“Star Trek”: The Future Generation
In 1968, protests and riots surged all over the world for a multitude of reasons that took hold years before. From the modernist ideas continuing their surge to the anti-war efforts that took hold during another American-involved war. These ideals and perspectives were criticized and speculation hit a high point. In January of 1968, amidst “demonstrations, protests and draft card burning” (Ruthlow), a march was held in protest of the possible cancellation of Star Trek (BBC America). Signs reading “Mr. Spock for President” and “Draft Mr. Spock”, were carried by the students of Caltech University on their way to the National Broadcasting Company. It is in that moment, we must ask, with protests for equality and government upheaval, why was a small sci-fi series so important? As a current fan of Star Trek, about 50 years later, I can say because it was relevant.
Star Trek: the Original Series (BBC America) had its first episode in November of 1966. It held popularity 3 years and finally ended 79 episodes later after its third season. The show continued with 19 other movies and shows that still continue today. Its main selling point is a unique combination of diverse characters, issues in diplomacy, and racial interactions across species. It comes as no surprise how the show has lasted so long as the conversations in 1968 are still continuing today under different circumstances. The show holds conversations on imperialism and war, xenophobia, and the delicate balance of social interactions on small and large scales (Nuemann). It also had the first interracial kiss on American television (Haynes) in November of ’68 involving the first WOC actor to be portrayed in a non-stereotypical way. In 2017, its newest series Star Trek: Discovery, holds the first WOC in commanding roles in the Star Trek universe (Pringle) and its conversation on war and interspecies, or interracial, relationships (Addams) still holds relevance in our time.
Neumann, Iver B. Weldes, Jutta. To Seek out New Worlds: Science Fiction and World Politics 31–53. Palgrave MacMillan, 2003.
