In September of 1966, Gene Roddenberry aired what many believed to be an unrealistic but highly imaginative television series. The original pilot, for the most part, failed to reach the masses as he had hoped. But with hard work and a few script changes the series took off and every week, viewers waited with bated breath for the next broadcast.
His show was like no other space show ever created. Firstly, the most intelligent species onboard was not a white Anglo-Saxon male (Remember this was during a time of wide-spread bigotry and racial turmoil) Instead he created the character of Spock, a green blooded Vulcan absent of emotion with a pure logic mindset. The weapons officer Chekhov, (of Russian ancestry, while America pivoted on the cusp, in fear of nuclear war) A Chinese navigator, and a black female as a communications officer fluent in many languages. This elaborate collection of characters rubbed against the grain of our culture. But through this he offered acceptance of differences in race and cultures. One of the main characters James T Kirk said; “The prejudices people feel about each other disappear when they get to know each other.”
But the most important element in the show was it offered hope, in the face of adversity. He instilled ideas in each episode of seeing through the situation searching for truth and an equitable outcome. Roddenberry offered us a chance to escape our predisposed irrational beliefs to a brighter future for all mankind.
His work opened the door for future writers and the culmination of a new direction of entertainment, where we the viewers are offered a glimpse into a world free from racial and cultural bigotry. Creating a saga focused on life outside our small insignificant world and glancing forward to a brighter hope for tomorrow.
In 1973 George Lucas continued these beliefs through his vision of a space epic. His story also centered around good vs evil, a coming-of-age boy and his growth into a man. Accepting responsibility, and gaining understanding of a higher power that exist in all living things. He offered us a glimpse into a much broader world with all types of life, working together, and he even taught us acceptance and concern for all, even robots. Still today the most popular characters are R2D2 and C3PO.
But more importantly we sought hope, centered around what he iconified as The Force, a power living within us, and existing all around us, pushing us to find a better way of life and look forward to a brighter future. His character Yoda stated; “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering”.
In both Roddenberry and Lucas, their ideological fictitious paths were laid before us. in our innate quest to find hope, and worthiness, society gravitates toward fantasies offering what is perceived, on a temporal level, a warm fuzzy feeling that for a time, joy and hope are derived.
Interestingly enough, these are the same truths offered in the bible. Hope for a better future, Faith in a power greater than us that lives all around us and strengthen us to face the challenges of life. Pushing us to become a better version of ourselves. We are in control of our lives, and we have the innate knowledge to seek truth, and integrity, that our lives will serve to inspire those that follow. Trusting in a higher power, guiding us with perseverance, through belief and acceptance in the trinity and our creator.
SA Lawrence Author 