He said, don't you understand what this man has achieved? For the first time, we are being seen the world over as we should be seen. And he said, what are you talking about? And I said, well, I told Gene just yesterday that I'm going to leave the show after the first year because I've been offered - and he stopped me and said: You cannot do that. And I'm going to miss my co-stars.Īnd his face got very, very serious. You are reflecting what we are fighting for. King, I wish I could be out there marching with you. I thanked him, and I think I said something like, Dr. He complimented me on the manner in which I'd created the character. By the time he reached me, he said, yes, Ms. Martin Luther King smiling at me and walking toward me. And I turn, and before I could get up, I looked across the way and there was the face of Dr. He says he is your greatest fan.Īnd I'm thinking a Trekker, you know. Nichols, there's someone who would like to meet you. And one of the promoters came over to me and said, Ms. And that - on Saturday night, I went to an NAACP fundraiser, I believe it was, in Beverly Hills. You're an integral part and very important to it. And he said, take the weekend and think about what I am trying to achieve here in this show. NICHOLS: I went in to tell Gene Roddenberry that I was leaving after the first season, and he was very upset about it. MARTIN: Well, tell us about that funny thing that happened. And I decided I was going to leave, go to New York and make my way on the Broadway stage. And as my popularity grew once the show was on the air, I was beginning to get all kinds of offers. To me, the highlight and the epitome of my life as a singer and actor and a dancer/choreographer was to star on Broadway. NICHOLS: Well, I grew up in musical theater. But you had actually planned to quit after your first season. An African-American woman fourth in command on a spaceship in the 23rd century, you know, an officer, a leader. MARTIN: Now, in hindsight, of course, you know, everybody recognizes that this was a groundbreaking role. NICHOLS: I am delighted to be here with you. And she is with us now to tell us more about it. And according to Nichelle Nichols' biography, he also played a pivotal role in setting the course for her career. NIMOY: I can think of no one better equipped to handle it, Ms. If it isn't done just right, I could blow the entire communications system. Spock, I haven't done anything like this in years. LEONARD NIMOY (Actor): (As Spock) Speed is essential, lieutenant. NICHOLS: (As Lieutenant Uhura) It should take another half hour. NICHELLE NICHOLS (Actor): (As Lieutenant Uhura) I'm connecting the bypass circuit now, sir. And if we've forgotten why we liked her so much, here's a clip. is that he was a Trekkie, a fan of the television show "Star Trek" - that according to Nichelle Nichols, the actress who played the groundbreaking role of Lieutenant Uhura on the popular series from 1966 to 1969 and in the movies that followed. In a moment, we'll hear from the legendary singer and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte, who admired King as a leader and also knew him as a friend.īut one of the things that might not be so well known about Martin Luther King, Jr. We're looking back and we're looking forward to talk about what that legacy still means. On this Martin Luther King Day, we are looking at the legacy of the civil rights leader. I'm Michel Martin, and this is TELL ME MORE, from NPR News.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |