A link to meta on the 'Uhura as girlfriend' issue

[aolian]

ETA: changed title to 'Uhura as girlfriend' issue, not the 'Uhura' issue. Lol.
ETAA: Haha, so I found this independently (since it's linked all over LJ!) but I just noticed that this link is also in originalpuck's activism 101 resource list (http://originalpuck.livejournal.com/117505.html). There are a lot of really excellent links there, btw, if you haven't yet seen it. (Note: there's some negativity towards SEE in this post-- which is totally okay of course, but if you are feeling sensitive to the whole SEE backlash thing just know that those remarks are there. ^^ They're there for a reason IMO, being used to point out specific issues that our LJ feedback-ers thinks SEE could use some work in.)


So, there's this thing called International Blog Against Racism Week that just took place, and I just want to bring up this great piece of meta I found about Uhura (http://rawles.livejournal.com/340736.html), written by rawles on LJ.

From what I can tell, a bunch of people in fandom are unhappy with Uhura being 'reduced to a love interest' for Spock. But this poster puts the 'girlfriend' issue in context for Uhura being a woman of color, not a white girl, and comes to a totally different conclusion.

Uh, also, as an asian person, the bit mentioning John Cho really got through to me. ^^;

Definitely worth a read, I think, especially if we're interested in resurrecting SEE WISE! I'd be interested to hear what you guys think. (If you're worried about being quoted elsewhere on the internet, or tying your name to an accidentally offensive comment, send me your thoughts in a PM and I'll repost your comment for you, anonymously. I am really curious about your thoughts on this article!)

Thanks for reading! ^_^ *hands out white-chocolate macadamia nut cookies*

[Andrina]

Thank you Aolian! I am will be reading this as soon as I can.

[f4ngy]

That's interesting, and I'd never really thought much about whether or not Uhura's race had a role in her being single in TOS. Although, her and Scotty were implied to be starting a relationship in one of the movies (I believe I've read that, can anyone clarify?)

I think there's probably a lot of different angles from which you can look at Uhura's role in the movie and her relationship with Spock. I still kind of wish they had waited until the next movie to start up the whole Spock/Uhura thing...While I personally believe she got on the Enterprise because of her talent, and know that Spock wouldn't get her on board simply because he liked her, (the next part is NOT my opinion, but how I think some people are viewing the "issue", and why I think some people felt like Uhura got reduced to a girlfriend)) to people that are new to the series I can see how they might have interpreted it that way and felt like she was only there because she was his girlfriend...which could upset people since she's the only main female character on board, so it's seems a bit..sexist? If it were true that that's how she got on the enterprise.

Like I said though, I know that's not the case because I've seen the original series and so I already knew that Uhura and Spock were both really respectable and that neither of them would do something like that. For newcomers though, I can sort of understand how they interpreted it that way. Which is why I wish they had held off on the romance until after all of the characters had been...better established? :confused: I dunno, that's just how I feel about it.

edit: although, a while after seeing the movie I thought about the fact that Uhura chose Spock out of all of the guys she could be with (and im assuming there's many considering how intelligent/beautiful she is). That made me respect her nuTrek character a lot. As fangirls we're like "Why WOULDNT somebody choose Spock?!" but he is really un-emotional and detached from people...so instead of just going for the guys who were hitting on her, she went for someone who she respected. We can be pretty certain that she was the one who initiated the relationship...since I can't imagine Spock doing it. So nuUhura definitely knows what she wants and goes out to get it...which is a pretty good message to girls if you ask me.

So nuTrek Uhura does definitely have some really positive aspects to her character, but they're things that you don't realize instantly. You have to kind of think about it a bit. I'm glad that that girls blog made me think about it more. Thanks for sharing it with us :) it made me think harder about what some of the things in the movie meant.

[aolian]

@Andrina: cool, looking forward to your thoughts! ^_^


@f4ngy:

(the next part is NOT my opinion, but how I think some people are viewing the "issue", and why I think some people felt like Uhura got reduced to a girlfriend)) to people that are new to the series I can see how they might have interpreted it that way and felt like she was only there because she was his girlfriend...which could upset people since she's the only main female character on board, so it's seems a bit..sexist? If it were true that that's how she got on the enterprise.


Yeah, it's really interesting... I guess if newcomers thought Uhura was being portrayed as the kind of girl who'd sleep her way onto the Enterprise, then that would be sexist of the moviemakers. I (personally) feel like the moviemakers did a really good job of showing Uhura getting there on her merits ( "Uhura is brilliant! Remarkable aural proficiency! Translated Klingon transmissions in her spare time!" ) But yeah, as I don't know how newcomers viewed the movie, I guess Uhura asking Spock for a transfer might have looked different to them... I hadn't considered that, and it's a good point that she does stand out as the only (not-a-mom) female character and the only girl on the Enterprise.

Hmm, I'm continuning to think everything over, but I really did get the point that Uhura dating Spock is a Big Step Forward, not a step back, seeing as WoC hadn't been considered 'human' enough to have a sexuality throughout most of TOS's time.* Like, I can see that what's sexist for white women in current movies isn't the same as what's sexist for WoC.

I think what's being said is that Uhura was well written and got so much attention and spotlight for a CoC that it outweighs any traces of a cinematic 'sexism' that has historically only applied to white women. And because Spock/Uhura is meaningful to fans of color, not realizing that it is so important to them to feel included as romantic/professional equals in Trek could be considered racist or racially insensitive.... like, if SEE WISE wanted to break up Spock/Uhura (not saying it does, or you do!) then that would definitely get some hackles up because we'd be trying to take away Uhura's right to be a black, female romantic lead in a major movie. We'd be working against black women who wanted to enjoy Uhura-- someone like them-- getting together with Spock. Which is a way bigger deal for them than for white people who get to see the white girl get the iconic guy in movies all the time.

...Ish?

</20c>

Oh man, sorry for the total digression... I am in a rambly mood again. Thanks for your opinion and for the thoughts on newcomers, they gave me a lot to think about as well. :)



*(I think Uhura/Scotty started around Star Trek V-ish, years after the show ended... I didn't even know about it till I joined these forums. :eek:)

[f4ngy]

and it's a good point that she does stand out as the only (not-a-mom) female character and the only girl on the Enterprise.

I guess they can't help it too much, since the original series didn't have many female characters either, but there was Chapel and she was pretty much cut out of the new movie. (I guess she was mentioned but I didn't even catch it the first time I saw the movie >_>)

It's sort of understandable since she wasn't one of the major characters from the show, but only one main female character = kinda meh :/ I mean, the only other starfleet female we see given a name really was Gaila and she was getting used by Kirk @___@;

I thought you/and the LJ girl brought up a good point though. I never actually thought about how uncommon it was for a black girl/guy to be a love interest in a movie, but now that I have I see that it's definitely pretty rare. So I can see how Uhura being with Spock is very important to people, and is seen as a step forward. I doubt I'll ever be a big fan of it, but now I understand how the relationship is important.

off topic a little: with chapel barely existing, and Uhura being with Spock, there isn't much chance for a lesbian main character...but at least there's lots of guys that the writers could choose from ^^;

edit: although there's always the chance they'll incorporate chapel in one of the later movies...*ponder*

[Xerxies]

You know, I never thought of it that way. That was quite an eye-opener...
Very useful. Thanks for the link aolian.

[aolian]

@f4ngy:
So I can see how Uhura being with Spock is very important to people, and is seen as a step forward. I doubt I'll ever be a big fan of it, but now I understand how the relationship is important.

Thanks! Yeah, I get not being a big fan of S/U, it didn't quite click for me either. The nature of shipping, I guess. ^_^; But now that I've read this and know what it means to some people I am actually glad, in a nonshippy way, that they're together in the first movie. I would now defend not-breaking them up-- although that's as always just my individual opinion. ^^

with chapel barely existing, and Uhura being with Spock, there isn't much chance for a lesbian main character...but at least there's lots of guys that the writers could choose from ^^;
edit: although there's always the chance they'll incorporate chapel in one of the later movies...*ponder*

*joins you in slightly-off-topic land*

That's true... you're right that there just aren't a lot of women in TOS to reintroduce. I'm holding out hope that we'll get Chapel back in one of the sequels. (I mean there's nu!fanfic about her already, lol.) I think someone-- mandiranda?-- mentioned the possibility of Chapel/Rand being introduced a while back, too. But yeah, a gay character or bi male character seems statistically more likely to happen (http://sloanesomething.livejournal.com/399172.html). :p

(PS. sorry for the link.)


@Xerxies:
You're welcome, and thanks a lot for checking it out. ^_^ I found this take on it really eye opening too! Glad I could share it.


@everyone: thanks for reading, I love you guys! <3

[f4ngy]

That's true... you're right that there just aren't a lot of women in TOS to reintroduce. I'm holding out hope that we'll get Chapel back in one of the sequels. (I mean there's nu!fanfic about her already, lol.) I think someone-- mandiranda?-- mentioned the possibility of Chapel/Rand being introduced a while back, too. But yeah, a gay character or bi male character seems statistically more likely to happen (http://sloanesomething.livejournal.com/399172.html). :p

(PS. sorry for the link.)


Aw, I actually thought Rand was kind of cute xD I don't really know whether or not Chapel or Rand would be necessary for the movies but it would be nice to see some more major female characters on board :)

and that link was funny xD

[writerserenyty]

I'm a bit torn. I see the point, and it's a great point to make, but I still think that Uhura's character could have been treated better.

I've never thought that being in a relationship somehow makes a character weaker, and that's never been why I protested Uhura's role in the new movie. However, it seemed as if the Spock/Uhura relationship overshadowed almost everything else. While Star Trek fans know how strong/competent Uhura is, many people who see it for the first time may not get that. She could be seen as getting on board the Enterprise through being Spock's girlfriend. And, other than being the one to support what Kirk says with a translation, we don't see her in action.

One character I think that writers would be wise to think of would be Zoe from the sci-fi series 'Firefly'. She's the first officer of the ship they're on, she's a WoC, and she's also married to the pilot, who's white. However, it's not treated like a big deal; it's a source of strength for the both of them, and they're very happy, but it never overshadows the fact that she's a total BAMF, she's strong, she's intelligent.

I like the idea of Uhura, and, if done well, I actually have no problem with Spock/Uhura, despite the whole "It goes against my OTP!!!" deal. It's just that I feel the treatment of the relationship overshadowed the strength of Uhura as a character, and instead made her the girlfriend.

[sunhawk]

Strangely enough, I re-read that entry last night, independently of this forum and was thinking of how good an article it is :)

In regards to the comment made that Spock/Uhura was made a big deal and overshadows the movie, I don't think that's the case. I believe the reactions fans had and their focus on that hooking up may overshadow those fans' own personal thoughts on the movie, but within the movie itself, no one other than Kirk had any sort of reaction to Spock and Uhura being together and even Kirk's response was limited to a double-take and a cryptic comment.