The documentary about Star Trek, “The Captains of the Final Frontier," aired on the A&E network’s sister station, The Biography Channel approximately two weeks ago. This documentary focused on the impact each of the five Star Trek captains--Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Janeway, & Archer—had on the ‘Trek mythology, as well as revelation of the trials entailing putting the various Star Trek series together.What I wasn’t able to take note of were any contributions to a series where African-American women played such prominent roles…at least insofar as Star Trek was concerned. Even without the presences of notable African-American actors to the Star Wars mythos (discounting Billy Dee Williams and James Earl Jones), I saw no contributions by any African-American women to the discourse on the social impact and relevancy of these class science fiction cult phenomena.
Although admittedly, I have met one or two women in my life that had a fondness for Star Trek (especially the recent reboot of the original television series). But on the whole, I can barely recall during my experiences there being anywhere near as many sisters who favor the genre of science fiction as an entertainment vehicle as black men such as myself. Even with the recent mass appeal of comic-book-based movies, hard-core science-fiction like Star Trek and Star Wars still has a resistant audience in black women…and for the life of me, I can’t figure out why.
I can only assume because sci-fi requires an advanced level of both imagination and openness to mostly abstract ideas that one doesn’t find in say, a Tyler Perry production or one of those idiotic novels by the erotic novelists, Zhane. Or it might be that much of today’s science fiction contains elements of spirituality as a basis driving much of its themes and plot ideas (e.g., “The Force”), and tends to be rejected on a socially subconscious level by a demographic widely known for its almost unquestioned and near-monolithic adherence to Christian dogma. My personal belief is that black women tend to be overly pragmatic at times, tending to favor ideas and thoughts which they can readily use and apply in the real world rather than embracing abstract ideas which provide momentary distractions from real life. It shows in why black women have become more successful in staying obtaining and holding down employment, as well as maintain a level of socioeconomic stability more than black men. Many simply do things they deem as “necessary” rather than “desired.” This is why you have far more of them interested in Steve Harvey’s nonsense about thinking “Like a Man” rather than opening up their minds to the idea there may actually be a part of reality that is larger than ourselves (outside of the Judeo-Christian “God”). It simply is a matter of survival to embrace ideas one can use rather than what resonates, touches, and appeals to our imaginations at our very cores. Whatever the case, I actually believe if women African-American women want to truly “think like a man,” then try liking what we like and opening their minds to the appeal that Star Wars and Star Trek has for us.
