Hip Hop Martial Arts

Happy Star Trek day peoples!  Many wonder why Star Trek is so popular and I can’t speak for everyone but I’m happy to share why I love it.

1.

FAMILY.  From the time I was a toddler I grew up enjoying this landmark franchise with my family on both the big screen and on television.  I continued to watch it on my own throughout my life and while I was not always the best example, this show taught me about morals and ethics while exploring the exciting unknowns of the universe.  (Different from science fantasies like Star Wars as Young Sheldon so accurately described it.  Star Trek is science fiction and Star Wars is science fantasy.  Both have their place, both have their positives.)

2.

ETHICS.  In today’s world ethics often seem non-existent.  In contrast, Star Trek has been asking philosophical questions about ethics since its inception.  Although Kirk’s actions in TOS are much less ethical than the other captains(in my opinion), TOS still introduced some groundbreaking ideas for its time.  As a whole, Star Trek often depicted situations with fictional alien life forms dealing with conflicts very similar to the ones we see on current-day earth. They subtly ask the audience what their views are, and sometimes challenge those views in ways that help the audience gain wisdom and empathy.  They ask us to constantly question and constantly improve. To do things for the greater good. To not push our views on others and to do right by them anyways. Star Trek reminds us of our better angels and of what life could be if we allowed ourselves to believe. “What if we lived in a society that didn’t rely on money and gave its citizens equal access and equal opportunities?”, “what if no one needed to starve to death?”, “What if we all agreed on basic human rights and committed ourselves to working together to solve world issues?”, “what might this world look like if we weren’t constantly at war with each other?”

3.

REPRESENTATION.  While I might not always agree with Captains Kirk’s conduct, I can’t deny that TOS and Star Trek have been revolutionary in the representation department.  Communications officer Nyota Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) and Helmsman Hikaru Sulu (George Takei) were some of the first actors on the world stage that represented minority groups in positions of power.  While many would say that Uhura and Sulu deserved bigger roles on TOS, their representation kicked down doors for so many actors that came behind them.  Scientists too!  Thanks to them, NASA eventually changed to represent all genders and all races. They have kept this spirit of representation in all of their projects and to have the courage to go where no show has gone before is something worth celebrating.

4.

INSPIRATIONAL & ASPIRATIONAL.  Hollywood will not be honest about it but if you pay closer attention to the famous films and shows of the last few decades they take the easy route at the expense of the wellbeing of the audience.  Instead of improving their story-writing capabilities, they objectify women, add gruesome murders, and much much worse.  Homicide and risky sex exist in modern life, but when it’s being featured in every mainstream project we need to ask ourselves what the point of it is? ..and what type of impact is it having on our society?  Mass murder, femicide and infanticides are at an all time high and coincidentally the representation onscreen of mass murders, femicides and infanticides are also at an all time high.  STAR TREK does not have the same razzle dazzle as shows like “game of thrones”, but they create a world that is both aspirational and inspirational.  You are what you eat/consume, and if all you consume is pornographic and militaristic imagery then what are you feeding yourself?  Junk food.  You are feeding yourself junk food.  Why not add a healthy snack every once in a while??🤔🤣

These are the reasons why I love Star Trek.  These are also the reasons why TNG, DS9, VOYAGER, PRODIGY and the Star Trek cinematic universe are my favorite Star Trek productions.  I also enjoy strange new worlds, lower decks, Picard, & Discovery, but they don’t feel like the same starfleet that I’m familiar with. Still worth mentioning though! Thanks for listening to my trek TED talk, and may you live long and prosper🖖🏽🚀