“You ever hear of the Bell Riots?“
“Vaguely.“
“It was one of the most violent disturbances in American history, and it happened right here. San Francisco. Sanctuary District A, the first week of September, 2024.“
“That’s only a few days from now.“
“Which means if we don’t get out of here very soon, we’ll be caught right in the middle of it.“
– Sisko and Bashir, about the Bell Riots

The two-part episode “Past Tense” of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a powerful exploration of social inequality and civil unrest. Set in a retro-futurist version of San Francisco from August 30 to September 3, 2024, the episode paints a bleak picture of a society divided between the haves and the have-nots. The latter are forced to live in Sanctuary Zones, areas where people without jobs or homes are corralled and forgotten. The residents of these zones struggle in every conceivable way: there are no jobs or prospects, little food, and security forces are more interested in asserting control than ensuring safety. This desperate situation leads to the Bell Riots, a series of violent protests named after Gabriel Bell, a man who becomes an unlikely hero in this dystopian narrative.

Not So Dystopian Anymore: A Reflection of Our Times

Watching “Past Tense” in the real year 2024, one cannot help but draw uncomfortable parallels between the fictional world of Star Trek and our own reality. Across major cities in the United States and around the globe, people experiencing homelessness are facing similar challenges. There is a growing divide between those with resources and those without, and the systemic neglect of vulnerable populations is evident in many urban areas.

In cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York, the homelessness crisis has reached critical levels. People without homes are often forced into makeshift encampments or overcrowded shelters, with limited access to healthcare, employment opportunities, and basic human necessities. Like the residents of the Sanctuary Zones in DS9, these individuals are frequently subject to the whims of an indifferent bureaucracy that prioritizes control and containment over compassion and care.

Intersecting with My Work at Eden Housing

As someone deeply involved in affordable housing through my work at Eden Housing, I see these issues every day. Our organization strives to provide safe, affordable homes to those who need them most, but the challenges are immense. The parallels between the fictional Bell Riots and today’s reality underscore the importance of our work. It is a stark reminder that without intervention and compassion, the lines between science fiction and our world can blur alarmingly fast.

Eden Housing is committed to creating not just housing but communities where people can thrive. We understand that housing is a fundamental human right and that safe, stable housing is essential to a person’s health, security, and dignity. Our work aims to address the root causes of homelessness and provide long-term solutions that prevent the kind of societal breakdown depicted in “Past Tense.”

The Power of Science Fiction to Reflect and Predict

If this episode feels eerily familiar, it’s because the best science fiction stories extrapolate from the world around us, exploring what could be if current trends continue unchecked. “Past Tense” uses the medium of sci-fi to confront viewers with a stark vision of a future that feels all too plausible.

In many ways, the episode is a cautionary tale, urging us to reflect on our own society’s treatment of those who are marginalized and to consider the consequences of ignoring the growing divide between the rich and the poor. It challenges us to think critically about the policies and practices that contribute to such divides.

Exploring the Bell Riots in Star Trek Adventures RPG

For fans of Star Trek and players of the Star Trek Adventures RPG, the Bell Riots offer a rich and challenging scenario to explore. Some fans are already diving into this storyline, as evidenced by groups like the Mercury Adventure Club, which has crafted a campaign around these events.

Playing out the Bell Riots in an RPG setting can be both thrilling and thought-provoking. It allows players to step into the shoes of characters who must navigate the complex and often dangerous world of the Sanctuary Districts.

Example Missions in the RPG Setting

In a Star Trek Adventures RPG campaign centered around the Bell Riots, players might be tasked with a variety of missions that test their ingenuity, diplomacy, and ethics. Here are a few examples of potential tasks:

1. Infiltration and Information Gathering: Players could be tasked with entering Sanctuary District A undercover to gather information on the living conditions and the brewing unrest. They might need to interact with residents, gaining their trust while avoiding detection by security forces. This could be an Extended Task comprised of various Insight/Presence + Command/Security rolls.
2. Organizing a Peaceful Protest: To prevent violence and unnecessary casualties, players might work with Gabriel Bell or other key figures to organize a peaceful protest. This would involve negotiating with various factions within the Sanctuary District, mediating disputes, and finding a way to make their voices heard without escalating tensions. Use Presence or Control to influence crowds.
3. Providing Humanitarian Aid: With limited resources available, players could undertake missions to bring food, medical supplies, and other essential items into the Sanctuary District. This might involve navigating through bureaucratic red tape, avoiding security patrols, and ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most. This would be a good task for security or medicine characters.
4. Defending the Sanctuary: As tensions rise, players might find themselves in a position where they need to defend the Sanctuary District from an aggressive crackdown by security forces. This could involve planning defensive strategies, negotiating with authorities, or even engaging in direct combat to protect the residents. Command and security officers are obvious choices to tackle such tasks. However, scientists and engineers could kit-bash some interesting defenses.
5. Navigating Ethical Dilemmas: Throughout the campaign, players would be faced with tough ethical choices. Do they prioritize the safety of a few over the many? Do they use violence if it means saving lives in the long run? How do they deal with those who betray them for personal gain? These dilemmas add depth and realism to the game, forcing players to confront the complexities of the situation.

Learning from the Now to Shape a Better Future

“Past Tense” is an all-too-poignant and realistic reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion, and action in addressing social inequality. It challenges us to consider the kind of future we want to create and to take steps today to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Whether through the lens of science fiction or the realities of our world, the message is clear: an equitable society is dearly needed.

As hard as it may be to admit, we are living in the time of the Bell Riots. Star Trek did it again, unwittingly predicting the future. Thank goodness those Vulcans are coming in 2063.

In all seriousness, allow this episode of DS9 to stoke our compassion for our fellow humans and do what we can to make the lives of our neighbors (even the unhoused ones) easier.

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