As a long-time Trekkie who grew up with a TV diet consisting of equal parts peanut butter sandwiches and Star Trek episodes, I can wholeheartedly agree with John Leguizamo’s sentiments about the lack of Latino representation in the early days of Star Trek. While it’s great to see The Doctor himself, Robert Picardo, acknowledging the issue, let’s not forget that even a spaceship needs an occasional oil change.
The essence of “Star Trek” is built upon the foundations of diversity and inclusivity. This series is rooted in the concept of “IDIC,” which means “Variety without end in endless combinations.” It’s frequently praised for telling compelling stories that resonate with underrepresented groups. However, no one is perfect, and it’s been noticed that the franchise had limited Latino representation during its initial phases. This issue was brought up by John Leguizamo, and even Robert Picardo, who starred in “Voyager,” acknowledged this lack of representation.
Speaking as a longtime fan of “Star Trek” who enjoyed the series well before streaming services like Paramount+ made viewing more convenient, I believe they might have overlooked some characters from the early seasons. However, I firmly stand by the overall relevance and importance of their message. For those unfamiliar with the 2024 Emmy winners’ speeches, particularly that of the “Spawn” veteran, here’s a brief summary of what transpired.
John Leguizamo Commented On Star Trek Lacking Latino Representation In Its Early Years
hey there! I, as a gamer and passionate advocate for diversity, recently echoed John Leguizamo’s heartfelt words at the Emmys. I spoke up about the need for further progress in representation, especially recalling the limited depictions I saw on TV when I was growing up. Surprisingly, I couldn’t help but mention Star Trek, pointing out that the series could have done better in terms of Latino representation. To put it simply, I said: “Star Trek, you missed a beat there, my friends.
In the past, I would watch Star Trek and remark, “Amazing, in the future there won’t seem to be any Latino individuals.” However, at least the cuisine will be unappetizing then.
Hey, it’s a fair criticism to make in the most general sense, even if not entirely inaccurate. Naturally, a rousing speech like this wasn’t going to slide by without at least one Star Trek vet responding, and of course, it had to be one of the actors who played one of the best Trek characters.
Robert Picardo Responds, Citing Voyager As The First The Feature A Half-Latino Main Character
Robert Picardo, taking on The Doctor/EMH role once more as part of the cast for “Starfleet Academy“, commended John Leguizamo for his constructive criticism towards the “Star Trek” series. Additionally, he acknowledged a fellow “Voyager” cast member in his reply, highlighting the lengthy wait for the franchise to present a character of Latino descent.
Indeed, Robert Picardo’s primary point seems to be emphasizing that B’Elanna Torres is a prominent character in the Star Trek: Voyager cast, and moreover, it marks the first instance where a Latino actor, Roxann Dawson, portrays a main character who also identifies as Latina.
In these productions – like “The Wrath of Khan” with Ricardo Montalbán and “Voyager” featuring Robert Beltran – actors of Mexican heritage took on leading roles. Interestingly, the characters they portrayed were not explicitly labeled or defined by their ethnicity.
It’s worth mentioning that Latino characters were present in “Star Trek” prior to B’Elanna Torres, and here are some examples of characters who appeared before her on “Voyager”, along with another character from the series.
- Esteban Rodríguez (Star Trek: The Original Series)
- José I. Mendez (Star Trek: The Original Series)
- Sonya Gómez (Star Trek: The New Generation)
- Ayala (Star Trek: Voyager)
Besides Discovery’s Hugh Culber and Erica Ortegas from Strange New Worlds, there are other noteworthy instances as well. I am thrilled about Erica Ortegas’ return in Season 4 of SNW and any future Star Trek projects she is involved in. Additionally, it’s important to touch upon some historical aspects relevant to her character.
In the unseen pilot for “Star Trek,” titled “The Cage,” I found myself captivated by a character named Jose Tyler, who was later introduced in the series. Interestingly, it’s been reported by sources like ScreenRant that this character was initially intended to be named Jose Ortegas. This tidbit of information has sparked speculation among fans like me, as we ponder if there might be a familial connection between Jose Tyler and Erica Ortegas, given that they both share the role of pilots in the starship.
Indeed, Latinos have been part of the franchise from the beginning, but it’s only right to acknowledge that their representation could have been more prominent. With this in mind, let’s hope for a greater focus on Ortega’s stories in Season 3, rather than risking his character’s life again.
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2024-09-16 22:08