As far as the theme of jigs in space is concerned…
I just watched the pilot movie for the O.G. Battlestar Galactica series and that shit was way more progressive than any space movie for its time. Hell, it is still way more progressive than any sci-fi production since. Although they didn’t have any Black women in visible leadership positions like most science fiction does Battlestar Galactica had two brothers that were slotted in heroic roles.
And the best part about that revelation was neither of them had to be deformed either. No blind ass first mate on the bridge and no brother with a turtleshell instead of a forehead as deck officer. ‘Battelstar Galactica’ had two brothers with afros and no attitudes. No wonder this series didn’t last. You can’t sell that image of the Black male to people that have already been so thoroughly programmed ever since ‘Birth Of A Nation’. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean to excuse people who can’t overcome their supremacy programming as much as I understand their affliction. Thank GOD the ‘A-Team’ was broadcast for several years to keep the image of the heavily armed angry negro fresh in the minds of Americans.
The original actor who played the Colonel Tigh character was TERRENCE CARTER. Truth be told is that I can’t remember him in shit else other than B.G. The same goes for HERB JEFFERSON who was cast as Lieutenant Boomer. These dudes fell into the Black actors vortex that JIM KELLY and homeboy from ‘Sanford & Son’ got sucked into. Too bad for them. Maybe they could have spelled MORGAN FREEMAN from some of his ‘magical negro’ obligations.
