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Dr Who the leftist
From their ecological critique of capitalism, their awareness of class issues, to their steadfast opposition to racism, Dr Who has been flying the red flag for decades, argues MATTHEW TRINDER
(From left to right) Tosin Cole, Mandip Gill, Jodie Whittaker and Bradley Walsh attending the Doctor Who premiere held at The Light Cinema at The Moor, Sheffield

“We have to not help her!” “We” is Jodie Whitaker’s Doctor Who and her companions. “Her” is none other than Rosa Parks, famous for taking a stand by refusing to stand and relinquish her seat to a white passenger on a bus as was required by law in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955.

This seemingly small act went on to inspire the civil rights  movement in the US, which in turn eventually led to the end of racist segregation laws across the country.

The US has since had its first black president of course.

The time-travelling Doctor and her friends were present, but writer Malorie Blackman wanted to make it clear to the watching audience of over eight million people that the characters were not there to take away Parks agency.

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