Forget black and white - where were the native americans or latino builders working on the Empire State building? A lot of the debate concerning US media and history is now moving to the ommission of Latino contribution and history - look at those gunning for Ken burns (in particular his latest PBS opus on WWII).

I read somewhere (I think MSN) that Russell T Davies criticised Primeval for being "too white," which is why the race issue is something that has been brought to my attention this series of Doctor Who. That, and the first episode when Martha's dad was called "big-boy" by his blonde bimbo girlfriend!

You could never deal with race in a serious manner without it taking over the show/fantasy as to why would Martha want to travel through time if she thought she could be shackled or threatened everytime she left the tardis?

The most shocking thing on TV was the recent BBC4 series on racism that mentioned many literary heroes of mine (including HG Wells, my favourite author) supported the concept of eugenics on the basis of the belief in inferior races. Shakespeare apparently had shares in a Carribean plantation (yes, worked by slaves). Personally things like this should be acknowledged and accepted (once proven) but shouldn't detract from the greatness of any art otherwise everything would be banned.

No it wasn't The Timelords had exiled the 3rd Doctor to Earth because of his breaking their non intervention rules. The Doctor tried to overcome the blocks on the Tardis but failed until the Timelords released him after the defeat of Omega in the Three Doctors.

I think my basic beliefs are that DW should not indulge in social polemics about racism; then again it shouldn't pretend everything was rosy either when whites from the past see modern day black people. So far I would congratulate the team behind DW for pitching things about right.

They sure applied enough white makeup *g*


And science tell us there is no basis for dividing the human species into races - but frightened people need someone to hate.

Thats mostly a bad excuse, there is nothing preventing them from staying 2 even 3 episodes a new place and spread the burden. Not to mention when yougreenscreen everything there isn't much to build

Shakespeare was a genius, ahead of his time.

Some people claim Shakespeare is racist but you have to read The Merchant of Venice to see how advanced his thinking was. The way he draws on the humanity we share, and his ability to write plays about characters of all nationalities is sheer genius.