Last week science fiction fans around the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of the iconic Star Trek.
I had seen some episodes here and there when I was younger, but recently we have been working our way through the series. It is quite interesting to me to notice the amount of social messages embedded in the show. From the very beginning a variety of races and ethnicities was intentionally represented as well as competent women in high levels of responsibility alongside men. These things are less rare now, but they were not mainstream 50 years ago.
The mission of Star Trek also is a voice of optimism: “to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before.”
This is a story of people exploring, of learning, not conquering or changing anyone. When they come across a new culture, they always offer the hand of diplomacy and friendship with a desire to learn about one another. They don’t assume they have the ‘right way’ just a way. That’s not to say that there aren’t troubles or groups that aren’t interested in friendship, but the standard is to do the least harm.
Gosh, isn’t this a great idea for us to implement in our daily lives?
What if we went out and extended the hand of friendship to the people we come across in our day to day lives? What if we quest for understanding without the assumption that our way is the only way? What if we considered it a given that having a variety of experiences and cultures represented (including Vulcans, Klingons, etc.) is natural and expected?
Culture and art play this ongoing tennis match, one leading the other and back and forth. Often art is able to portray something in our world that hasn’t yet come about, and in doing so, stretches our minds about what is the ‘norm’. Loving v. Virginia which invalidated laws barring interracial marriage was decided in 1967, Star Trek had one of the first interracial kisses on American television in 1968. How many people’s minds were stretched by the idea that in the future this would not be unusual?
Each generation has new challenges to overcome, but I feel quite optimistic and hopeful for a future like the one portrayed in Star Trek. Where the earth is united in peace, material needs are met, and the glass ceiling is broken for all races, genders, abilities, and orientations. (Yes, a primary crew person being gay is normal in the newest movie.)
What is the take away for us from this franchise? Maybe it’s as simple as asking what your favorite Captain would do. How would Kirk stand up for his friends? How would Picard stand for diplomacy and peace? How would Janeway stand for inclusion and understanding?
If you are not familiar with Star Trek, you can play too. If when you envision the future, think about what values and achievements you hope are in place. Then aim your actions towards that future.
And so, in adopting this method of bringing forth a new future, we are indeed going where no one has gone before.
Live long and prosper
Rev. Rachel