“Gentlemen, you are about to embark upon one of the most difficult, dangerous voyages any man ever has. The total duration will be eight days, and for that time you will be in the most hostile environment known to man, in a confined space, in cumbersome suits, hurtling along on a rocket, and if anything goes wrong an explosion killing you before you know it would be among the more pleasant outcomes.”
[Astronauts visibly waver]
“Your government recognizes that you have already worked very hard, and there is no shame in stepping down now. Any man who wishes to step down will be allowed, and will, as a token of severance, be provided with a harem of strong, empowered, sassy black women…”
As motivation, because white men wanted to get away from them that much?
“Gentlemen, you are about to embark upon one of the most difficult, dangerous voyages any man ever has. The total duration will be eight days, and for that time you will be in the most hostile environment known to man, in a confined space, in cumbersome suits, hurtling along on a rocket, and if anything goes wrong an explosion killing you before you know it would be among the more pleasant outcomes.”
[Astronauts visibly waver]
“Your government recognizes that you have already worked very hard, and there is no shame in stepping down now. Any man who wishes to step down will be allowed, and will, as a token of severance, be provided with a harem of strong, empowered, sassy black women…”
“…What, no takers? Very well, to the moon!”