Thoughts on “Tunnel In the Sky” and diversity

I saw a thread asking about diversity, specifically non-white characters in SF.   A response mentioned Rod in “Tunnel In The Sky” and that there was an essay saying that although his race is never mentioned specifically, “it is obvious in retrospect” that he is black.

 

I think this is horsecrap.  In fact, I cannot find a single reason to believe it at all that doesn’t make the situation worse.  Here’s my basic premise:

 

Human beings create mythologies that place them as central to existenc...