Without retelling the story, critically engage Derrick Bell’s short narrative, “The Space Traders,” using ideas and figures from the course.. Although “The Space Traders” is a literary work, this assignment asks you to analyze this text beyond its “literary” dimensions; consider it in terms of its philosophical implications. In other words, engage it as if it were making an argument. Your essay should include a strong thesis and arguments defending your position.
Some possible questions to consider:
Granting Bell’s circumstantial premise—technologically advanced extra-terrestrials bargaining with the U.S.—could such a sequence of events plausibly occur? If yes/no/maybe, what does this suggest about race(-ism) in the U.S.?
What is the presumed status of Freedom/Liberty and Equality in Bell’s world and how does it compare to our world?
What is the presumed moral status of African-Americans in Bell’s world as compared to ours? In other words, to what extent are African-Americans “human”?
What is the status of Reason in the story? In other words, how do the various actors in the story justify and rationalize their actions and choices? Are they good reasons/arguments? Do the best arguments determine the outcomes? Should they? Would they in our world?
Does the fact that the Extra-terrestrials are bargaining with the U.S. make a difference—given the U.S.’s particular history of and relationship to rac(e/ism)?
Should/could any of the actors in Bell’s world have made different choices, or are the ones made the most plausible and likely? How might they—if possible—have effected a different outcome?
