BLACK FILM HISTORY SPOTLIGHT

"I just saw a black woman on television and she ain't no maid." - Whoppi Goldberg

In celebration of the new Star Trek movie (look out for the review) I decided to highlight one of the first black  TV roles, Uhura from Star Trek: The Original Series. 

Uhura is one of the first major black characters to appear on an American television series. Originally played by Nichelle Nichols, she serves as the communications officer to the U.S.S. Enterprise.  

Nichols was casted as Uhura because of the Star Trek creator's desire to have a racially diverse cast. The original series ended up running from September 1966 to September 1969. After the first season, Nichols attempted to quit but was persuaded to stay by Martin Luther King Jr. who shed light on her position as a role model for the black community. 

Due to Nichols intelligent and competent portrayal of Uhura, many look at the original character as a role model. Whoppi Goldberg used Uhura as a guideline for how to portray Guinan on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Nasa later employed Nichols to help enlist African-Americans and the first black woman to fly aboard the Space Shuttle, Dr. Mae Jemison, cited Uhura as influencing her decision to become an astronaut. 

EXTRAS:

• The character was originally named Sulu but was changed due to the belief that it's similarity with Zulu would play against the plan for racial diversity. 
• Uhura is swahili for freedom. Creators chose the name after Nichols brought a copy of the book "Black Uhura" to her audition and explained  what the term meant. 
• Uhura's taboo kiss with Captain Kirk is cited as being the first interracial kiss portrayed on American television. Many refute this claim stating that Sammy Davis Jr. kissed Nancy Sinatra on the variety program Movin With Nancy in December of 1967. 
• Uhura is portrayed by Zoe Saldana in 2009's Star Trek. This is the first time Uhuru's first name is revealed to be Nyota. Throughout the franchise multiples first names have been teased such as Nyota, Upenda, and Samara.