Race and Ethnicity in the Twelve Colonies - Revision history

Joe Beaudoin Jr.: Text replacement - "Karl Agathon" to "{{callsign|Karl Agathon}}"

2025-02-08T16:34:32Z

Text replacement - "Karl Agathon" to "{{callsign|Karl Agathon}}"

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:34, 8 February 2025
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	*William and Caroline Adama		*William and Caroline Adama
	*[[Sharon Valerii]] and [[Galen Tyrol]]		*[[Sharon Valerii]] and [[Galen Tyrol]]
	*[[Sharon Agathon\|Sharon]] and [[Karl Agathon]] ([[Tahmoh Penikett]], who plays Agathon, is American and European)		*[[Sharon Agathon\|Sharon]] and {{callsign\|Karl Agathon}} ([[Tahmoh Penikett]], who plays Agathon, is American and European)
	*Anastasia Dualla and [[Billy Keikeya]] (Keikeya is European)		*Anastasia Dualla and [[Billy Keikeya]] (Keikeya is European)
	*Anastasia Dualla and Lee Adama		*Anastasia Dualla and Lee Adama

Joe Beaudoin Jr.: Text replacement - "Lee Adama" to "{{callsign|Lee Adama}}"

2025-02-08T16:16:07Z

Text replacement - "Lee Adama" to "{{callsign|Lee Adama}}"

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:16, 8 February 2025
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	==The Adama Brothers==		==The Adama Brothers==
	The Miniseries received some criticism for casting [[Edward James Olmos]], a dark-skinned Latino, as [[William Adama\|the father]] of [[Jamie Bamber]], a pale-skinned Englishman. These points were addressed somewhat in the first season, during which viewers are briefly introduced to both [[Carolanne Adama\|Carolanne]] and [[Zak Adama]]. During a dinner party in "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]," [[Ellen Tigh]] offers her opinion that [[Lee Adama]] takes after his mother in appearance, while Zak took after his father. Since human skin pigmentation is determined by several genes which can be inherited independently, this scenario is quite plausible.		The Miniseries received some criticism for casting [[Edward James Olmos]], a dark-skinned Latino, as [[William Adama\|the father]] of [[Jamie Bamber]], a pale-skinned Englishman. These points were addressed somewhat in the first season, during which viewers are briefly introduced to both [[Carolanne Adama\|Carolanne]] and [[Zak Adama]]. During a dinner party in "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]," [[Ellen Tigh]] offers her opinion that {{callsign\|Lee Adama}} takes after his mother in appearance, while Zak took after his father. Since human skin pigmentation is determined by several genes which can be inherited independently, this scenario is quite plausible.

	As such, it is difficult to pigeonhole the Adama brothers as being of either European descent (as Lee appears, and his actor is) or mixed American and European (as Zak appears, and his actors have been). Where relevant, it is probably best to consider them both of approximately 1/4 American and 3/4 European descent, regardless of the genetic background of the actors who played them.		As such, it is difficult to pigeonhole the Adama brothers as being of either European descent (as Lee appears, and his actor is) or mixed American and European (as Zak appears, and his actors have been). Where relevant, it is probably best to consider them both of approximately 1/4 American and 3/4 European descent, regardless of the genetic background of the actors who played them.

Joe Beaudoin Jr.: Text replacement - "Starbuck" to "{{callsign|Starbuck}}"

2024-12-30T23:40:03Z

Text replacement - "Starbuck" to "{{callsign|Starbuck}}"

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:40, 30 December 2024
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	Colonials whose appearances correspond to various real-world ethnicities appear in the [[Re-imagined Series]] and ''[[Caprica (series)\|Caprica]]''. As yet, no reference has been made to race, nor any allusions to racial identities or racial discrimination, as it would be defined in the real world. Tensions between different Colonies are portrayed, and are called racial, but there appears to be as much variation in appearance within colonies as there is between them. Thus, the writers use differences between the colonies, as exemplified by [[Gemenon]] and [[Sagittaron]], to mirror real-world race issues. In "[[The Woman King]]" {{callsign\|Helo}} uses the term "racist" to describe the Sagittaron-hating [[Dr. Robert]]. In the ''[[Caprica pilot\|Caprica]]'' pilot, [[Joseph Adama]] asks if [[Val Chambers]] is making a "racial comment" about Joseph's Tauron ancestry.		Colonials whose appearances correspond to various real-world ethnicities appear in the [[Re-imagined Series]] and ''[[Caprica (series)\|Caprica]]''. As yet, no reference has been made to race, nor any allusions to racial identities or racial discrimination, as it would be defined in the real world. Tensions between different Colonies are portrayed, and are called racial, but there appears to be as much variation in appearance within colonies as there is between them. Thus, the writers use differences between the colonies, as exemplified by [[Gemenon]] and [[Sagittaron]], to mirror real-world race issues. In "[[The Woman King]]" {{callsign\|Helo}} uses the term "racist" to describe the Sagittaron-hating [[Dr. Robert]]. In the ''[[Caprica pilot\|Caprica]]'' pilot, [[Joseph Adama]] asks if [[Val Chambers]] is making a "racial comment" about Joseph's Tauron ancestry.

	The two finalists for the part of ~~[[Kara Thrace~~\|Starbuck]] were [[Grace Park]] and [[Katee Sackhoff]], implying that, for some parts at least, the producers employed [[w:Color-blind casting\|color-blind casting]]. Nevertheless, analysis of the ethnic mix of the Twelve Colonies has intrigued fans of the series.		The two finalists for the part of {{callsign\|Starbuck}} were [[Grace Park]] and [[Katee Sackhoff]], implying that, for some parts at least, the producers employed [[w:Color-blind casting\|color-blind casting]]. Nevertheless, analysis of the ethnic mix of the Twelve Colonies has intrigued fans of the series.

	{{RDM twelve colonies series}}__TOC__		{{RDM twelve colonies series}}__TOC__

Joe Beaudoin Jr.: Text replacement - "Helo" to "{{callsign|Helo}}"

2024-12-30T23:37:59Z

Text replacement - "Helo" to "{{callsign|Helo}}"

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:37, 30 December 2024
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	Colonials whose appearances correspond to various real-world ethnicities appear in the [[Re-imagined Series]] and ''[[Caprica (series)\|Caprica]]''. As yet, no reference has been made to race, nor any allusions to racial identities or racial discrimination, as it would be defined in the real world. Tensions between different Colonies are portrayed, and are called racial, but there appears to be as much variation in appearance within colonies as there is between them. Thus, the writers use differences between the colonies, as exemplified by [[Gemenon]] and [[Sagittaron]], to mirror real-world race issues. In "[[The Woman King]]" ~~[[Karl Agathon~~\|Helo]] uses the term "racist" to describe the Sagittaron-hating [[Dr. Robert]]. In the ''[[Caprica pilot\|Caprica]]'' pilot, [[Joseph Adama]] asks if [[Val Chambers]] is making a "racial comment" about Joseph's Tauron ancestry.		Colonials whose appearances correspond to various real-world ethnicities appear in the [[Re-imagined Series]] and ''[[Caprica (series)\|Caprica]]''. As yet, no reference has been made to race, nor any allusions to racial identities or racial discrimination, as it would be defined in the real world. Tensions between different Colonies are portrayed, and are called racial, but there appears to be as much variation in appearance within colonies as there is between them. Thus, the writers use differences between the colonies, as exemplified by [[Gemenon]] and [[Sagittaron]], to mirror real-world race issues. In "[[The Woman King]]" {{callsign\|Helo}} uses the term "racist" to describe the Sagittaron-hating [[Dr. Robert]]. In the ''[[Caprica pilot\|Caprica]]'' pilot, [[Joseph Adama]] asks if [[Val Chambers]] is making a "racial comment" about Joseph's Tauron ancestry.

	The two finalists for the part of [[Kara Thrace\|Starbuck]] were [[Grace Park]] and [[Katee Sackhoff]], implying that, for some parts at least, the producers employed [[w:Color-blind casting\|color-blind casting]]. Nevertheless, analysis of the ethnic mix of the Twelve Colonies has intrigued fans of the series.		The two finalists for the part of [[Kara Thrace\|Starbuck]] were [[Grace Park]] and [[Katee Sackhoff]], implying that, for some parts at least, the producers employed [[w:Color-blind casting\|color-blind casting]]. Nevertheless, analysis of the ethnic mix of the Twelve Colonies has intrigued fans of the series.

Joe Beaudoin Jr.: Text replacement - ""," to ",""

2024-02-22T04:12:00Z

Text replacement - ""," to ",""

Joe Beaudoin Jr.: Text replacement - "^:''+(.*)''" to "{{disline|$1}} "

2021-01-10T18:47:03Z

Text replacement - "^:''+(.*)''" to "{{disline|$1}} "

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:47, 10 January 2021
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	~~:''~~This article discusses an aspect of the [[Re-imagined Series]] version of the Twelve Colonies. For information on the [[Original Series]] version, see [[The Twelve Colonies of Man]].''		{{disline\|This article discusses an aspect of the [[Re-imagined Series]] version of the Twelve Colonies. For information on the [[Original Series]] version, see [[The Twelve Colonies of Man]].}}

Joe Beaudoin Jr.: Text replacement - "[[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)" to "[[The Twelve Colonies of Kobol"

2021-01-10T04:16:06Z

Text replacement - "[[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)" to "[[The Twelve Colonies of Kobol"

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:16, 10 January 2021
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	''At Battlestar Wiki, we recognize that race is a problematic concept without any concrete biological definition. Nevertheless, the topic of racial identity in the [[The Twelve Colonies ~~(RDM)~~\|Twelve Colonies]] has proven of interest to many fans of the show. Therefore, this page serves to review the information available as best as possible.''		''At Battlestar Wiki, we recognize that race is a problematic concept without any concrete biological definition. Nevertheless, the topic of racial identity in the [[The Twelve Colonies of Kobol\|Twelve Colonies]] has proven of interest to many fans of the show. Therefore, this page serves to review the information available as best as possible.''

	''In this article, we have chosen to indicate race by apparent region of origin, within the following broadly defined categories: European, (Sub-Saharan) African, Middle Eastern, South Asian, East Asian, and (Native) American. Where bi- or multi-racial individuals are noted, component ethnicities are listed in alphabetical order. Issues relating to the Adama family are briefly discussed in their own section near the end of the article.''		''In this article, we have chosen to indicate race by apparent region of origin, within the following broadly defined categories: European, (Sub-Saharan) African, Middle Eastern, South Asian, East Asian, and (Native) American. Where bi- or multi-racial individuals are noted, component ethnicities are listed in alphabetical order. Issues relating to the Adama family are briefly discussed in their own section near the end of the article.''

Joe Beaudoin Jr.: Text replacement - "[[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)" to "[[The Twelve Colonies of Man"

2021-01-10T04:07:46Z

Text replacement - "[[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)" to "[[The Twelve Colonies of Man"

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:07, 10 January 2021
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	:''This article discusses an aspect of the [[Re-imagined Series]] version of the Twelve Colonies. For information on the [[Original Series]] version, see [[The Twelve Colonies ~~(TOS)~~]].''		:''This article discusses an aspect of the [[Re-imagined Series]] version of the Twelve Colonies. For information on the [[Original Series]] version, see [[The Twelve Colonies of Man]].''

Joe Beaudoin Jr.: Text replacement - "
" to "{{reflist}}"

2020-04-18T20:21:11Z

Text replacement - "<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>" to "{{reflist}}"

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:21, 18 April 2020
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	For a discussion of race in BSG, see this blog post from the Radical Compounds blog: [http://radicalcompounds.wordpress.com/2009/12/29/bsg-post-racial/ Is BSG Post-Racial or is that not even the problem? ]		For a discussion of race in BSG, see this blog post from the Radical Compounds blog: [http://radicalcompounds.wordpress.com/2009/12/29/bsg-post-racial/ Is BSG Post-Racial or is that not even the problem? ]

	~~<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>~~		{{reflist}}

	[[Category:A to Z]]		[[Category:A to Z]]

April Arcus: continuing to seek sensitive language on an article that's too important not to have

2020-04-11T04:08:12Z

continuing to seek sensitive language on an article that's too important not to have

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:08, 11 April 2020
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	''At Battlestar Wiki, we recognize that race is a problematic concept without any concrete biological definition. Nevertheless, the topic of racial identity in the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)\|Twelve Colonies]] has proven of interest to many fans of the show. Therefore, this page serves to review the information available as best as possible.''		''At Battlestar Wiki, we recognize that race is a problematic concept without any concrete biological definition. Nevertheless, the topic of racial identity in the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)\|Twelve Colonies]] has proven of interest to many fans of the show. Therefore, this page serves to review the information available as best as possible.''

	''In this article, we have chosen to indicate race by apparent region of origin, within the following broadly defined categories: European, (Sub-Saharan) African, Middle Eastern, South Asian, East Asian, and Native American ~~/ Amerindian~~. Where bi- or multi-racial individuals are noted, component ethnicities are listed in alphabetical order. Issues relating to the Adama family are briefly discussed in their own section near the end of the article.''		''In this article, we have chosen to indicate race by apparent region of origin, within the following broadly defined categories: European, (Sub-Saharan) African, Middle Eastern, South Asian, East Asian, and (Native) American. Where bi- or multi-racial individuals are noted, component ethnicities are listed in alphabetical order. Issues relating to the Adama family are briefly discussed in their own section near the end of the article.''


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	*[[Sekou Hamilton]] - African		*[[Sekou Hamilton]] - African
	*[[Gaius Baltar]] - European		*[[Gaius Baltar]] - European
	*[[Socinus]] - ~~mixed race, Amerindian/~~European		*[[Socinus]] - American and European
	*[[Saul Tigh]] - European (purported, actually a humanoid Cylon)		*[[Saul Tigh]] - European (purported, actually a humanoid Cylon)

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	===Caprica===		===Caprica===
	*[[William Adama]] - ~~mixed race, Amerindian/~~European		*[[William Adama]] - American and European
	:''The actor, Edward James Olmos, would probably be identified as "Latino", "mestizo", or "Hispanic". Olmos is a social activist working to help the Hispanic-American community, Olmos has made favorable remarks about having the opportunity to play one of the first significant Latino characters in space.''		:''The actor, Edward James Olmos, would probably be identified as "Latino", "mestizo", or "Hispanic". Olmos is a social activist working to help the Hispanic-American community, Olmos has made favorable remarks about having the opportunity to play one of the first significant Latino characters in space.''
	*[[Carolanne Adama]] - European		*[[Carolanne Adama]] - European
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	*[[Michael Robert]] - European		*[[Michael Robert]] - European
	*[[Daniel Graystone]] - European		*[[Daniel Graystone]] - European
	*[[Amanda Graystone]] -European		*[[Amanda Graystone]] - European
	*[[Zoe Graystone]] - European		*[[Zoe Graystone]] - European
	*[[Lacy Rand]] - European		*[[Lacy Rand]] - European
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	===Gemenon===		===Gemenon===
	*[[Sarah Porter]] - African		*[[Sarah Porter]] - African
	*[[Venner]] - ~~Mixed race,~~ European/African		*[[Venner]] - European and African
	*[[Galen Tyrol]] - European (purported, actually a [[humanoid Cylon]])		*[[Galen Tyrol]] - European (purported, actually a [[humanoid Cylon]])
	*[[Rya Kibby]] - European		*[[Rya Kibby]] - European
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	===Picon===		===Picon===
	*[[Safiya Sanne]] - ~~east~~ Asian (but see his article for some debate on origins)		*[[Safiya Sanne]] - East Asian (but see his article for some debate on origins)
	*[[Playa Palacios]] - European		*[[Playa Palacios]] - European
	*[[Asha Janik]] - European		*[[Asha Janik]] - European
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	===Sagittaron===		===Sagittaron===
	*[[Anastasia Dualla]] - ~~Mixed race,~~ African/European		*[[Anastasia Dualla]] - African and European
	*[[Leon Grimes]] - ~~mixed race, Amerindian/~~European		*[[Leon Grimes]] - American and European
	*[[Tom Zarek]] - European		*[[Tom Zarek]] - European
	*[[Portia King]] - European		*[[Portia King]] - European
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	*[[Helena Cain]] - European		*[[Helena Cain]] - European
	*[[Sam Adama]] - Eastern European		*[[Sam Adama]] - Eastern European
	*[[Joseph Adama]] - ~~Amerindian~~		*[[Joseph Adama]] - American
	*[[Shannon Adama]] - European		*[[Shannon Adama]] - European
	*[[Tamara Adama]] - ~~Amerindian/~~European		*[[Tamara Adama]] - American and European
	*[[Guatrau]] - ~~Amerindian~~		*[[Guatrau]] - American
	*[[Tomas Vergis]] - European		*[[Tomas Vergis]] - European
	*A young woman at ''Backtalk With Baxter Sarno'' - Asian		*A young woman at ''Backtalk With Baxter Sarno'' - Asian
	Various members of the [[Ha'la'tha]] - Various, mostly European and ~~Amerindian~~		Various members of the [[Ha'la'tha]] - Various, mostly European and American

	===Virgon===		===Virgon===
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	*William and Caroline Adama		*William and Caroline Adama
	*[[Sharon Valerii]] and [[Galen Tyrol]]		*[[Sharon Valerii]] and [[Galen Tyrol]]
	*[[Sharon Agathon\|Sharon]] and [[Karl Agathon]] ([[Tahmoh Penikett]], who plays Agathon, is ~~Amerindian/~~European)		*[[Sharon Agathon\|Sharon]] and [[Karl Agathon]] ([[Tahmoh Penikett]], who plays Agathon, is American and European)
	*Anastasia Dualla and [[Billy Keikeya]] (Keikeya is European)		*Anastasia Dualla and [[Billy Keikeya]] (Keikeya is European)
	*Anastasia Dualla and Lee Adama		*Anastasia Dualla and Lee Adama
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	The Miniseries received some criticism for casting [[Edward James Olmos]], a dark-skinned Latino, as [[William Adama\|the father]] of [[Jamie Bamber]], a pale-skinned Englishman. These points were addressed somewhat in the first season, during which viewers are briefly introduced to both [[Carolanne Adama\|Carolanne]] and [[Zak Adama]]. During a dinner party in "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]", [[Ellen Tigh]] offers her opinion that [[Lee Adama]] takes after his mother in appearance, while Zak took after his father. Since human skin pigmentation is determined by several genes which can be inherited independently, this scenario is quite plausible.		The Miniseries received some criticism for casting [[Edward James Olmos]], a dark-skinned Latino, as [[William Adama\|the father]] of [[Jamie Bamber]], a pale-skinned Englishman. These points were addressed somewhat in the first season, during which viewers are briefly introduced to both [[Carolanne Adama\|Carolanne]] and [[Zak Adama]]. During a dinner party in "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]", [[Ellen Tigh]] offers her opinion that [[Lee Adama]] takes after his mother in appearance, while Zak took after his father. Since human skin pigmentation is determined by several genes which can be inherited independently, this scenario is quite plausible.

	As such, it is difficult to pigeonhole the Adama brothers as being of either European descent (as Lee appears, and his actor is) or mixed ~~Amerindian/~~European (as Zak appears, and his actors have been). Where relevant, it is probably best to consider them both of approximately 1/4 ~~Amerindian~~ and 3/4 European descent, regardless of the genetic background of the actors who played them.		As such, it is difficult to pigeonhole the Adama brothers as being of either European descent (as Lee appears, and his actor is) or mixed American and European (as Zak appears, and his actors have been). Where relevant, it is probably best to consider them both of approximately 1/4 American and 3/4 European descent, regardless of the genetic background of the actors who played them.

	In an effort to increase the resemblance between the two characters, Olmos wore blue contact eye lenses to show some genetic commonality with Bamber. Jamie Bamber also dyed his blond hair brown to more closely resemble his on-screen father.		In an effort to increase the resemblance between the two characters, Olmos wore blue contact eye lenses to show some genetic commonality with Bamber. Jamie Bamber also dyed his blond hair brown to more closely resemble his on-screen father.
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	Often these are combined: [[Sekou Hamilton]], Cally Henderson, Billy Keikeya, [[Gaius Baltar]], William Adama, and [[Louis Hoshi]].		Often these are combined: [[Sekou Hamilton]], Cally Henderson, Billy Keikeya, [[Gaius Baltar]], William Adama, and [[Louis Hoshi]].

	To make matters even more complicated, these names do not correspond to either ethnic or "racial" populations among the surviving Colonial citizens, nor do they align with Colonial nationalism. Not all Sagittarons have an European personal name like "Tom" and a Hebrew surname like "Zarek" and not all dark-skinned characters have non-western first names like "Sekou". Daniel Novacek (played by [[Carl Lumbly]], an actor of Jamaican origin), for instance, has an Eastern European surname. In "[[Blood and Chrome]]", when [[Xander Toth]] is mistaken for a Captain Ramirez, he rhetorically asks, "Do I look like a Ramirez?", the first suggestion that name and apparent ethnicity correspond in the Twelve Colonies.		To make matters even more complicated, these names do not correspond to either ethnic or "racial" populations among the surviving Colonial citizens, nor do they align with Colonial nationalism. Not all Sagittarons have a European personal name like "Tom" and a Hebrew surname like "Zarek" and not all dark-skinned characters have non-western first names like "Sekou". Daniel Novacek (played by [[Carl Lumbly]], an actor of Jamaican origin), for instance, has an Eastern European surname. In "[[Blood and Chrome]]", when [[Xander Toth]] is mistaken for a Captain Ramirez, he rhetorically asks, "Do I look like a Ramirez?", the first suggestion that name and apparent ethnicity correspond in the Twelve Colonies.

	It is interesting to note the ~~commonality~~ of Indian/~~Sanskritic~~ names such as Singh (Lion) in [[Gara Singh]], Patel (Village Chief) in [[Sasha Patel]], or Priyah (Beloved) in [[Priyah Magnus]], as well as other typically Indo-European pagan names like the Germanic Olaf (Ancestor's Heirloom) in [[Olaf Willow]]. This is interesting to note because the 12 Colonies seem to be based on ancient polytheistic Indo-European cultures (Germanic, Roman, Greek and Indian). Scholarship over the last century has determined that many of the languages and polytheistic religions of Europe and India are related (both English and Hindi are members of the Indo-European language family for example, and Greek Zeus/Latin Jūpiter/Sanskrit Dyáus Pitā are all thought to be references to a common Proto-Indo-European deity), indicating a precursor culture known as Proto-Indo-European existed. Sanskrit, the oldest surviving Indo-European language (today used as a ~~literlurgical~~ language in Buddhism and Hinduism), is frequently used in religious hymns by the Colonials, and Roman/Greek alternative names like Jupiter/Zeus are used ~~interchangably~~. The implication could be that the survivors of the Colonial exodus are the ancestors of the real Proto-Indo-European cultures who gave their language and religion to Europe, Iran and India.		It is interesting to note the prevalence of Indian/Sanskrit names such as Singh (Lion) in [[Gara Singh]], Patel (Village Chief) in [[Sasha Patel]], or Priyah (Beloved) in [[Priyah Magnus]], as well as other typically Indo-European pagan names like the Germanic Olaf (Ancestor's Heirloom) in [[Olaf Willow]]. This is interesting to note because the 12 Colonies seem to be based on ancient polytheistic Indo-European cultures (Germanic, Roman, Greek and Indian). Scholarship over the last century has determined that many of the languages and polytheistic religions of Europe and India are related (both English and Hindi are members of the Indo-European language family for example, and Greek Zeus/Latin Jūpiter/Sanskrit Dyáus Pitā are all thought to be references to a common Proto-Indo-European deity), indicating a precursor culture known as Proto-Indo-European existed. Sanskrit, the oldest surviving Indo-European language (today used as a liturgical language in Buddhism and Hinduism), is frequently used in religious hymns by the Colonials, and Roman/Greek alternative names like Jupiter/Zeus are used interchangeably. The implication could be that the survivors of the Colonial exodus are the ancestors of the real Proto-Indo-European cultures who gave their language and religion to Europe, Iran and India.

	==Notes==		==Notes==

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:12, 22 February 2024
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	{{RDM twelve colonies series}}__TOC__		{{RDM twelve colonies series}}__TOC__
	==Race and Nationality==		==Race and Nationality==
	In general, no clear associations have been made between particular ethnic groups and individual colonies. Furthermore, there is some evidence within the series that race and colony of origin are not strongly correlated - when Baltar attempts to guess at Boomer's place of origin in "[[Flesh and Bone]]", he comments on her accent, not her physical appearance. For more on this, see the article [[Language in the Twelve Colonies]].		In general, no clear associations have been made between particular ethnic groups and individual colonies. Furthermore, there is some evidence within the series that race and colony of origin are not strongly correlated - when Baltar attempts to guess at Boomer's place of origin in "[[Flesh and Bone]]," he comments on her accent, not her physical appearance. For more on this, see the article [[Language in the Twelve Colonies]].

	It is generally accepted that the Colonials originally emigrated from a single planet (i.e. Kobol and/or Earth). This being the case, it is entirely possible that the various apparent races are reasonably homogeneously distributed across all of the Twelve Colonies (i.e. there are both European and African Sagittarons, Gemenese, etc. rather than all of the Europeans coming from one tribe/colony, all the Asians from another, etc).		It is generally accepted that the Colonials originally emigrated from a single planet (i.e. Kobol and/or Earth). This being the case, it is entirely possible that the various apparent races are reasonably homogeneously distributed across all of the Twelve Colonies (i.e. there are both European and African Sagittarons, Gemenese, etc. rather than all of the Europeans coming from one tribe/colony, all the Asians from another, etc).
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	===Caprica===		===Caprica===
	*[[William Adama]] - American and European		*[[William Adama]] - American and European
	:''The actor, Edward James Olmos, would probably be identified as "Latino", "mestizo", or "Hispanic". Olmos is a social activist working to help the Hispanic-American community, Olmos has made favorable remarks about having the opportunity to play one of the first significant Latino characters in space.''		:''The actor, Edward James Olmos, would probably be identified as "Latino," "mestizo," or "Hispanic". Olmos is a social activist working to help the Hispanic-American community, Olmos has made favorable remarks about having the opportunity to play one of the first significant Latino characters in space.''
	*[[Carolanne Adama]] - European		*[[Carolanne Adama]] - European
	**[[Lee Adama\|Lee]] and [[Zak Adama]] - their children, see [[#The Adama Brothers\|note]] below.		**[[Lee Adama\|Lee]] and [[Zak Adama]] - their children, see [[#The Adama Brothers\|note]] below.
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	==The Adama Brothers==		==The Adama Brothers==
	The Miniseries received some criticism for casting [[Edward James Olmos]], a dark-skinned Latino, as [[William Adama\|the father]] of [[Jamie Bamber]], a pale-skinned Englishman. These points were addressed somewhat in the first season, during which viewers are briefly introduced to both [[Carolanne Adama\|Carolanne]] and [[Zak Adama]]. During a dinner party in "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]", [[Ellen Tigh]] offers her opinion that [[Lee Adama]] takes after his mother in appearance, while Zak took after his father. Since human skin pigmentation is determined by several genes which can be inherited independently, this scenario is quite plausible.		The Miniseries received some criticism for casting [[Edward James Olmos]], a dark-skinned Latino, as [[William Adama\|the father]] of [[Jamie Bamber]], a pale-skinned Englishman. These points were addressed somewhat in the first season, during which viewers are briefly introduced to both [[Carolanne Adama\|Carolanne]] and [[Zak Adama]]. During a dinner party in "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]," [[Ellen Tigh]] offers her opinion that [[Lee Adama]] takes after his mother in appearance, while Zak took after his father. Since human skin pigmentation is determined by several genes which can be inherited independently, this scenario is quite plausible.

	As such, it is difficult to pigeonhole the Adama brothers as being of either European descent (as Lee appears, and his actor is) or mixed American and European (as Zak appears, and his actors have been). Where relevant, it is probably best to consider them both of approximately 1/4 American and 3/4 European descent, regardless of the genetic background of the actors who played them.		As such, it is difficult to pigeonhole the Adama brothers as being of either European descent (as Lee appears, and his actor is) or mixed American and European (as Zak appears, and his actors have been). Where relevant, it is probably best to consider them both of approximately 1/4 American and 3/4 European descent, regardless of the genetic background of the actors who played them.
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	Often these are combined: [[Sekou Hamilton]], Cally Henderson, Billy Keikeya, [[Gaius Baltar]], William Adama, and [[Louis Hoshi]].		Often these are combined: [[Sekou Hamilton]], Cally Henderson, Billy Keikeya, [[Gaius Baltar]], William Adama, and [[Louis Hoshi]].

	To make matters even more complicated, these names do not correspond to either ethnic or "racial" populations among the surviving Colonial citizens, nor do they align with Colonial nationalism. Not all Sagittarons have a European personal name like "Tom" and a Hebrew surname like "Zarek" and not all dark-skinned characters have non-western first names like "Sekou". Daniel Novacek (played by [[Carl Lumbly]], an actor of Jamaican origin), for instance, has an Eastern European surname. In "[[Blood and Chrome]]", when [[Xander Toth]] is mistaken for a Captain Ramirez, he rhetorically asks, "Do I look like a Ramirez?", the first suggestion that name and apparent ethnicity correspond in the Twelve Colonies.		To make matters even more complicated, these names do not correspond to either ethnic or "racial" populations among the surviving Colonial citizens, nor do they align with Colonial nationalism. Not all Sagittarons have a European personal name like "Tom" and a Hebrew surname like "Zarek" and not all dark-skinned characters have non-western first names like "Sekou". Daniel Novacek (played by [[Carl Lumbly]], an actor of Jamaican origin), for instance, has an Eastern European surname. In "[[Blood and Chrome]]," when [[Xander Toth]] is mistaken for a Captain Ramirez, he rhetorically asks, "Do I look like a Ramirez?," the first suggestion that name and apparent ethnicity correspond in the Twelve Colonies.

	It is interesting to note the prevalence of Indian/Sanskrit names such as Singh (Lion) in [[Gara Singh]], Patel (Village Chief) in [[Sasha Patel]], or Priyah (Beloved) in [[Priyah Magnus]], as well as other typically Indo-European pagan names like the Germanic Olaf (Ancestor's Heirloom) in [[Olaf Willow]]. This is interesting to note because the 12 Colonies seem to be based on ancient polytheistic Indo-European cultures (Germanic, Roman, Greek and Indian). Scholarship over the last century has determined that many of the languages and polytheistic religions of Europe and India are related (both English and Hindi are members of the Indo-European language family for example, and Greek Zeus/Latin Jūpiter/Sanskrit Dyáus Pitā are all thought to be references to a common Proto-Indo-European deity), indicating a precursor culture known as Proto-Indo-European existed. Sanskrit, the oldest surviving Indo-European language (today used as a liturgical language in Buddhism and Hinduism), is frequently used in religious hymns by the Colonials, and Roman/Greek alternative names like Jupiter/Zeus are used interchangeably. The implication could be that the survivors of the Colonial exodus are the ancestors of the real Proto-Indo-European cultures who gave their language and religion to Europe, Iran and India.		It is interesting to note the prevalence of Indian/Sanskrit names such as Singh (Lion) in [[Gara Singh]], Patel (Village Chief) in [[Sasha Patel]], or Priyah (Beloved) in [[Priyah Magnus]], as well as other typically Indo-European pagan names like the Germanic Olaf (Ancestor's Heirloom) in [[Olaf Willow]]. This is interesting to note because the 12 Colonies seem to be based on ancient polytheistic Indo-European cultures (Germanic, Roman, Greek and Indian). Scholarship over the last century has determined that many of the languages and polytheistic religions of Europe and India are related (both English and Hindi are members of the Indo-European language family for example, and Greek Zeus/Latin Jūpiter/Sanskrit Dyáus Pitā are all thought to be references to a common Proto-Indo-European deity), indicating a precursor culture known as Proto-Indo-European existed. Sanskrit, the oldest surviving Indo-European language (today used as a liturgical language in Buddhism and Hinduism), is frequently used in religious hymns by the Colonials, and Roman/Greek alternative names like Jupiter/Zeus are used interchangeably. The implication could be that the survivors of the Colonial exodus are the ancestors of the real Proto-Indo-European cultures who gave their language and religion to Europe, Iran and India.