Farewell, Uhura

Nichelle Nichols of the original Star Trek has died. 

Nichols broke many barriers on the show and in real life, including fighting for more equal pay (her castmates stood by her, and it happened), the famous first interracial kiss (it was a forced act thanks to alien captors, but it mattered just as much), and, above all, simply being the first Black woman shown in a position of authority (MILITARY authority no less!) on an American TV series.  Oprah Winfrey recalled being stunned at seeing her.  In a famous encounter, she told the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. she was thinking of leaving the show because Uhura wasn't getting to do much.  King strongly encouraged her, indeed practically ordered her, to continue: she was the only character on on television in whom Black children could see themselves.

The network certainly could have allowed Uhura a stronger role on the show, but this was 1960s American television, and ST creator Gene Rodenberry pushed her as far as he could get away with.  I was surprised they got away with one line in the original series episode "The Naked Time," where a virus made everyone live their fantasies: when Sulu, believing himself an 18th century swashbuckler, grabbed her and said "Ah, fair maiden!" she pulled away saying, "Sorry, neither."  (Interesting fact: Nichols was a singer with no TV experience before being cast at Lt Nyota Uhura, and she was able to sing a few times in the series. ) 

Nichols paved the way for countless women who DID get stronger roles. She also had some good bits on Star Trek: The Animated Series. She came back for the movies, where she and the audience had great fun with her performances (who can forget, "Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it"?)  She made other film and television appearances, including a very funny role as Cubs Gooding Jr.'s mom on the Alaska-set comedy Snow Dogs.  She came to many fan conventions, and I'll always regret not getting a photo and autograph the one time I could have.  She helped NASA recruit its first woman astronauts and used her fame to advance civil rights.   

I hope they name a distant, beautiful world after her some day. Where my heart is. Beyond Antares.