William Shatner: ‘Star Trek’ Was ‘Not Political’
William Shatner has left many Star Trek fans dumbfounded by his recent statements regarding the “politics” of Trekkers’ favorite show.
In short, Captain Kirk does not believe the series was political at all in spite of these examples dug up by Donna Dickens of HitFix.
Here are the Captain’s exact words via his ultra-popular Twitter page. Take it away, Jim!
Star Trek wasn’t political. I’m not political; I can’t even vote in the US. So to put a geocentric label on interstellar characters is silly
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) July 23, 2015
It did not take long for fans and followers to correct the Shat on getting it wrong about the show that featured the very first interracial kiss on television. (One he was actually a part of!)
@RadicalRuss @WilliamShatner Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Vulcan Proverb “only Nixon could go to China” regarding Klingons — Nube40 (@TheColossus) July 23, 2015
@Kouban @WilliamShatner Sorry, but most science fiction tells stories of social issues…equality, class warfare, racism. I.e., political
— Camalita Lee Daniels (@Camie2007) July 23, 2015
@STYLEMOM @WilliamShatner Lol, It’s massively political to denote a utopian future based on shared exploration by all of earth — Ziggy (@mrjafri) July 24, 2015
@WilliamShatner I think Star Trek was political and gave us a glimpse of a future where transparency & equality mattered. ? that’s just me
— Alana Dill (@alanapaints) July 23, 2015
While William Shatner clearly didn’t have the time to address every detractor, he did make a special point for Aja Romano of the Daily Dot. Romano said that the “Star Trek isn’t political” comment “sounds so wholly unlike anything Shatner himself would say much less something his ghostwriter would f*** up” and alluded to the fact that whoever did tweet this for Shatner should be “sacked” (fired). He responded with this.
Obviously you do not know me and the person who should be “sacked” is yourself my dear. @dailydot https://t.co/SFL40oWefc — William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) July 24, 2015
This got Daily Dot editor Eric Geller involved.
@WilliamShatner @ajaromano @dailydot When did she say you should sack yourself?
— Eric Geller (@ericgeller) July 24, 2015
@ericgeller @ajaromano @dailydot pic.twitter.com/haoaYgFcJv
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) July 24, 2015
@WilliamShatner @ajaromano @dailydot I see, I see. Well I don’t see a need for sacking but I do see a need for recognizing ST was political.
— Eric Geller (@ericgeller) July 24, 2015
.@WilliamShatner yells at my colleague @ajaromano for pointing out that he’s wrong about Star Trek being apolitical. https://t.co/cbqyOhA4xr
— Eric Geller (@ericgeller) July 24, 2015
For now, the arguments seem to have cooled, but what do you think, readers? Is William Shatner right to say that Star Trek wasn’t political? Sound off in the comments section.
[Image via Blastr]
