Nichelle Nichols on how Dr. MLK, Jr. dissuaded her from quitting Star Trek

[freshwest]

When she met President Obama...




They gave us the Vulcan salute.

As the lovely Lt. Uhura:



What we thought then that the world would be and now know it will be!

Cross-posted from the BOG.

[trumad]

1. Wow..super kick and rec

What an awesome woman.

[PoliticAverse]

2. Great story. n/t

[Stuart G]

3. I enjoyed this one very much..k and r..nt

[freshwest]

8. Glad you did. And history will be made this month.

[bluedigger]

4. It was still sort of mean to leave Spock out on the porch.

[freshwest]

6. Okay, that was the wrong one! Here is the one I meant to post:

[freshwest]

7. Ah, ha, that was MFM's! It was in the search results. We'll preserve it here:

[msongs]

5. I was always hoping Mr. Sulu and Lt. Uhura would get together. oh well lol nt

[Jefferson23]

9. Fantastic. K&R

[awoke_in_2003]

10. So lovely then...

so lovely now.

[Dudette]

11. She's my shero, my inspriration...

... my idol, my queen. I am who am I, because I saw myself in her.

[freshwest]

12. I am so glad to hear that. She is a very special lady, a role model for all of us.

And you must be a very special person, too.

[LongTomH]

13. A remarkable lady! So many of the women and minorities in NASA were recruited by Nichelle

.....including Dr. Sally Ride and current NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. Former NASA astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison credited Nichelle with inspiring her. Dr. Jemison even appeared on a Star Trek Next Generation episode.

Nichelle deserves credit for a groundbreaking role on American television and with kicking open doors for women at NASA.

[freshwest]

18. Thanks for that information. She influenced many, as MLK knew she would.

[geckosfeet]

14. Beautiful moment.

The last minute brought tears to my eyes.

[Cha]

15. K&R for beautiful Nichelle, Gene Roddenberry, and

Dr Martin Luther King.. all of whom helped to educate America~

Thanks freshwest.. that's an amazing Vid!

[NBachers]

16. I Gotta Rec This One!

[mostlyconfused]

17. That is just tremendous!

[Behind the Aegis]

19. I have heard her say this before.

This isn't new to me because I have seen a number of biographies about Star Trek. And, I hope, every time she has an opportunity, she tells the story because it is worth repeating! Dr. King was correct. I am also bookmarking this thread because there are a number of people who need to hear this story, especially when they ask "why does it matter if so-and-so" comes out?" THIS IS WHY! The number of African-American children, especially girls, finally got to see a positive role model on the TV screen. She was an inspiration to a number of children, and not all of the AA, because for many a young white child now saw a black woman in a new way, and that is quite important too.

Oh, and if you get a chance...google her speech on the William Shatner roast!

[freshwest]

20. Thanks I didn't know all of that. And I'll google for the laughs.

[Behind the Aegis]

21. Be prepared. It is kinda raunchy!

[Behind the Aegis]

22. You may like this too!

It is mainly just snapshots, but it is her singing!

[freshwest]

23. You know, I remember an episode on the show where she was singing, but she was forced to sing...

Some people on a planet had developed telekinetic powers and decided that they gods or something. And they were forcing the crew to react to entertain them. It was creepy and intense. Her voice was great even though she was afraid. One of the other people on the planet got the same powers and made them stop so that the Enterprise crew could leave.

[dembotoz]

24. wow

[Stellar]

25. Whoa! thanks for sharing.

I'm a big Trekkie fan, except for the movies.

[romantico]

26. Whoopi

Whoopi Goldberg credits her for wanting to do STAR TREK!

http://videos.huffingtonpost.com/entertainment/nichelle-nichols-influence-on-whoopi-goldberg-517413865

[The CCC]

27. Nichelle Nichols on how Dr. MLK, Jr. dissuaded her from quitting Star Trek

Live long and prosper Nichelle.

[xocet]

28. K & R

That is a great story.

[felix_numinous]

29. Nichelle Nichols is a bright light

as was Dr. King, to inspire so many people to aspire to be the best they can be! President Obama is another bright one, lighting the way for who knows how many kids (and adults!) who will be empowered to change this world for the better.

Thank you for posting this freshwest.

[RoccoR5955]

30. I've heard her story at conventions years ago.

Nichelle has my deepest respect for what she did. Each time I hear it, it brings tears to my eyes.
You should have seen her years ago at conventions. When she told her story, there was an energy about her that was wonderful. Ms. Nichols is truly one of a kind.

She inspired many to get involved in science, as did others on Star Trek. I seem to remember that Jimmy Doohan, who played Scotty on the original series never had a real college degree, he did receive an honorary degree in Engineering.

I know that the show, among other things from those times, inspired me to pursue a career in science.


I only wish that there were more things like Star Trek these days that would inspire kids to get more involved in science.


Live Long and Prosper Uhuru!

[SemperEadem]

31. She made a huge impact in my life

in the fact that she was a black woman who was a lieutenant doing important things on this space ship. To a 6 yr old black girl with 2 professionals as parents (dad was a teacher and mom was a nurse), seeing her validated the examples that were set out in my life through my parents and aunts and uncles who were also professionals. I watched to see her and hang on her ever word, not so much to pay attention to what Kirk and Spock were doing.

[grahamhgreen]

32. Don't forget to check her out in The Torturer movie!

[mntleo2]

33. Ohura not only inspired AA folks, she inspired white girls too

...I was a young woman when Star Trek first aired. I was one of the first Trekkies in my city and a female to boot (most Trekkies were male). But I was in the high school band and had to play and march every Friday night for the football and basketball games so I could not watch when when ST aired, to my disappointment. One of the major reasons I wanted to watch was because this beautiful, smart AA woman had an important role with this crew and she helped me to understand as a female, I could be anything too.

I cannot say I became anything that great, but I am a lifelong activist for social justice and especially for low income people. It is because of role modles like Nichelle was that I could visualize how it could be better for my and coming generations of women and minorities if we just kept speaking. Because of her, I have never stoped speaking even though at times it has been to to my own detriment. I do hope I had a small part in what there was (and is) to come.

Thank-you Nichelles!

Love, Cat in Seattle

[icarusxat]

34. An American treasure to be sure

A real person. Hopes and dreams and the ability to share a vision of how to share them with others. Yet another reason to celebrate this weekend. Thank you Nichelle and thank you MLK Jr

[Paulie]

35. She also did an interview on Star Talk Radio

With Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson:


http://www.startalkradio.net/show/a-conversation-with-nichelle-nichols/

[Wounded Bear]

36. K & R.....and many thanks for the link....

Beautiful woman, and a postive role model for many.

[limpyhobbler]

37. wow That was amazing.