Women of Star Trek @womenofstartrek - Tumblr Blog

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In the Star Trek episode "Balance of Terror" there is a scene that we may pass over lightly as modern viewers but is important to consider in the context of the times. This episode first aired in December of 1966, 58 years ago.

With the Enterprise damaged by the Romulans' nuclear device detonation at close proximity, navigator Lt. Stiles is relieved by Captain Kirk to rush to Phaser Control and keep the weapons operational at a critical moment. The Captain orders Lt. Uhura to take over Mr. Stiles' station at navigation, which she immediately does.

At first blush, this may seem like just another action scene with the crew responding to the crisis. But why does the camera follow Uhura so closely and linger on her as she assumes the navigation station with Sulu looking on?

Consider the scene in the context of 1966. A black woman is portrayed as a professional, an officer in Starfleet, skilled at her job with the complete confidence of her Captain and her peers. She responds quickly and competently to orders without fanfare.

This is where Star Trek shines and where so many others fail. The scene is ahead of its time but is played perfectly straight, with just a lingering camera shot for emphasis. No obnoxious moralizing, no heavy-handed finger-wagging, or clumsy brute force to spoil the effort.

Star Trek showed us a better version of ourselves, one that we could aspire to, and it showed it to us in the best way; realistic people behaving realistically in a futuristic setting, without regard to superficial differences. And it was effective and groundbreaking precisely because of that.

Alabama News Beacon