Star Trek: Discovery is one of the most highly-anticipated TV shows of the last decade, and following in the footsteps of classic Star Trek franchise, looks like the latest installment is taking the next step all on its own.
Everywhere you look in Star Trek original series there are subtle affirmations of equality and inclusion, except for when it comes to accents. Accents seem to be reserved for aliens, villains and imbeciles. (Looking at you, Harry Mudd)
Human characters in Starfleet have a tendency to be anglicized when it comes to tongue-wagging, but Star Trek: Discovery might just change that with Michelle Yeoh’s character, star of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, who plays Captain Philippa Georgiou of the USS Shenzhou in the new series.
There have been female commanders and POC captains before, so you may be wondering why this is so special or why Georgiou is going to be a character with a far greater reach than you expect.
The starlet, who is Chinese Malaysian, speaks with her own prominent accent. She isn’t anglicized, she isn’t the villain, the freak or the fool. She is the head honcho and she will be a beacon for many people out there, who will inspire a generation of children by leading the way with her natural Asian accent.
What seems like a small step is a certainly a leap forward, with Star Trek really embracing the global population that Starfleet claims to represent. Whether it was Michelle Yeoh’s or the show runners’ idea, it is definitely a decision worthy of appreciation and applause.
Not only does it bring authenticity to the character, it further highlights how the franchise has embraced and nurtured diversity in the past decades, as well as an homage to the recent white-washing issue that has been circulating around Hollywood.
Watch the trailer above and tell us what you think ☺️
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