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Lifestyle
Matthew Delmont

Behind that "Star Trek" interracial kiss

Nichelle Nichols Uhura Martin Lur King, Jr. NASA William Shatner Ebony NBC
Actors George Takei, James Doohan, Grace Lee Whitney, Nichelle Nichols, Stephen Collins, DeForest Kelley, Majel Barrett, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Persis Khambatta, Walter Koenig pose for a portrait during the filming of the movie "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" which was released December 27, 1979 in the United States. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

On a 1968 episode of "Star Trek," Nichelle Nichols, playing Lt. Uhura, locked lips with William Shatner's Capt. Kirk in what's widely thought to be first kiss between a Black woman and white man on American television.

The episode's plot is bizarre: Aliens who worship the Greek philosopher Plato use telekinetic powers to force the Enterprise crew to sing, dance and kiss. At one point, the aliens compel Lt. Uhura and Capt. Kirk to embrace. Each character tries to resist, but eventually Kirk tilts Uhura back and the two kiss as the aliens lasciviously look on.

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