Social Movements
Star Trek was a groundbreaking show for more than just its graphics and theatrics. Many 1960's Americans appreciated Roddenberry's progressive and inclusive take on what the future might look like. A starship with female science officers, welcoming people from all races and all walks of life was exactly what many people wished for and needed to see on a mainstream television show. Here are some examples of how Star Trek made history:
- Television's First Interracial Kiss
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Communications officer Uhura and Captain Kirk's kiss in the episode "Plato's Stepchildren" was the first interracial kiss to ever appear on air- and it was highly debated among producers just how, and if, it should be aired at all.
- A Variety of People Were Proudly Accepted On-Set
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While Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was actively fighting for the rights of all people, Star Trek followed suit by casting actors and actresses who represented multiple races and ethnicities- including African American, Japanese, and Russian.
- A Russian Ensign During The Cold War
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At the height of the Cold War, Roddenberry chose to cast Walter Koenig to play Checkov, a light-hearted, lovable young man from Russia. Checkov's portrayal offered a different perspective on who Russians were- and may have eased some tension in the minds of Americans.