HOES DEPRESSED

We gotta pop backwards to the 60's and the civil rights movement for a bit, but bear with me here. There was within the civil rights movement a Black separatist/return to Africa movement as well, and while it never quite got its legs under it, some of their leaders and ideas became very influential within the broader movement. Their argument that Americans of African descent shouldn't be expected to unilaterally conform to Euro-centric cultural standards resonated with many, even if the idea of moving en masse to Africa did not. So instead, they brought Africa to America, in a mix of various African traditions because so many black Americans had no way of knowing where their ancestors came from. Out of this we got things like the holiday Kwanzaa and, important to this discussion: Afrocentric fashion.

Afrocentric traditions and fashion grew in popularity in America throughout the 70's and 80's as people started connecting more openly with their roots. The bold colors, geometric patterns and unusual (to America) silhouettes were very distinctive, and unique to an African American reclaiming of heritage.

Now, finally, let's talk about Star Trek again. TOS was revolutionary in its time for showing black people in positions of prestige and respect, to give credit where it's due, and of course TNG had Geordi as a main character with lots of screen time and character development. But they all wear uniforms primarily, the same that everyone else wears. Jake was a black HUMAN CIVILIAN. We seem him in standard fashion (and later see Benjamin in some too), and what did 1990's America see Jake wearing?

Look at those necklines, look at those colors and patterns and shapes. It's futuristic yes, but it is Afrocentric futurism fashion, specifically. DS9, in the 90's, showed us a black family of the far future and said "they did not assimilate, their heritage is still visible, it endures, it is distinct, and it is beautiful."

This was no accident. Avery Brooks was (and is) very involved in the preservation and uplifting of African-American culture, and specifically requested that Benjamin (when out of uniform) and Jake wear more African ethnic inspired clothing as the show went on.