Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations: Portraits of Individuals With Disabilities in Star Trek Terry L. Shepherd An Article Published in TEACHING Exceptional Children Plus Volume 3, Issue 6, July 2007 Copyright © 2007 by the author. This work is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution License. Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations: Portraits of Individuals With Disabilities in Star Trek Terry L. Shepherd Abstract Weekly television series have more influence on American society than any other form of media, and with many of these series available on DVDs, television series are readily ac- cessible to most consumers. Studying television series provides a unique perspective on society’s view of individuals with disabilities and influences how teachers and peers view students with disabilities. Special education teachers can use select episodes to differenti- ate between the fact and fiction of portrayed individuals with disabilities with their stu- dents, and discuss acceptance of peers with disabilities. With its philosophy of infinite diversity in infinite combinations, Star Trek has portrayed a number of persons with dis- abilities over the last forty years. Examples of select episodes and implications for special education teachers for using Star Trek for instructional purposes through guided viewing are discussed. Keywords videotherapy, disabilities, television, bibliotherapy SUGGESTED CITATION: Shepherd, T.L. (2007). Infinite diversity in infinite combinations: Portraits of individuals with disabilities in Star Trek. TEACHING Exceptional Children Plus, 3(6) Article 1. Retrieved [date] from http://escholarship.bc.edu/education/tecplus/vol3/iss6/art1 "Families, societies, cultures -- A Reflection of Society wouldn't have evolved without com- For the last fifty years, television has passion and tolerance -- they would been a reflection of American society, but it have fallen apart without it." -- Kes to also has had a substantial impact on public the Doctor (Braga, Menosky, & attitudes. Television has addressed racial is- Singer, 1997). sues through casting the first black actor in a starring role (Bill Cosby in I Spy, 1965 – Television has always been a powerful 1968), the first interracial kiss (Captain Kirk medium. Television can entertain, inform, and kisses Uhura in Star Trek, 1967), and ridicul- educate. As with motion pictures, it can influ- ing racism (All in the Family, 1971 – 1983); ence the way we think and how we perceive challenged the Vietnam War (M*A*S*H, things. Often, in life, it does not matter how 1971 – 1982); and promoted feminism (The things really are, but how they are perceived. Mary Tyler Moore Show, 1973 – 1980). Of- This is especially true how individuals with ten, television served as the only source on disabilities are perceived in the media. With the nature of disabilities for many Americans, the increasing numbers of students with dis- and very few television series feature indi- abilities entering the general education class- viduals with disabilities. Dennis Weaver por- room, this media-induced perception of dis- abilities influence how teachers and peers trayed a deputy with a physical disability view students with disabilities. For example, (Chester Goode on Gunsmoke, 1955 – 1964). Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man (1988) accu- Gene Sheldon played a deaf mute (Bernardo, rately portrays an individual with autism. His manservant of Don Diego De La Vega in character repeats or echoes what he hears Zorro, 1957 – 1959). Raymond Burr played a from other people (echolalia), and he is resis- paraplegic (Robert T. Ironside in Ironside, tant to change. However, Rain Man has sa- 1967 – 1975). vant syndrome, an unusual condition in which Even fewer television series have ac- extraordinary abilities are displayed. In this tors with disabilities portraying individuals case, Rain Man has remarkable mathematical with disabilities. In one of the earliest por- abilities. Because of this movie, teachers and trayals on a television series, Susan Peters peers may think that all students with autism played a female attorney in a wheelchair in have some exceptional ability, and may look Miss Susan (1951). The real actress, Susan for this “unfound genius” (Safran, 1998a; Sa- Peters, was paralyzed from the waist down fran, 1998b). Unlike movies shown in theaters, from a spinal injury. Linda Bove, a deaf per- which are viewed occasionally by consumers, former, played Linda, a deaf librarian work- television series have more influence on ing on Sesame Street (1976 - present). She American society because they are weekly would be the first of many individuals with events and are readily accessible to most con- disabilities to walk on Sesame Street (King- sumers. With many television series available sley, 1996). Chris Burke, an individual with on DVDs, special education teachers can use Down syndrome, played Charles "Corky" select episodes to differentiate between the Thatcher, a likable 18-year-old with Down fact and fiction of portrayed individuals with syndrome in Life Goes On (1989), and as an disabilities with their students, and discuss angel with Down syndrome in Touched by an acceptance of peers with disabilities within Angel (1994 – 2004). However, no television the special education classroom. series has consistently portrayed individuals with disabilities as major characters as Star have what he wants when he wants it. The Trek. concept that sometimes things do not go the Throughout its numerous incantations, way one would like is difficult for many chil- a focal point of the Star Trek universe has dren with emotional and behavior disorders, been the acceptance and tolerance of those and Kirk tries to explain it to Charles. who are different. It is the first television show to have an interracial kiss (between Kirk: "Charlie, there are a million Captain James T. Kirk and Lieutenant Nyota things in this universe you can Uhura) and to have an inter-species (interra- have and there are a million cial) character in Spock, who was half-human things you can't have. It's no fun and half-Vulcan. A number of episodes facing that, but that's the way throughout its forty years have showcased things are." individuals with various disabilities. Many of these episodes presented acceptance of indi- Charles: "Then what am I going to do?" viduals with disabilities, and a few episodes Kirk: "Hang on tight. And survive. Every- have shown the objectionable intolerance oth- body does" (Fontana, Roddenberry, ers have for those who are different. & Dobkin, 1966). Disabilities in Star Trek Unfortunately, Charles does not have the time to learn the lessons. He is irrational, Emotional Disturbance defies authority, and harms others. Before 17-year-old Charles Evans is the lone Charles can destroy the Enterprise, the Tha- survivor when the ship he was on crashed on sian show up to take him back to Tharus. the planet Thasus when he was three years Charles pleads with the Enterprise crew to let old. Raised by non-corporeal beings called him stay. Understanding the nature of Char- the Thasian, Charles is provided with psy- les’ disability, Kirk tries to reason with the chokinetic powers to survive. He is eventually Thasian. He even suggests an individualized rescued, but because he is raised in isolation, plan to educate and train Charles. he has severe difficulties behaving according to societal expectations. Charles meets three Charles: “Please. I want to go with you. of the criteria for emotional disturbance. He Help me.” has an inability to build or maintain appropri- ate relationships with peers and adults. Char- Kirk: “The boy belongs with his own les does not get along with anyone, with the kind.” exception of Captain Kirk, who momentarily Thasian: “That will be impossible.” is a father figure to the teenager. He displays inappropriate behaviors or feelings under Kirk: “With training, we can teach him normal circumstances, and has sent away to live in our society. If he can be people who laugh at him or do not return his taught not to use his powers…” amorous affections. Finally, Charles displays a general mood of unhappiness or depression. Thasian: “We gave him the power so he He does not understand why no one likes him, could live. He will use it always, and he does not understand why he cannot and he would destroy you and your kind, or you would be forced to destroy him to save McCoy: “I’m sorry, Miranda, but you yourselves.” must be realistic. You are blind, and there are some things you Kirk: “Is there nothing you can do?” simply cannot do.” Thasian: “We offer him life. And we will Spock: “Evidently, a highly sophisti- take care of him.” cated sensor web. My compli- ments to you, and to your dress- Unfortunately, many children like maker.” Charles are placed in self-contained class- rooms or other restricted environments. Chil- Kirk: “Yes, of course. It’s the only rea- dren with emotional and behavior disorders sonable explanation. You can’t are four times as likely as other students with see, and Kollos can’t hurt you.” disabilities to be educated in separate public facilities or separate private facilities (Brad- Spock: “An elegant solution. But I fail ley, Henderson, & Monfore, 2004). The diffi- to understand why you appar- culty lies in understanding the characteristics ently try to conceal your blind- and nature of a child with emotional and be- ness, Dr. Jones.” havior disorders, and with our attitudes and Kirk: “I think I understand. You said it. perceptions toward individuals with disabili- Pity is the worst of all.” ties. Jones: “Pity…which I hate” (Aroeste & Visual Impairments Senensky, 1968). The Enterprise picks up Kollos, a Medusan ambassador whose race is techno- ! The lessons leaned include under- logically sophisticated, but whose appearance standing a person’s strength and needs. The can make humans insane. Dr. Miranda Jones Medusans have skills in technology and navi- is a telepath who will try to mind-meld with gation, but cannot be looked upon by the na- Kollus and bring Medusan technology to the ked human eye.