How would you respond to this claim?

“Our language is often inadequate to describe our respect for alternative life forms. To demonstrate our respect, i offer as example, the way Captain Kirk respected and worked to heal the Horta on Janus VI.”

It seems to me that such a blatantly politically incorrect statement could only erupt from the mouth of some future isolated earthbound insular hillbilly. How do you rise through the academy, then interact with alien species for decades while rising through the ranks to field grade and still maintain such views?

Chekov’s proclamation is pompous and lacks meaning. I’m not surprised Azetbur took exception to it. Inalienable rights are just that and are not subject to the claims of planets or anything else.

“Didn’t you get the memo? The definition of Homo has been changed to include all intelligent beings including you lizard face.”

Get lost hippy. Suck on a pain stick!

You’re right that Chekov used an old human-centric word for universal rights, and Earth does play a disproportionate role in Federation politics. It is also challenging for our culture to relate to the ideas of a culture which values conquest and domination. We have a certain bias against such values, from our ancient history of destructive conflicts, and how our world was nearly destroyed by them on several occasions. You are correct that this bias translates directly, and sometimes thoughtlessly into Federation policy, and the way we might first think to express it.

“Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra!”