10 Times Star Trek Predicted The Future

In 1966, Star Trek debuted and from the beginning, it showed a future where all races were equal. Only 21 years had passed since the nuclear strikes against Japan which ended the Second World War, which themselves had followed the forced relocation and interment of Japanese American citizens. Hikaru Sulu, as played by George Takei - himself a victim of that internment - sat on the bridge of the Enterprise, as equal as any other member of the crew.

The character of Uhura is, arguably, the biggest political statement that the Original Series made. She too was equal, both in terms of her race and gender. The scene depicted above, in which a representation of Abraham Lincoln visits the Enterprise and refers to her as a 'negress', only to be met with her questioning as to why that should be considered an offensive term - as humanity had outgrown its racial divides in the centuries that had passed.

While humanity has not as yet achieved that level of racial equality depicted in The Original Series, shows like Star Trek: Voyager were strides forward for gender equality, while Star Trek: Discovery now boasts the most diverse cast from any incarnation.

In 1966, the idea of an Afro-American President in the White House was still a dream of the future. In 2020, history can boast one that lasted for two terms.