Podcasts: StarTalk Radio
StarTalk Radio: On the Bridge to Equality: A Conversation with Nichelle Nichols
Host: Neil deGrasse Tyson
Guest: Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek's Lieutenant Uhura, actress, singer, dancer, space advocate
Release Date: July 12, 2011
StarTalk Radio: NASA and Nichelle Nichols
Host: Neil deGrasse Tyson
Co-Host: Leighann Lord, Comedian
Guest: Nichelle Nichols
Release Date: July 18, 2011
If you're a serious Star Trek fan, chances are you've heard the story of how Nichelle Nichols submitted her resignation to Gene Roddenberry after the end of the first season. Fortunately, Nichols was dissuaded by her biggest fan, none other than Dr. Martin Luther King.
Even if you know the story, Neil deGrasse Tyson's interview with Nichols is well worth a listen because of the deep rapport the two shared during the first episode of this two part series. Weepy tissue alert: many parts of Nichol's story are deeply moving and both the guest and host (not to mention at least one listener) were teary eyed while Nichols retold stories of her time as the Chief Communications Officer (and fourth in command) of the Starship Enterprise.
The initial interview focused on how Nichols' role was a truly ground breaking part for a black woman on TV. Indeed, Dr. King emphasized to Nichols how vitally important her role was. Remember, in the mid to late 1960's when Star Trek aired, blacks were not regulars on TV shows, and they certainly were not officers on the bridge of a starship. While her mere prescience would have been significant, Nichols' grace and dignity elevated her position and inspired countless young women to pursue professional careers that were previously inconceivable.
The second part of the interview explored Nichols' instrumental role as a consultant who helped NASA recruit and hire women and minority astronauts, something NASA was not able to do before Nichols' involvement. I'm sure many super Trekkies knew of this, but I'm a more casual fan (I have not been to a convention in years) and I found Nichols' public service after Star Trek was fascinating and eye opening.
Not only did Nichols represent a key part of Gene Roddenberry's vision of a diverse future, but in our own present Nichols worked tirelessly to make this vision begin to become a reality. She deserves a lot of credit for her accomplishments, and her story is truly inspiring and worth hearing. Plus, the second hour also had more laughs than the first hour, so it's not just informative but fun.
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