With all eyes on the opening of the new “Star Trek” prequel this Friday —and the hint of sexual tension between Chris Pine’s Kirk and Zoe Saldana’s Uhura in the trailers (the movie reveals something else altogether)— I can’t help thinking about the original franchise and of course the woman we all grew up knowing as Uhura. Nichelle Nichols was a groundbreaker because she was one of the first sister who didn’t play a servant (but then neither did Diahann Carroll in “Julia”); But she also didn’t play a mother (single or otherwise) nor were there the associated struggles of her trying to make it (sweating to pay the rent, for example). Uhura was in space and it was all about the job (and wearing the hell out of a uniform) and of course that groundbreaking kiss with William Shatner.
Granted, Nichols didn’t get to do much (and she was definitely frustrated) but her constant presence on the bridge of The Enterprise meant she held a position of importance. And the way she spoke the few lines she had gave us a hint that she was also a gifted singer (she sang with Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton’s bands earlier in her career). Little black girls watching everywhere knew she was someone special.
Even now sisters in space or the realm of science fiction in general is still rare some 40 years later. Brothers have fared better (Avery Brooks and Levar Burton to name a few). I can count the sisters in sci-fi on one hand: Whoopi Goldberg had a recurring role in “Star Trek TNG” as Guinan, the wise bartender. Kandyse McClure was Anastasia Dualla on “Battlestar Gallatica” and Megalyn Echikunwoke played the hell out of the evil alien child who literally grew up overnight on “The 4400″.
Now Zoe Saldana is set to burn up the screen as the young Nyota Uhura. (Did she even have a first name before?). It look like she’s imbuing the young Uhura with the moxie, confidence , and sensuality that makes her a perfect fit for Kirk & company. We know Nichelle Nichols could have done much more too, folks just weren’t ready yet.
Here, clips of the two Uhura’s:
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June 4th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
I was wondering what Black women felt about the nuUhura role. Do Black women think it elevates them or is this role really without any substance.
June 4th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
What’s interesting is that Nichelle Nichols wanted to quit because she thought the role was without substance and was talked out of it. Ultimately, I don’t know if it elevates us but it doesn’t hurt us either (not like negative portrayals do). And I can’t help smiling when a sister is written as smart and sexy (even if she is only a supporting player).