Hi, I am brand-new to this group, but I felt I had to jump right into
this conversation with an anecdote.
When I was a kid, I used to try play "Star Trek" with friends on the
back porch. The problem was, if there was more than one girl playing,
we'd have to fight over who got to be Lt. Uhuru.
I was gleeful in one episode where a Lt. Tracy was introduced, but she
and Dr. McCoy were reduced to cubes (supposedly all of the water content
was taken out) by some alien villain, who crushed one of them. Of
course, it was Lt. Tracy that would not return to life. How scarring!
At any rate, I also wanted to comment on the question about Star Trek
being part of a military complex. It's true... but I think (in Next
Gen., etc.) we find a military that is primarily focused on scientific
research, and reluctant to go into battle. Plus, I think to write off
the show for that reason would be shortsighted, simply because the
writers use that environment to explore very human relationships between
the crew characters themselves and with other species. Plus, Capt.
Picard seems to suffer serious chagrin everytime he is faced with the
prospect of violent confrontation. ST's image of the universe is not
intended to be a Utopian one.
In the world of mainstream entertainment, I have never seen a show that
explored gender roles and cultural difference so sensitively.
—Tracy
Teragram wrote:
>
> >This may also be the reason why I cannot watch old Star Trek, in spite of
> >the fact that everybody says it is better that New Generation.
>
> YES! I get so tired of watching women having to do their jobs in supposedly
> equal society in a) long trailing tripping skirts or b) uniforms that
> barely cover their crotches. Not to mention that they rarely get the jobs
> with power/esteem, and instead get stuck in the traditional 'nurturing' or
> 'sex kitten' roles. I can see all that in real life, thanks - and I'm not
> happy about it there either, but at least the women I know aren't smiling
> about it as they get the coffee.
>
> I grew up watching reruns of the original Star Trek, and, for me, they have
> a certain nostalgic quality but I also remember, even then (lo, these many
> years ago) feeling dissatisfied with the portrayal of the female
> characters. It seemed clear that there was nothing for me to aspire to in
> their roles - I feel the same dissatification when I see a current movie or
> series that runneth over with heros and villians with the few women
> characters reduced to pretty wallpaper and comfort bearers. I can't see
> myself - nor anyone I'd want to be - I don't exist in these scenarios, and
> neither does any other women I know. Why would I want to watch them?
>
> meg
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Thu May 25 2000 - 19:06:36 PDT