Hey there! Let's talk about the cultural impact #startrek has had. No, seriously, this is a fascinating topic.
Star Trek was one of the first shows to:
- Have a multi-racial cast: Look at the original Star Trek Bridge crew. Star Trek's 1st season included Lt. Nyota Uhura (played by the African American actress Nichelle Nichols) and Lt. Hikaru Sulu (played by the Japanese American actor George Takei). In an era of mounting racial tensions, "Star Trek" presented a positive image of people of different races, genders, and cultures (not to mention aliens and humans!) working together cooperatively!
- Show a positive vision for the future amid Cold War tensions: When Star Trek debuted, the US handled international "Cold War" related issues. Star Trek showed an optimistic vision of the future at a very uncertain time.
- Feature an interracial kiss:
In the episode "Plato's Stepchildren," Capt. Kirk kisses Lt. Uhura, in what is considered the first scripted interracial kiss on American television.
- Named as America’s first space shuttle ("Enterprise").
See below my interview with Star Trek historian and best-selling author?Larry Nemecek. We go into the history and cultural impact further. Live long and prosper!
