Happy Birthday, Nichelle Nichols

-
Happy 82nd Birthday to actress Nichelle Nichols. May you enjoy peace and prosperity!
Thank you for appearing in Star Trek; your portrayal of commander Uhura helped me realise that women really can do everything and is one of the main reasons I've been a fan of Star Trek for over 20 years!
"Her role as Uhura on Star Trek was one of the first times that an African-American actress portrayed a non-stereotypical role on television. Previously, most African-American female characters on American television were depicted as maids or housekeepers, and Nichols' role helped break that barrier." 
Nichelle Nichols article; Memory Alpha
Nyota Uhura wasn't just the one with the pretty legs, she wasn't just the token female on a science-fiction show or an example of equality for both women and African Americans in a time when equality was sorely lacking. She wasn't just a woman on the bridge of a starship, heck, she was THE communications officer of THE Federation flagship. Not limited to opening hailing frequencies, Uhura was able to take over the main science and navigation stations when necessary and even managed to rewire the entire communications system.

After listing some of Uhura's qualities (as above and many, many more), the writer over at The Valkyrie Directive says the following about Uhura:
"What does this tell me about Uhura? That not only is she a highly capable officer, proficient in many of the skills required to run a starship, but that this is recognised by the rest of the crew. Neither Kirk nor Spock have any issue asking her to man another console or rewire an entire system. There is no pause, or even split second of doubt or concern. They don’t ask her if she’s up to it. They just tell her what to do and she does it without question. They trust her implicitly. " 
The making of an icon - Lieutenant Nyota Uhura | The Valkyrie Directive
Nichelle Nichols is not Nyota Uhura - the first is a talented actress, the second is a character on a science fiction show. Yet Nichelle Nichols is the face, the voice and the smile of Uhura - another actress may play the character in the new Star Trek movies, but no-one will ever be able to replace the original, the woman who inspired so many. Nichelle Nichols gave life to Uhura, she helped make Uhura a human being who was appreciated for who she was as a person, not condemned, belittled or pushed aside because of her gender or skin colour.

I am glad that Star Trek has been a part of my life for over twenty years and am doubly glad that Star Trek has introduced me to many great women, both in space in the future and right here, right now.

Popular posts from this blog

From dancing to death: 'I wish I didn't have a bat mitzvah and Dan was alive' | The Times of Israel

-
The following is a quote from a Times of Israel newspaper article regarding the fatal shooting outside a synagogue in Copenhagen, Denmark, this past weekend. T he mother of the girl who celebrated her bat mitzvah at a Copenhagen synagogue when a gunman opened fire outside, killing one Jewish security guard, recalled the attack with horror and grief on Monday, and expressed sorrow at the death of the beloved community member, Dan Uzan.  “Only an hour beforehand I went out to bring [Uzan] cakes and sandwiches,” Mita Ben-Tov told Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth. “All of the sudden the celebration looks vain, [my daughter] Hannah told me ‘Mom, I wish I had not had a bat mitzvah and that Dan would have stayed alive.'”  Ben-Tov said guests and children were forced to hide in a basement for two hours following the shooting.  “We were dancing and singing, and suddenly the second guard entered and told us to turn the music down,” she said. “We were not aware that there was ...
This post is longer than it looks. Read more »

Wow! Stunning Photos of Nature Winning The Battle Against Civilization

-
Image
Abandoned train station | Abkhazia, Georgia I love taking photos, sharing the world I see with others, showcasing the beauty of the natural world and capturing the magic of a moment. The magic of the moment was certainly captured  by the very lucky and talented photographers who captured 21 photos of nature winning the battle against civilisation . From Hong Kong to Russia to Namibia, the photos show what can happen when humans abandon a site or an item to nature; when we leave nature to rule instead of mankind. This post features three of my favourites images from the 21, however I very much encourage you to read the article for yourself and have a peek at the other 18 images! Especially the mill in Italy that looks like it came straight from a fairytale. And the abandoned hotel in Kamchatka, Russia. And the piano. And the Ferris wheel. And... The SS Ayrfield in Homebush  Bay , west of Sydney, Australia Features images: (above) An abandoned railway station ...
This post is longer than it looks. Read more »