They Called Us Enemy

by

George Takei

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Star Trek (the Starship Enterprise) Symbol Analysis

Star Trek (the Starship Enterprise) Symbol Icon

As George Takei tells his story in They Called Us Enemy, he uses the television show Star Trek to represent an ideal vision for America, one where the racism that led to the Japanese internment camps during World War II doesn’t exist. Taking place on a spaceship (Enterprise) in the 23rd century, Star Trek follows the ship and its crew as they travel “where no man has gone before.” But Takei makes the case that when he talks about going “where no man has gone before,” he’s not just referring to the various planets the crew visits during each episode. In addition, Star Trek (which began to air in the mid-1960s), went where almost no television shows had gone before by featuring a cast that was, at the time, one of the most diverse on television. In the show Takei plays Sulu, a science officer—and unlike most roles for Asian men at the time, Sulu is competent and honorable. Takei brings up his time on Star Trek at various points throughout the memoir to illustrate how far the U.S. has come since World War II. This, he suggests, is yet more proof of the United States’ exceptionalism and the power of American democracy: it is possible for the country to admit its failings and mistakes and, ultimately, to get to a place where the diversity Star Trek portrays is no longer just fiction.

Star Trek (the Starship Enterprise) Quotes in They Called Us Enemy

The They Called Us Enemy quotes below all refer to the symbol of Star Trek (the Starship Enterprise). For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
American Democracy and Civic Engagement Theme Icon
).
They Called Us Enemy Quotes

Of course, I did get that role.

As Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu, I had the chance to represent my Asian heritage with honor...to millions of viewers on television...

And six times on the silver screen as (Lt.) Commander Sulu, eventually reaching the rank of captain.

But most importantly, my unexpected notoriety has allowed me a platform from which to address many social causes that need attention.

Related Characters: George Takei (speaker)
Related Symbols: Star Trek (the Starship Enterprise)
Page Number: 189
Explanation and Analysis:
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Star Trek (the Starship Enterprise) Symbol Timeline in They Called Us Enemy

The timeline below shows where the symbol Star Trek (the Starship Enterprise) appears in They Called Us Enemy. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
They Called Us Enemy
American Democracy and Civic Engagement Theme Icon
Racism and War Theme Icon
History and Education Theme Icon
...the audience he’ll never forget that moment. He explains that he’s a veteran of the starship Enterprise (a reference to Star Trek, the TV show that made Takei famous). On Enterprise, he... (full context)
Racism and War Theme Icon
History and Education Theme Icon
...thinks to ask what the title of the show is. It’s going to be called Star Trek . Fred admits the title is good, but he reminds George that they still have... (full context)