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Race and Ethnicity in the Twelve Colonies: Difference between revisions

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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)]].''
{{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]].}}




''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. Individuals of apparently [[Wikipedia:Hispanic|Hispanic]] appearance are noted as biracial Amerindian/Europeans. Issues relating to the Adama family are briefly discussed in their own section at the end of the article.''
''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.''




Colonials of various races appear in the in the [[Re-imagined Series]]. As yet, no reference has been made to race, nor any allusions to racial identities or racial discrimination. Tensions between different ''colonies'' are portrayed, but there appears to be as much variation in race 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.<ref>Indeed, in "[[The Woman King]]" [[Helo]] uses the term "racist" to describe the Sagittaron-hating [[Dr. Robert]].</ref>
 
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.


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.
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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).
Line 20: Line 21:
What follows is a list of individuals whose colony of origin has been unambiguously identified, along with their apparent ethnicity.
What follows is a list of individuals whose colony of origin has been unambiguously identified, along with their apparent ethnicity.


===Aerelon===
===Aerilon===
*[[Sharon Valerii]] - east Asian (purported, actually a [[humanoid Cylon]] infiltrator)
*[[Sharon Valerii]] - east Asian (purported, actually a [[humanoid Cylon]] infiltrator)
*[[Sekou Hamilton]] - mixed race, African/European
*[[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)


===Canceron===
===Canceron===
*[[Robin Wenutu]] - European
*[[Robin Wenutu]] - European
===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.''
*[[Caroline 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.
*[[Laura Roslin]] - European
*[[Laura Roslin]] - European
Line 40: Line 42:
*[[Tory Foster]] - south Asian (purported, actually a humanoid Cylon)
*[[Tory Foster]] - south Asian (purported, actually a humanoid Cylon)
*[[Michael Robert]] - European
*[[Michael Robert]] - European
*[[Daniel Graystone]] - European
*[[Amanda Graystone]] - European
*[[Zoe Graystone]] - European
*[[Lacy Rand]] - European
*[[Baxter Sarno]] - European


===Gemenon===
===Gemenon===
*[[Sarah Porter]] - African
*[[Sarah Porter]] - African
*[[Venner]] - Mixed race/ African-European
*[[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
*[[Jurgen Belzen]] - European


===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
*[[Samuel Anders]] - European (purported, actually a [[humanoid Cylon]])


===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
*[[King|Mrs. King]] - European
*[[Portia King]] - European
**[[Willie King]] - Her son, also European
**[[Willie King]] - Her son, also European
*[[Jacob Cantrell]] - European
*The Sagittaron quarter of [[Camp Oil Slick]] is shown in "[[The Woman King]]" to constitute various ethnicities.
*[[Clarice Willow]] - European


===Tauron===
===Tauron===
*[[Helena Cain]] - European
*[[Helena Cain]] - European
*[[Sam Adama]] - Eastern European
*[[Joseph Adama]] - American
*[[Shannon Adama]] - European
*[[Tamara Adama]] - American and European
*[[Guatrau]] - American
*[[Tomas Vergis]] - European
*A young woman at ''Backtalk With Baxter Sarno'' - Asian
*Various members of the *[[Ha'la'tha]] - Various, mostly European and American


===Virgon===
===Virgon===
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==Race and Sexuality==
==Race and Sexuality==
Interracial couplings seem common to the point of ubiquity, and have never been commented upon. It is interesting that such clearly defined racial groups continue to exist in light of this. Notable interracial couples:
:''An article dedicated to sexuality in the re-imagined series can be found at [[Sexuality in Battlestar Galactica (RDM)]].''
 
Interracial couplings seem common to the point of ubiquity, and have never been commented upon. It is interesting that appearances corresponding to what in the real world are widely considered clearly definable ethnic groups continue to exist in light of this. Notable interracial couples:
*William and Caroline Adama
*William and Caroline Adama
*[[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Sharon Valerii]] and [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Sharon Valerii]] and [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Sharon Valerii]] and [[Karl Agathon]] ([[Tahmoh Penikett]], who plays Agathon, is Amerindian/European[http://tahmohpenikett.blogspot.com/2005/03/tahmoh-penikett-biography.html])
*[[Sharon Agathon|Sharon]] and [[Karl Agathon]] ([[Tahmoh Penikett]], who plays Agathon, is American and European)
*Dualla and [[Billy Keikeya]] (Keikeya is European)
*Anastasia Dualla and [[Billy Keikeya]] (Keikeya is European)
*Dualla and Lee Adama
*Anastasia Dualla and Lee Adama
*Tory Foster and Gaius Baltar


That being said, at least one individual, Kara Thrace, has only been shown in sexual relationships with individuals of her own race: [[Gaius Baltar]], [[Samuel Anders]], and the Adama brothers (although see [[#The Adama Brothers|note]] below regarding their ethnicity).
That being said, at least one individual, Kara Thrace, has only been shown in sexual relationships with individuals of her own race: [[Gaius Baltar]], [[Samuel Anders]], and the Adama brothers (although see the [[#The Adama Brothers|note]] below regarding their ethnicity).


==The Adama Brothers==
==The Adama Brothers==
The miniseries received some criticism for casting Edward James Olmos, a dark-skinned Latino, as the father of Jamie Bamber, a pale-skinned Englishman. These points were addressed somewhat in the first season, during which we were briefly introduced to both Caroline and Zak Adama. During a dinner party in "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]", [[Ellen Tigh]] offers her opinion that Lee 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's 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 play 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 wears blue contact eye lenses to show some genetic commonality with Bamber. Jamie Bamber also dies his hair 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.


=="Ethnic" Names==
=="Ethnic" Names==
Line 86: Line 109:
Some characters have distinctly Indo-European personal names or surnames which span multiple "Earth" languages and their generally associated ethnic origins: these include first names such as [[James McManus|James]], [[William Adama|William]], [[Laura Roslin|Laura]], and [[Helena Cain|Helena]], and surnames like [[Emmitt Jones|Jones]], [[Daniel Novacek|Novacek]], [[Bryan Smith|Smith]], [[Brendan Costanza|Costanza]] and [[James McManus|McManus]].
Some characters have distinctly Indo-European personal names or surnames which span multiple "Earth" languages and their generally associated ethnic origins: these include first names such as [[James McManus|James]], [[William Adama|William]], [[Laura Roslin|Laura]], and [[Helena Cain|Helena]], and surnames like [[Emmitt Jones|Jones]], [[Daniel Novacek|Novacek]], [[Bryan Smith|Smith]], [[Brendan Costanza|Costanza]] and [[James McManus|McManus]].


Other characters have surnames that are of non-western origins, such as [[Tom Zarek|Zarek]]. [[Billy Keikeya|Keikeya]], [[Royan Jahee|Jahee]] and [[Robin Wenutu|Wenutu]].
Other characters have surnames that are of non-western origins, such as [[Tom Zarek|Zarek]], [[Billy Keikeya|Keikeya]], [[Royan Jahee|Jahee]] and [[Robin Wenutu|Wenutu]].


There are also ancient Greek, Roman and Hebrew names. Personal and surnames, names of locations in use, as well as names like [[Adama]] which are carry-overs from the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]]: [[Prosna]], [[Socinus]], [[Cally Henderson|Cally]], [[Playa Palacios]], [[Sharon Valerii|Valerii]], [[Karl Agathon|Agathon]], [[Kara Thrace|Thrace]], etc.
There are also ancient Greek, Roman and Hebrew names. Personal and surnames, names of locations in use, as well as names like "Adama" which are carry-overs from the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]]: [[Prosna]], [[Socinus]], [[Cally Henderson|Cally]], [[Playa Palacios]], [[Sharon Valerii|Valerii]], [[Karl Agathon|Agathon]], [[Kara Thrace|Thrace]], etc.


Often these are combined: [[Sekou Hamilton]], [[Cally Henderson]], [[Billy Keikeya]], [[Gaius Baltar]] and [[William Adama]].
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.
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.


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


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

Latest revision as of 04:12, 22 February 2024



At Battlestar Wiki, we recognize that race is a problematic concept without any concrete biological definition. Nevertheless, the topic of racial identity in the 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.


Colonials whose appearances correspond to various real-world ethnicities appear in the Re-imagined Series and 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" Helo uses the term "racist" to describe the Sagittaron-hating Dr. Robert. In the 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 Starbuck were Grace Park and Katee Sackhoff, implying that, for some parts at least, the producers employed color-blind casting. Nevertheless, analysis of the ethnic mix of the Twelve Colonies has intrigued fans of the series.

Part of the series on

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.

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).

What follows is a list of individuals whose colony of origin has been unambiguously identified, along with their apparent ethnicity.

Aerilon

Canceron

Caprica

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.

Gemenon

Picon

Sagittaron

Tauron

Virgon

Race and Sexuality

An article dedicated to sexuality in the re-imagined series can be found at Sexuality in Battlestar Galactica (RDM).

Interracial couplings seem common to the point of ubiquity, and have never been commented upon. It is interesting that appearances corresponding to what in the real world are widely considered clearly definable ethnic groups continue to exist in light of this. Notable interracial couples:

That being said, at least one individual, Kara Thrace, has only been shown in sexual relationships with individuals of her own race: Gaius Baltar, Samuel Anders, and the Adama brothers (although see the note below regarding their ethnicity).

The Adama Brothers

The Miniseries received some criticism for casting Edward James Olmos, a dark-skinned Latino, as 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 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.

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.

"Ethnic" Names

Some characters have distinctly Indo-European personal names or surnames which span multiple "Earth" languages and their generally associated ethnic origins: these include first names such as James, William, Laura, and Helena, and surnames like Jones, Novacek, Smith, Costanza and McManus.

Other characters have surnames that are of non-western origins, such as Zarek, Keikeya, Jahee and Wenutu.

There are also ancient Greek, Roman and Hebrew names. Personal and surnames, names of locations in use, as well as names like "Adama" which are carry-overs from the Original Series: Prosna, Socinus, Cally, Playa Palacios, Valerii, Agathon, Thrace, etc.

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.

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

For a discussion of race in BSG, see this blog post from the Radical Compounds blog: Is BSG Post-Racial or is that not even the problem?