The Importance of Nyota Uhura

Castor Basa, Cartoonist
March 8, 2022

A four panel colored comic titled "The Importance of Nyota Uhura." The first panel shows officer Uhura at her communications desk. The caption reads, "The first important black female role on TV, 1966." The second panels shows Uhura smiling and speaking to officer Spock. The caption reads, "not a maid or a nanny - an officer on a starship!" The third panel shows Uhura shaking hands with Abraham Lincoln as Captain Kirk smiles next to them. The caption says, "she was an inspiration to black girls everywhere!" The last panel of the comic shows Nichelle Nichols, the actress who once played Uhura, as an elderly woman, smiling and showing the Vulcan salute. The background of this panel is the Starfleet badge giving off stripes of colors. The caption says, "Nyota Uhura remains a pillar of a future worth fighting for."
Written and illustrated by Castor Basa.

As black history month comes to an end, it’s important that we continue to remember the many pioneers of the past who so boldly went where no one had gone before. One woman, in particular, opened a previously non-existent door for black women on the silver screen. Nichelle Nichols as Nyota Uhura inspired many black women to reach for the stars.