mind-meld is performed by an untrained melder. T’Pol is cured by T’Pau, who reveals that Pa’nar Syndrome was even known in Surak’s time. (In the Vulcan Reformation Arc — “The Forge”, “Awakening”, and “Kir’Shara”, T’Pau is the leader of the Syrrannites, who later becomes the monarch of Vulcan around Spock’s time).

[Sigh] It is regrettable that HIV/AIDS is not of such a simple nature.

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