Christian Williams
Aug 25, 2017 · 2 min read

There’s so many incredible things to say about this episode, but just for the sake of being concise I’ll highlight one of most effective elements about Brooks’ performance, and how it adds the heartbreak of the episode: the subtle passivity and deferential nature of his body language around the white characters.

When around his black friends and acquaintances you see the genuine passionate man that is Benny Russell; the spark he has talking about his work to Cassie, the concern for Jimmy’s future, the wry remarks towards Willie. But even among his coworkers at Incredible Tales you can see how he will keep his head down, keep his voice quiet, restrain any untoward emotion; just not behave in any kind of way that will get people anxious about a black man like him behaving improperly.

Even beyond the shameful real life history its reflecting, its so difficult to to watch after 5 and half seasons of seeing Sisko as a commanding and respected presence on DS9, now being a man who can’t even react to strongly to a news boy poking him in the chest because of the time he lives in. Its a persona he takes on, and yet the episode demonstrates the cruelest aspect of all this:

Its still not enough for society. It doesn’t matter how deferential and meek he is, he’s still a black man in a suit too nice for the cops. He was willing to compromise his story with a dream? Not good enough, he’s fired. Even Willie, a talented and successful ball player, someone achieving the prototypical American dream via America’s pastime? Still not good enough to live in white neighborhoods.

All of it makes Benny’s defense of DS9 so meaningful. Society has taken away his freedoms, his dignity, even his job. But it will not take away his dream. For Ben Sisko, a man who’s lost hope, and for all of us, its a stand worth taking.

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    Christian Williams

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    Just a guy on his own little weird journey getting devoured by the vastness of the internet.