Thank you Star Trek

As Star Trek celebrates its 50^th anniversary I have to say thank you for all it has given me; I will be forever grateful. Gene Roddenberry was a visionary and his belief in a better future shaped my world. Star Trek is the first non-children’s program I ever remember watching. I was born and raised a Trekkie; it is in my blood and has always been there for me.

People’s beliefs and morals are shaped by many things, but along with my parents I believe that Star Trek played a huge part in who I am today and how I see the world. Equality has always been important to me. Individuality has always been a necessity to me. Discrimination has always confounded me. Imposing ones views and way of living onto others has always disturbed me. All these things and more can be traced back to watching Star Trek.

Star Trek as a franchise is based around the United Federation of Planets which is governed by the Prime Directive. In the world of Star Trek not only are different cultures represented but an array of alien species all with their own histories, belief systems and ways of life. Accept people’s differences, they are what make us unique. We see not only interracial relationships, but interspecies ones. Between two consenting adults, love is love. The Prime Directive dictates that there is to be no interference with the internal development, be that social or technological, of an alien civilisation. We may have our own beliefs, but it is not up to us to impose them on others.

Star Trek: The Original Series [TOS] was the first show to not only have a black female in a high powered role but also to show an interracial relationship. Nichelle Nichols’ Uhura paved the way for women in entertainment and showed that gender and race are not to be ignored. TOS also had a cast of actors from various cultural backgrounds; all of whom played an important role in the running of the Enterprise. Discrimination did not exist in Gene Roddenberry’s casting. From Vulcans, in particular Spock, we learnt that emotion can often blind us to truth and logic; that sometimes we need to step back and consider things before jumping headlong into them. Spock represents my spirtit race and it is because of him that I first knew I wasn't alone in my quest and desire for logic. TOS also touched on the importance of protecting our wildlife and the role animals play in our environment.

Star Trek: The Next Generation [TNG] furthered the issues of equality and introduced the concept of individuality. It is through Data, a humanoid android, that the issues of what constitutes life and the rights that come with that were addressed. The right to choose our own destiny and what it means to be human are important lessons to learn. The introduction of the Borg dealt with the importance of individuality. As a collective the Borg are all linked and share a consciousness. They work as one and have no sense of self. They are all cogs in a giant wheel. As Geordi says in ‘I, Borg’ “All right, think of it this way. Every time you talk about yourself, you use the word we. We want this, we want that. You don’t even know how to think of yourself as a single individual. You don’t say, I want this, or I am Hugh. We are all separate individuals. I am Geordi. I choose what I want to do with my life. I make decisions for myself. For somebody like me, losing that sense of individuality is almost worse than dying.” Who I am is important to me; it is what makes me unique.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine [DS9] saw the introduction of a black captain. There was never any question that Sisko could run the station, he was the captain, not the black captain. In Star Trek it wasn’t about pointing out people’s differences but about accepting people for who they are. Sisko was also a single dad and not the incompetent stereotype society often tries to portray. The Trill are a symbiotic lifeform that live in a humanoid host. The host lives with the memories of all those who came before them. They symbolise living harmoniously with others, regardless of similarities or differences. The Dominion war was a reminder that there will always be conflicting points of view, that not everyone will get along, but that ultimately we are all in this together and have to learn to share the planet (or universe).

Star Trek: Voyager saw the introduction of a female captain, but like Sisko before her she was just the captain. It wasn’t about gender, it was about expertise. People didn’t question her authority because she was a women, Janeway was a strong and compassionate leader who garnered respect. Sexism had no place in Starfleet. The Holographic doctor furthered the question of what makes someone ‘human’. What gives them the right to choose their own destiny? The right to choose not impose. And through Seven of Nine we deal with the struggles of an ex-Borg learning to be an individual again. It’s almost a counterpart to the issues of peer pressure in society and realising that who you are makes you unique, that just because someone else does something doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. From B'Elanna Torres we learnt to be ourselves. As a half human and half Klingon B'Elanna often fought her dual identity, however through many trials she slowly learnt to embrace who she was and be proud of it. I am proud of who I am. If people don't like me for me that is their loss not mine. 

These are just some of the many things I have learnt from the world and characters of Star Trek. These lessons have shaped who I am, they have paved the way for my beliefs and my desire for a better world. A world where everyone is born with the same rights and where we are all free to shape our own destinies. Where individuality is cherished over conforming and where gender, race, sexuality, religion and political views do not determine how we are treated. This is what Star Trek stands for. This is what makes Star Trek great. And this is what will make Star Trek live long & prosper for another 50 years and another.



'The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Or the one.'
'Live long & prosper'