It's a challenge to envision a truly expansive and inclusive future when the minds creating this brave new world remain stuck in late 20th century conventions. Why else would a future in which we can jump to warp speed at the touch of a button still keep women from breaking through that glass ceiling?
After watching LOST creator J.J. Abrams' new and improved Star Trek film released last week, bestselling novelist Jennifer Weiner "realized that every single lady on screen was either a mother, a ho, or an intergalactic hood ornament." Writing for the Huffington Post, she notes that even the iconic character of communications officer Uhura was downgraded from capable crew member to intergalactic eye candy:
[W]hat Abrams and company do with the Enterprise's communications officer will not be warming the cockles of any feminist hearts."To boldly go where no man has gone before." How about exploring a new and vast universe in which men and women are fully, unequivocally, equal partners...and where no means no? How about locking the Enterprise in on those coordinates, Captain, and moving ahead at warp speed?We first meet her at a bar, all ponytail, miniskirt, and long legs. Kirk hits on her. She brushes him off. He persists, prompting Uhura's fellow cadets to mop the floor with him (couldn't she have kicked his ass herself? Probably. So why didn't the movie let her?)
We are told, rather than shown, that Uhura is an extraordinarily capable linguist. We are told, rather than shown, that she's intercepted an important transmission, the plot device that jump-starts the film's action....But Uhura's primary function isn't professional. Her job, in this brave new universe, is to look cute in a red dress, and to humanize (and by "humanize" I mean "mack on") her coolly logical, eminently reasonable mate.
In other words, she's Michelle Obama in outer space.
Beam me up, Scotty. There's no intelligent life here.
If you found this post interesting:
Add to my Technorati favorites
Follow me on Twitter
Bookmark or Share
Comments
They tried that… it was called “Star Trek: Voyager” and it was one of the most boring pieces of PC trekking across the universe.
Sorry, Linda, the whole appeal of “Star Trek” is Kirk in the captain’s seat leading the way, with the lower portion of his body, be it exploring the stars or green Orion women.
And, remember, Gene Roddenberry, the great bird of the universe was himself a forward-looking liberal who championed women’s rights… along with free love in the form of his wife Magel Barrett AND Nichel Nicole (Uhura), who shared a three-way arrangement in the swinging 60s.
and in the context of the trek universe, there is only one woman who matters anyhow, and her name is Enterprise.
I have to agree with whiteknyght. They were giving a new generation the “old startrek” they had to start with the story as it was. However, then did a brilliant job of setting up for future film with a new twist, as the no longer have to be slavishly true to the old cast, because, hey, this is an alternate universe from the original series…Expect good things in the sequels.
And to counter the stereotype that the women of Star Trek were just there for Kirk’s libido… here is a link to the women of the Federation, individuals all…
http://allyourtrekarebelongto.us/toswomen.htm
What is it you would want to see? Should Uhura be sitting in the captains chair? Or maybe she should be head of Star Fleet. The the fact is this movie is exploring the origins of Kirk, Spock, McCoy and the rest of the Enterprise crew. There is not a lot of changes to be made. And what you are proposing is feminism for the sake of feminism. Not to progress or add to the story, but just because you can. Have you seen the movie yourself, or are you basing your entire argument on what you read? Give credit where credit is due, Star Trek addressed a lot of issues in it’s time. And in the original series Uhura was 4th in line for command. So please explain how you would have changed the movie. Or at least present facts to support your claims. Such as:
“Why else would a future in which we can jump to warp speed at the touch of a button still keep women from breaking through that glass ceiling?”
Uhura is made head communications officer about 10 minutes after setting foot on the Enterprise. Your quotes are unfounded as well:
“Kirk hits on her. She brushes him off. He persists, prompting Uhura’s fellow cadets to mop the floor with him (couldn’t she have kicked his ass herself? Probably. So why didn’t the movie let her?)”
Kirk hits on her yes, but she seems to be more entertained then offended (Kirk wasn’t trying to take advantage of her or anything of the sort). Uhura’s fellow cadets beat him up cause he makes one to many smart ass remarks. So please, before you publish unfounded, inaccurate, and just plain over the top comments, check your facts.
Linda… the link in the posting goes to your admin site firewall, not the article you quote… so, no one can read the original.
Thanks, whiteknyght, for the heads up. Jennifer Weiner’s commentary from Huffington Post is now linked. As she admits, she is a fan and REALLY wanted to like the movie…and does, in many respects. But she’s disappointed that “the lofty, utopian ideals of the original have to make way for a few brute shoot ‘em ups” in the remake. Her words, not mine. I thought it was a perspective worth sharing.
Ok… now I have read the original post… much of which I can see her point in this reimagining reboot… however, in the packaging of it here, it comes off as that all of Trek – TOS, TNG, VOY, DS9 & ENT were a “brave new world remain stuck in late 20th century conventions…” which is not the point of the writer, nor this humble geek.
And it hasn’t been where “no man has gone before…” since Wrath of Khan changed it to “No one…”
But now that we have a new slate, we shall see where the future will take us.
I saw Startrek last weekend and really enjoyed it. Our family used to watch it growing up and I was impressed then about the rare diversity in casting and that they even had a woman on the entire ship, as we still do not have many women astronauts. However, it was an opportunity to take diversity and women’s roles a majoy leap forward and sadly, the movie did not even try.
I think that the original Captain Kirk’s sexism has been vastly overstated. In my new book, GENDER AND SEXUALITY IN STAR TREK, I discuss the often radical gender politics of the original series and much of Trek. I cant believe anyone finds VOY either boring or PC! I’m a big fan and discuss this series at length as well. I couldnt stand the new movie, but luckily there’s lots more Trek out there!
Thanks for your article, Linda.
David