Interrogating the imperialist imaginary: colonial projection and redemption through white womanhood in Star Trek's Borg

This study analyzes the cybernetic Borg in Star Trek through a postcolonial lens for themes of imperialism and weaponized white femininity. This study examines representations of the Borg in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Picard. Analysis delves into the Borg as an imperial projection that is tempered over the course of the franchise, resulting in a redemption arc that is accomplished through the frame of white womanhood. This study finds that the Borg Queens, Seven of Nine, and Agnes Jurati utilize white femininity, sexuality, and fragility to recharacterize themselves as innocent and the Borg as saviors. This paper uses Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis and fictional framing theory to examine the textual, audio, and visual elements of Star Trek series and film. Ultimately, Star Trek’s Borg exemplify the cycle of Western science fiction genre and entertainment industry perpetuating the white supremacy that dominates them.