We are seeing a rare head-butting of agendas in various fan discussions of the Spock/Uhura relationship.
The new film has Uhura involved with Spock, building upon a flirtation that we hadn’t seen since “Charlie X” (when there was clearly something cooking between her and Spock in the rec room sequence). Indeed, some have observed that she has more to do in two hours of the film than she had in the original 79 episodes combined.
Yet the irony is that two groups are grinding their individual axes against each other and the sparks are flying.
In this corner: those who are declaring that having Uhura involved with Spock turns her into a girl toy and reduces her to an object of sexual desire.
In the other corner: those who declare that anyone who feels that way is actually uncomfortable with a black woman involved with a white man and is therefore a racist, whether they admit it or not.
So basically we have a strong black woman in a position of authority with an active sex life…and either she’s a stereotype or anyone who objects to it is a racist.
Captain Irony away!
PAD
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Hey, don’t look at me – I’m still trying to figure out if the Irony Watch is anything like the Infinity Gauntlet…
Honestly, I am a little surprised that any woman would think being a desired romantic interest by a male as degrading to a female in general.
I saw a woman being considered by her peers as a potential(kirk) and active(Spock) romantic interest for a change…is black.
Uhura is a ‘human’ black woman paired with an iconic ‘alien’ figure who has been portrayed by white males. This particular character has been viewed as unattainable by many. Desirable by many female fans of the series. For a Black woman to ‘get’ the vulcan Spock is monumental and the backlash to Uhura uncalled for. I saw chemistry between them, and always thought there was something there before the movie. It makes me wonder though would there have been such backlash had Spock been paired with a white woman like Nurse chapel? From the slashfandom likely, but there has been maliscious hate written towards Uhura’s character in quite a few non-slash fanfictions I have read. I find it appalling that we haven’t come all that far at all since the 60’s.
Let nurse chapel carry that I don’t need any man banner for those who need that image portrayed. I much prefer seeing a black woman finally get the amorous attention any other non-black woman would in sci-fi.