Uhura and MLK

[Gorn Captain]

So according to Nichelle Nichols, she once quit TOS because she was upset with her lack of involvement in any of the story lines. And also according to Ms. Nichols, that very night she met Martin Luther King, Jr., who told her not to quit the show, because it was important to portray a woman of color in a positive light during the civil rights movement.

I'm sorry, but just sounds like horseshit to me. I have NO evidence to back up what I'm saying. Of course, it could have happened, but it just strains the limits of credibility to me. Like, oh, this afternoon I was feeling a little down, and then I ran into John F. Kennedy, and he told me "Hang in there, buddy! You can do it!" I just don't buy it. Sounds like one of the Group of Four trying to make themselves more important than they really were. ESPECIALLY since she told the story to William Shatner for his first book of Star Trek memories.

 

[Maurice]

This has been discussed before...

...and many other times.

 

[Gorn Captain]

Oh, I see. I wasn't aware of the existence of a thread about this topic from 2007. I certainly didn't mean to distract the board from topics that HAVENT been discussed before, like "What's your favorite episode?" or "Canon Violations".

 

[Rush Limborg]

On the subject, though, it might not have been such a coincidence. Dr. King could've heard of Nichelle quitting, and therefore made it a point to talk to her....

Good call, by the good doctor. You have our thanks, mate, a thousand times over!

 

[Maurice]

Oh, I see. I wasn't aware of the existence of a thread about this topic from 2007. I certainly didn't mean to distract the board from topics that HAVENT been discussed before, like "What's your favorite episode?" or "Canon Violations".

I was merely pointing out that it had been discussed many times and pointed you to a thread you might find interesting. Apparently not.

 

[Winterwind]

As I understand it, variations of the story have been told, leading some to think it was indeed BS.

I'm inclined to think they did meet, and it wouldn't be absurd to think MLK did say something to her about being a positive role model.

 

[Gorn Captain]

Oh, I see. I wasn't aware of the existence of a thread about this topic from 2007. I certainly didn't mean to distract the board from topics that HAVENT been discussed before, like "What's your favorite episode?" or "Canon Violations".

I was merely pointing out that it had been discussed many times and pointed you to a thread you might find interesting. Apparently not.

Sorry, I should have put a Smilie in there I think. I was going for silly sarcastic, not abrasive sarcastic.

 

[Maurice]

I'm just hoping someone can find an old interview with her relating this story in the early 1970s. My guess is that would be the most authentic account.

 

[KlingonPredator]

She was interviewed on CNN last week while attending the BET Awards where she was asked about that very thing and essentially told the same story. No need to think the story was BS.

 

[Anticitizen]

The first story that I heard, years ago, was that MLK gave her a phone call. Later it was a personal appearance. ::

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

She was interviewed on CNN last week while attending the BET Awards where she was asked about that very thing and essentially told the same story. No need to think the story was BS.

Except for the fact that it's changed over the decades.

 

[Maurice]

She was interviewed on CNN last week while attending the BET Awards where she was asked about that very thing and essentially told the same story. No need to think the story was BS.

Except for the fact that it's changed over the decades.

Exactly my point. My vague recollection was the first time I heard the tale it was something along the lines that she was told or had a phone call, not that she met him.

 

[Iowagirl]

Who cares whether MLK just rang her up or met Nichols in person - main thing is she stayed and managed to turn Uhura into a truly influential model role for many black women. TOS made a clear statement with the character of Uhura, valid to date, despite her "lack of involvement".

 

[Gorn Captain]

Okay, this woman's story has changed enough to be suspicious. So I will ask the question: was Nichelle Nichols in Memphis on April 4, 1968?

 

[Vance]

Who cares whether MLK just rang her up or met Nichols in person -

Or, as the evidence suggests, did neither. I care, honestly, because as much as I enjoy Trek and its legacy, I'm really sick of the amount of bullshit coming out of a lot of the people who are involve. Frankly, the sheer amount of it is demeaning to everyone involved, and makes Trek itself look pretty fuckin' petty.

Okay, this woman's story has changed enough to be suspicious. So I will ask the question: was Nichelle Nichols in Memphis on April 4, 1968?

Nope. She would have been filming season 3 at that time. Her claim of any involvement of Martin Luther King is a blatant lie designed to make her, as an actress, appear far more important that she really was.

 

[Anticitizen]

Who cares whether MLK just rang her up or met Nichols in person - main thing is she stayed and managed to turn Uhura into a truly influential model role for many black women. TOS made a clear statement with the character of Uhura, valid to date, despite her "lack of involvement".

It's important for historical reasons, among others.

 

[Admiral James Kirk]

Who cares whether MLK just rang her up or met Nichols in person - main thing is she stayed and managed to turn Uhura into a truly influential model role for many black women. TOS made a clear statement with the character of Uhura, valid to date, despite her "lack of involvement".

It's important for historical reasons, among others.

I don't see how. Mission: Impossible had a black character who worked alongside white characters as an equal and it was set in contemporary times and not in the distant future.

The Avengers had a female character who was as tough and smart as any man and was certainly a better female role model than Uhura.

I think Uhura's historical importance is really overstated.

 

[Anticitizen]

Who cares whether MLK just rang her up or met Nichols in person - main thing is she stayed and managed to turn Uhura into a truly influential model role for many black women. TOS made a clear statement with the character of Uhura, valid to date, despite her "lack of involvement".

It's important for historical reasons, among others.

I don't see how. Mission: Impossible had a black character who worked alongside white characters as an equal and it was set in contemporary times and not in the distant future.

The Avengers had a female character who was as tough and smart as any man and was certainly a better female role model than Uhura.

I think Uhura's historical importance is really overstated.

To use the OP's example, if we heard Shatner had been wanting to drop out of Trek and JFK either phoned him or dropped by and told him to hang in there, we'd wanna know if it was true, right?

 

[Shatmandu]

If MLK did call her, there's probably an FBI tape of the Bobby Kennedy-approved wiretap somewhere.

Joe, noted Trek historian

 

[Maurice]

If MLK did call her, there's probably an FBI tape of the Bobby Kennedy-approved wiretap somewhere.

Joe, noted Trek historian

Shhhh. I promised JE Hoover you'd never tell!