Honestly replaying the series with the Legendary Edition has been kind of an eye opener when it comes to just now much of a neoliberal hellhole that universe is, didn't give it much thought as a kid. The Batarian thing always threw me just because it's like they sat down with the intention to design a race for you to hate.
Now that I think about it, the reason it was shocking to me (and maybe to you as well) was because it felt out of place with the socially Liberal tone of the series. If it were consistent, it would have at least made the "government, not the people" distinction but no, mask off. At least they sorta get treated like people by Mass Effect 3.
Honestly replaying the series with the Legendary Edition has been kind of an eye opener when it comes to just now much of a neoliberal hellhole that universe is, didn't give it much thought as a kid. The Batarian thing always threw me just because it's like they sat down with the intention to design a race for you to hate.
Now that I think about it, the reason it was shocking to me (and maybe to you as well) was because it felt out of place with the socially Liberal tone of the series. If it were consistent, it would have at least made the "government, not the people" distinction but no, mask off. At least they sorta get treated like people by Mass Effect 3.