The roar started in 1966
February 24th 2008 13:00
In 1972 Helen Reddy sung "I am woman hear me roar" This was a reflection of the social changes that washed over the 1970s.
But if you look back to Star Trek a series starting in 1966 (financed by one of the most progressive women of her era Lucille Ball) a woman had a key role of responsibility on what was for all intents and purposes is a military vessel.
This was years ahead of its time and something that we geeks have always embraced. There has never been discomfort or consternation on behalf of geeks when we are presented with women in strong roles.
My two favorite female characters in sci - fi are Susan Ivanova form Babylon 5 and Kaylee from Firefly/Serenity. Two examples of powerful women on screen.
Lt Commander Susan Ivanova is a Russian Jew. A woman of responsibility, who can go toe to toe with any male character. She shows that a woman doesn't have to sacrifice her femininity to be in a position of power and responsibility. Ivanova could never be accused of being just a man with breasts.
Then on the other end of the spectrum we have Kaylee. This is a woman who has an earthy emotional core with a beautiful vulnerability. This is a character who could be lost in the victim mold, but she has a real strength of character and as the engineer is a woman of gears and grease. She is a character that shows a strength but does not sacrifice her vulnerability.
Importantly these characters are treated with respect by there peers.
Women embraced by geeks the world over, because we recognize that they are great characters. Full stop. Yes they are women and yes they have sex appeal, but we embrace them because they are more than just window dressing. They are fantastic three dimensional characters.
That is the thread that weaves through what we geeks want to see on screen. If the female characters aren't women of strength, able to hold there own on screen, then the story teller has got an uphill battle.
So I would like to raise a glass of Romulan Ale to Nichelle Nichols and all the woman of sci - fi. Long may you demonstrate that equality is the natural state of the universe.
But if you look back to Star Trek a series starting in 1966 (financed by one of the most progressive women of her era Lucille Ball) a woman had a key role of responsibility on what was for all intents and purposes is a military vessel.
This was years ahead of its time and something that we geeks have always embraced. There has never been discomfort or consternation on behalf of geeks when we are presented with women in strong roles.
My two favorite female characters in sci - fi are Susan Ivanova form Babylon 5 and Kaylee from Firefly/Serenity. Two examples of powerful women on screen.
Lt Commander Susan Ivanova is a Russian Jew. A woman of responsibility, who can go toe to toe with any male character. She shows that a woman doesn't have to sacrifice her femininity to be in a position of power and responsibility. Ivanova could never be accused of being just a man with breasts.
Then on the other end of the spectrum we have Kaylee. This is a woman who has an earthy emotional core with a beautiful vulnerability. This is a character who could be lost in the victim mold, but she has a real strength of character and as the engineer is a woman of gears and grease. She is a character that shows a strength but does not sacrifice her vulnerability.
Importantly these characters are treated with respect by there peers.
Women embraced by geeks the world over, because we recognize that they are great characters. Full stop. Yes they are women and yes they have sex appeal, but we embrace them because they are more than just window dressing. They are fantastic three dimensional characters.
That is the thread that weaves through what we geeks want to see on screen. If the female characters aren't women of strength, able to hold there own on screen, then the story teller has got an uphill battle.
So I would like to raise a glass of Romulan Ale to Nichelle Nichols and all the woman of sci - fi. Long may you demonstrate that equality is the natural state of the universe.
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