Now much has been said about the... Somewhat uncomfortable choices made in the depiction of certain aliens in the prequels. And these are all valid points. But that's not what I want to talk about today.
No, what I want to get into is the issue of racism IN UNIVERSE. Because there's something about it that's always really bugged me. See, it's an established fact that the Empire are a nasty bunch of big old racist bastards. And this isn't something that you'd really question. After all the whole point of the Empire is that they aren't very nice people. The entire system is based around being bad guys and doing shit for the evulz, often with utter disregard for practicality and efficiency. Of course they're racists.
Emperor Palpatine is always described as having a massive problem with non-humans in pretty much every book ever. Any time his name is mentioned by anyone who isn't actually an Imperial officer it comes with the unspoken adjunctive appelation "that racist son of a bitch".
But really, where is it that we get this impression of the Empire from in the movies? I mean white armour does not automatically equal white power, surely? I mean, whilst they did blow up Alderaan, it's not like the Empire was depicted being actively racist in any of the original trilogy. Well, except that one guy.
"Where are you taking this dirty ni.." SHUT UP GRANDDAD YOU CAN'T SAY THAT!
No, I think that the impression comes from what we see of Imperial ships and facilities. Specifically that they are staffed exclusively by humans. Well, specifically by the British. But you know what I mean. The only aliens we see those populating the Mos Eisley. Which, let's face it, isn't the most salubrious location in the canon. I can see how having the humans appearing in the nice clean environments whilst the aliens are relegated to the dusty ghetto could set up that sort of impression subconsciously. But then it's not like Tatooine is exactly devoid on humans either. And it is rather supposed to be a shithole. That's basically it's whole point in the narrative.
Anyway, it's always struck me that the major reasoning behind the inherent racism of the Empire is the lack of non-human personnel shown aboard their ships. Of course there aren't really any black people there either, but then it's not like that actually counts as an ethnicity in sci-fi. Anyway, the point is that I'm not convinced by the on screen evidence, and will now (finally) make my case as to why.
Firstly there are the obvious behind the scenes reasons. It was shot in Britain in the 70's. Of course the majority of available extras were white British guys. Then of course there's the obvious reason of budget. There probably wasn't enough money to make any of the Imperials aliens even if the wanted to. And I doubt that they would have even if they could. Remember that we're setting up the Empire as an evil totalitarian regime here. And uniformity is a great visual shorthand for that. It get's the point across quickly and lets us get on with the plot.
Then, more importantly we have the In Universe reasons. You know what other group in Star Wars shows a remarkable lack of species diversity? THE REBELS. Seriously, think about it for a moment. They don't get near any aliens at all until Return Of The Jedi. Well, aside from Chewbacca. And he isn't exactly a member. He's only there as his friend and business partner is trying to bang the princess. But nobody ever accuses the Rebellion of a non-human bias.
Of course eventually the Rebels do gain a whole second ethnicity in the shape of the Mon Calamari (No, Lando doesn't count). And you what's interesting about that? When the Rebel fleet turns up at the battle of Endor the ships are staffed exclusively by Mon Calamari crew. Sure, the humans get to go the strike team and crew the fighters. But the capital ships are about as racially diverse as a Klan rally. And you know what?
THIS MAKES PERFECT SENSE.
The thing that people don't remember about your average Star Destroyer is that it's a MILITARY ship. As in it's meant to go out and fight. Which means the crew will be in danger of suffering injury and death. And thus in need of medical attention. How many different biologies do you think it's REALLY practical to cater to in these circumstances? How about food? Does it make sense to spilt the ships stores up like that? What about atmosphere? Spare uniforms? Sleep cycles? Size of the chairs on the bridge? Does anyone REALLY think that there's a pile of booster seats squirreled away at the back of the Executors bridge just in case a Chadra-Fan joins up?
Or maybe it's just more practical to confine the many requirements for the health and upkeep of the crew to a single species?
Or maybe it's a simple as those ships coming from a human dominated region. After all, you wouldn't complain about British army having to many British people in it would you? I mean, if nothing else the existence of some sort of space Britain would explain the accents.
At the end of the day though I can't really make much of a defence against the accusations of racism that the canon makes against Emperor Palpatine. After all, it's not like Darth Maul existed or anything.
What? He's well human.
Or that his other apprentice was a dracula.
But let's be fair here. If an instrumental part of your plan for galactic domination was Jar Jar Binks, you'd probably want to dispose of the evidence as well.
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