Within the “Star Trek” multiverse, I am what I would name a “vestibule space” Trekkie. I am not hanging out within the precise home, however I am not hanging out on the entrance porch or standing in entrance of the home, gawking at it, both.
In different phrases, I have not attended any conventions, learn the books, stored up with each situation of each “Star Trek” story and even stuffed myself right into a makeshift “Star Trek” costume (save for dressing as “Star Trek: The Subsequent Era’s” bartender, Guinan, whereas serving drinks at some long-ago occasion on the Museum of Discovery).
It is easy to overlook simply how outdated the unique “Star Trek” is; it first aired as a collection in 1966. It grew right into a franchise that has had many variations emerge since then. However nothing beats the unique Capt. James T. Kirk, Mr. Spock, Scotty, Dr. McCoy, Chekov … and naturally, Lieutanant Uhura. The latter was made iconic by the incomparable Nichelle Nichols, who died July 31 on the age of 89.
I would puzzled behind my thoughts which “Star Trek: TOS” (The Authentic Collection) we’d lose subsequent, remembering the intestine punches that got here with the losses of Leonard Nimoy (Spock), DeForest Kelley (McCoy), James Doohan (Scotty) and Nurse Chapel (Majel Barrett).
Now I do know. Oooouch.
However Nichols did make it to 89, which, once more, exhibits how lengthy she, and “Star Trek,” have been with us.
Let’s put apart the truth that within the unique collection the ladies of the present’s star ship, the united statesS. Enterprise, wore fit-and-flare uniforms that led to impossibly brief skirts and, full with black boots, made them seem like intergalactic go-go dancers. (Truly the unique “Star Trek” was an equal alternative objectifier: Kirk and different male characters had been shirtless in fairly a couple of circumstances … and among the many humanoid species the Enterprise crew encountered, a number of the male costumes had been, to say the least, masculinity robbing.)
I used to be a kind of little Black ladies who appreciated seeing Lieutenant Uhura, the ship’s communications officer, portrayed by somebody who appeared like myself starring in such a outstanding collection. I take advantage of the phrase “appeared like myself” considerably loosely in that, as somebody with lifelong weight struggles, I spent years envying Nichols’ good determine. Particularly when she confirmed extra of it by way of that midriff-baring model of her uniform within the parallel universe in one in all “Star Trek’s” extra notable episodes: “Mirror, Mirror” … the episode by which Uhura had that relatively steamy trade there on the ship’s bridge with the “different” Sulu. Talking of steamy, she was on the opposite finish of “tv’s first scripted interracial kiss with ‘Star Trek’ co-star William Shatner, who performed Captain Kirk, within the 1968 episode ‘Plato’s Stepchildren,'” as an obit story at abcnews.go.com places it.
The lady did all this onscreen with out shedding an oz of dignity and sophistication. Despite the fact that Uhura was simply one in all a zillion feminine characters Kirk locked lips with on that present.
“In an interview for the Archive of American Tv, Nichols defined how she wished to go away the collection for a task on Broadway and the way Martin Luther King Jr. talked her into staying on the peak of the civil rights motion,” continues the ABC story.
“In an interview with StarTrek.com, Nichols defined that in an opportunity encounter at a fundraiser, King had urged her to stay on the present. ‘Once we see you, we see ourselves. And we see ourselves as clever, and delightful and proud,’ she recalled King telling her. The next Monday she rescinded her resignation to indicate creator Gene Roddenberry.”
King noticed past the impracticality of that “Star Trek” uniform. He knew that in her position, Nichols — in addition to including some femininity and glam to the bridge of the united statesS. Enterprise — was a real-life dream initiator, a task mannequin for not solely Black ladies however all who would go on to pioneering, barrier-breaking roles of their desired professions. She positively confirmed me that these two aforementioned virtues, dignity and sophistication, transcends any racial, cultural or socioeconomic background; any surroundings … and any apparel. That dignity was nonetheless intact when she got here again for the unique set of “Star Trek” function movies beginning in ’79 and continuing by the ’80s.
Yeah, there was that scene in “Star Trek V: The Last Frontier,” the place the then-middle aged Uhura does a “bare fan dance” to distract some unhealthy guys (see Star Trek: 10 Embarrassing Film Scenes That Ought to By no means Have Been Filmed, whatculture.com). However solely her naked legs had been onscreen, and that scene did not cut back the brightness of Nichols’ solar within the “Star Trek” multiverse. Or in my coronary heart. Or, I am positive, within the hearts of these at NASA, for which she served as a recruitment ambassador for girls and different underrepresented communities.
Not unhealthy for any person we first noticed in a mini costume on a fictional present about star-ship travels.
Relaxation in love, Nichelle. Thanks for going the place no girl (Black or in any other case) had gone earlier than.
E mail: [email protected]
