Oh My! How George Takei fought the bigots -- and won
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- Опубликовано: 15 апр 2023
- Star Trek’s Mister Sulu: The galaxy’s greatest helmsman, captain, and swordfighter. Although the future depicted by Star Trek is one of peace and freedom, for most of his life George Takei’s reality was the exact opposite. But like his character, George refused to take unfair treatment lying down. First as an actor and then as an activist, he took on some of the most powerful people and institutions in the world in a fight against inequality. And not only was he successful beyond his wildest dreams, but his journey from concentration camp, to space, to a real-life fight for civil rights helped push the world ever closer to a brighter future that was once the stuff of science fiction.
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Fun story about the interracial kiss: When it was being filmed, they still weren't sure if they actually wanted to show the kiss. So they filmed a take where there was no kiss. They were going to decide later which take to actually use. But Shatner purposefully made a weird face during the take without the kiss, totally ruining it, so they had no option of using that take. Only the camera man could see what Shatner had done and he kept quiet.
Unsung heroes
Cameraman you have my respects 🫡
The way Nichelle Nichols told the story, they did SO MANY takes without kissing, and Shatner fucked up every single one, so they had to keep retaking them until they ran out of studio time, leaving them with only the kiss take
@@gingganggoolie Fascinating! Thanks for sharing.
This isn't how Shatner describes it in his autobiography
In the episode where Sulu became a swashbuckler, the writers originally wanted Takei to be a samurai. Not wanting to perpetuate the stereotype of asian people being katana masters, he suggested the change to a musketeer personality because he knew fencing. The writers loved it and changed the script. Takei actually didn't know how to fence and crammed as many fencing lessons he could schedule before filming to not look stupid in front of everyone.
That’s an impressive commitment to avoiding stereotypes. Well done, George!
AWESOME!!!
He fooled me. I was a kid when I first saw that episode and I was convinced that he was a fencing swashbuckler.
Oh wow
I wonder if fencing is included in The Next Generation because of Mr. Sulu.
Massive shoutout to Gene Roddenbery for intentionally creating a diverse cast! He purposefully wanted Sulu’s character to be ambiguously Asian, so Asians of many cultures could relate to him.
He included a mixed race person second in command, a black woman in a position of authority, a Russian, a Scotsman (apparently that was a big deal at the time). Just incredible!!!!!!
Edit: it’s so heartbreaking to hear that the interracial kiss almost got the show cancelled
As much as I kind of hate Shatner for certain things he does nowadays, I have to give him props, that kiss only aired at all because they were supposed to do one take with the kiss and one take without it because the network hadn't decided whether to include it or not, he purposefully messed up all the takes without the kiss by doing things like crossing his eyes and other things like that so they couldn't cut it. Major props to him for thinking it was a big enough deal to make sure it made it on the air, by hook or by crook.
Many southern states blocked that episode entirely too lmao
@@petrify4814 Well, Shatner grew up in Canada; he didn't have time for that southern segregated crap.
I attended a lecture by James Doohan once where he talked about Roddenberry letting him pick the chief engineer's background (Doohan's very good at accents), and he asked to be Scottish because of the historical connection between Scots and engineering (e.g. James Watt's work on steam engines).
Roddenberry also had a female first officer in the original pilot, but the network forced him to cut her character after that. Roddenberry had to make a lot of compromises to get and keep Star Trek on the air, but his partial victories paved the way for the progress beyond it that we've made since.
That's the beauty of relatively free expression in popular culture and the arts.
We can put our issues out there on the stage and give all of it some air.
Of course, there will be some discord.
National conversations are prompted in areas where we've been stuck, and then we can move forward.
It's a normal pattern of human social progress.
Note then that progress can frequently occur in the manner of two steps forward and one step back, over and over.
They never taught us about the camps in school. It was only hearing about George's experiences when I was an adult that introduced me to that part of our history.
We learned about them but I distinctly remember their facilities being described favorably (for some reason specifically the fact they, supposedly, had basketball courts?), really playing down the fact they were literally *imprisoned there* 🤦🏼♂️
Really? What state did you go to school in?
Happened here in Canada with Japanese internment camps and we definitely didn't learn about them in school. (There were over 22,000 Japanese Canadians interned in British Columbia.) I learned about Asian Canadian history and their lived experiences from my friends' grandparents and other relatives. Same with our Indigenous peoples - what little was taught in school turned out to be incorrect and it got romanticized. 😕
In Australia we were taught about them as in Australia we had them too, POW and Asian descent.
My grandma talked about it. There was a Japanese farmer that used to give her and the local kids rides to school in his truck that was taken. She remembers how awful it was. I learned about it more from her.
Thank you for using the term "concentration camp". We need to own our history.
A camp for the concentration and control of a "undesirable" part of the population can only be called that. The 'internment camp' name was whitewashing - "Oh, we're not like *them*"
Given the term is now used interchangeably with extermination camp, I’d say it’s revisionism not owning. Of course this assumes you subscribe to language is evolving concept
@@George_M_ To be fair, Mr. Takei spent many years insisting on the term "internment camp". There's a video here (just audio unfortunately) of George on Howard Stern's show in the '90s where someone says, "So you were in a concentration camp?" and George quickly corrects him and says, "Internment camp, not concentration camp, they're different things". I assume because concentration camp has been traditionally understood to be a place where the internees are systematically killed.
@@spelcheak "Of course this assumes you subscribe to language is evolving concept" what does that mean? language does evolve, words meanings change and are added to.
@@spelcheak
"Given the term is now used interchangeably with extermination camp"
You mean by laymen who don't realize there's a difference? History classes and media made about the holocaust tend to point out the differences. Regardless seems like a weird hangup.
"Of course this assumes you subscribe to language is evolving concept"
Ah yes, I'm sure you use awful as it's original intended use, to describe somethings the fills you with awe. Or terrific, something that inspires terror?
When I was a teenager in the 80s, I was a shameless nerd and my history teacher knew I loved Star Trek. He sometimes had casual discussions with his students in which he would mention things about history that weren't taught in the state curriculum. He asked me if I knew anything about the actor who played Sulu, and I said I didn't, and he very casually said "did you know he was in the concentration camps in the 40s?" I was so confused, as my first thought was about German concentration camps, but I went home and asked my dad, and he sighed and sat down and made me sit down, too. This was my cue that this was a serious discussion. He took me to the library in our town so I could read about it. I think I was 14 at the time. I was so shocked... it never occurred to me this could happen in America. It really woke me up. I'm not the biggest fan of George Takei, but I have great respect for what he did to bring awareness to important matters.
Shit, you're the second American to not have learned about this in school on here! We also did this in Canada and we learned about it when I was a teen in the 80s. Canadian kids now also will learn about Residential Schools where we reeducated the First Nations, took them from their parents, the US did it too! All these nuts like DeSantis want to whitewash history, don't let them!
I hope your father also told you about Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s and how he destroyed lives, and Jim Crow laws and the KKK.
If you have time after that study how the USA keeps funding and arming dictators in Latin America, then sending in our young soldiers to take them out.....Noriega comes to mind.
It’s strange that people call Russia action in Ukraine genocide, but for some reason refuse to call the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki genocide
@@LarryWater don't try to "whataboutism" WWII. The difference is 70 years, we know better now and the purpose was to end the war not annex the country. Take your Russian talking points and shove em!
@@gaywizard2000bro you are literally doing the reverse of the other commenter. You are just using talking points fed to you by American education and media. Not saying the nukes weren’t dropped to end the war, but believing that it was the only option is a gross misunderstanding of a complex situation. There were potentially better avenues to take and it is ok to recognize that.
George Takei is a gem, in any meaning of the word. He lived through so much hate, racism and inequality and still came out on top and is one of the nicest and most compassionate human beings on this planet. It is very sad that he had to hide himself from the world for so long, but now he shines brighter than most of us and he keeps on fighting. We need so many more people like him.
Yup. We need more to stand up against the increasing abuse being done to more and more people. How many Americans remember how black soldiers, after risking their lives for this country that provided them with so little, returned to the South and were lynched if they were uppity, absolutely no thanks for their service. Harry Belefonte recalled that years ago. Americans tend to overrate this crappy country and never mention its history of injustice.
I just love him for all those reasons, and I always will.
❤️ 😊❤
Despite not being American or Japanese, or gay or an actor... (etc.!), I have always held him in the highest regard. And as the years have gone on, and as I've learned more about him, I've thought even more. He's such an awesome gent with a spine of titanium, and with a beautiful sense of humour.
On top of being so awesome, he's found the time to make other people's lives. I'm so glad that he found his happy ending ❤️❤️❤️
Sure is a lot of things you're not!
I love him so much as well. Please ignore Gay Wizard, seems like a fuckin ding dong.
@@pandamandimax get a sense of humour! Everyone is such a thin skinned head case all the time.
America is a culture factory and be sure that wherever you're at you'll find people buying and trading in it, for better and for worse.
@@dr.velious5411 wtf?
“now you can call me ‘husband’” brought tears to my eyes. just two lil old guys in a loving marriage is so wholesome to see amidst this new wave of bigotry in america. heals the soul.
Yeah, I was full on crying by the end!
Watching this as a terrified trans girl in Missouri, hearing George's story was an immensely comforting reminder that things can get better. Thank you so much for sharing that today.
Stay strong. Stay safe. And please know there are many people who are fighting for you out there. ❤
Hey, trans solidarity :-) 🏳️⚧️ stay strong out there girl! We have to see it through to ever become our authentic selves I suppose. Much care from Europe
Love and solidarity from a Canadian trans-masc! Just know that if things get too bad down there, a lot of us north of the border are lobbying our government hard to grant refugee status to LGBTQ Americans, particularly trans folk. I've already helped one trans woman move here safely, so I know it can be done! ❤🧡💛💚💙💜🏳⚧🏳🌈🏴☠
Even as a stranger, you are cared about. Keep strong and know that you always matter!
#o you have a bawbag0
I'm so thrilled to enjoy one of these documentaries while the subject individual is still with us! There's usually at least a small element of sadness when you realize or remember the person isn't.
I'm always scared when an actor or someone I enjoy features in these coz that's usually been how I find out they died 😂😅😢
@@ShockingPikachu same! I saw this video and was like “no no no no” and went straight to the comments to make sure I hadn’t somehow missed a major event 😂
But George Takei is doing good, so we’re all doing good.
Yeah, these are awesome.
One of the most outrageous things in my experience is that tue very same people that have balked at masks, and social distancing, and basic hygiene as being infringements worth overthrowing the government, those people seemingly unanimously defend the concentration camps as not being all that bad, because they weren't extermination camps, because as they like to say, more people came out than went in.
Imagine being so calous and so up your own as as to think wearing a mask is a horrific injustice while being removed from your home at gunpoint just isn't so bad.....
George just celebrated his 86th birthday.
I'm not from the US, but I wasn't aware of these concentration camps, or that part of George Takei's life. What a great documentary this was, of a great man. He's a legend.
@@StanCat4 -- The terminology makes absolutely no difference Karen. The fact remains: the US government "concentrated" hundreds of thousands of its own citizens into "concentration camps" (or "detainment camps" if you prefer; or prisons) without due process of law or recourse -- all because of their race and ethnicity and the fear of the majority. It was the single greatest act of racism conducted by the government since slavery was legal, and the single worst act of the FDR presidency. Thank God George Takei and others are keeping this history alive for future generations to learn from. Concentration camps, indeed.
@@StanCat4
Jeez, a Karen would say that. Maybe need to be sent to a camp to help you to concentrate better.
just to be aware- these internment 'camps' also occurred in Canada...sigh. (i am Canadian), but at least we were taught about them in school- back in my school days anyway, 1970-80's.
These camps are still happening today at the southern border, nazis used this technique to round up jews, they used the same chemicals we used against minorties in the south. Today we still have inhumane conditions, living in freezing temperatures, s*xual assault, r*pe. Theres nothing these people can do, they have no rights, children get separate from family and are rarely re-united.
@Kmg G - another Canadian here -- raised in B.C. I'm not remembering being taught about the camps; I'm slightly older than you (graduated high school '79). It may be that some teachers were more invested in full truth than others... ?
I know this episode isn't about Nimoy, but I have even more love & respect for him because of it.
As the son of Jewish immigrants, he had some understanding of what it was like to be othered.
Also remember Lucille Ball and Desi arnez for producing Star Trek. I believe Desi was the driving force in the decision as he was discriminated for being Cuban
@@mikehlavinka2964 It was Lucy, actually.
I love George Takei's speaking voice. He always sounds like he's reciting Shakespeare :-)
Would it not be lovely to have a President with that voice.
Oh myyy!
❤️ 💙 💜 ❤️ 💙 💜
George and Brad are just such couple goals. I'm so teary. Seriously angry at the supreme court for threatening same sex marriage in the same breath in which they reversed Roe v. Wade.
Yes they will likely overturn it
@@rachelgarber1423 Wrong, Obergefell v Hodges it is written very well and firmly written, constitutionally speaking…It rests on the Substantive due process AND Equal protection clause. The only justice that said they wanted to overturn it was Justice Thomas.
Roe v Wade wasn’t very strongly written, and had been on conservatives radar for decades.
Glad we move away from killing the unborn, too bad people can’t see the errors of the past in their own actions and beliefs, continuing to dehumanize other humans.
The good news is that it prompted Congress to repeal DOMA (1996) with the Respect for Marriage Act (2022).
Yes. We've wasted enough time with these sexual deviants already.
I always liked George Takei whenever he popped up in things i was watching. While Star Trek was his biggest role of his career i remember him first appearing in Heroes being Hiro Nakamura's dad teaching him sword fighting and him having a powerful presence in the small amount of time he was in the series. His Big Bang Theory appearances were cool nods as well as funny. He has been through so much in his life and seems like a lovely man
I don't remember a lot of Heroes despite watching all of it, but I do remember George Takei's role. Specifically, his video will to Hiro telling him not to look somewhere, only for Hiro to immediately do it and find another tape scolding him for that.
What a voice!
Oh boy...his role in Heroes... yeah sad, the show only had 3 seasons...
But I just realised...if the world were more accepting, back then...we could have had the "Uhura distraction dance" performed by lieutenant Sulu...
@@AskanHelstroem heroes had 4 seasons
@@Venemofthe888 NO!!! NO it had just 3!!!
just 3 seasons...
(it was season 4 which killed the series, in my opinion)
George Takei is important to so many people, but he means so much to my family with 3 generations of Japanese American science geeks and especially for me. For those who question why representation matters so much, it's because George Takei is the only mainstream celebrity who is, like me, Japanese American and queer. Me and my dad saw him in person at a comic con panel talk and he talked about many of the experiences mentioned in this video, and in that instant I finally knew what it was like to look up to someone like me and know that if he can make it in the entertainment industry in the 60's then I can do it now.
Well said, Spookycore. Thanks for telling your story. 🤝🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
👏👏👏
I teach TV History at a film school. Matt, your videos are invaluable! A moving testament to LGBT history and overall human rights. Today's generation (thankfully) can take SO much for granted without any awareness of how much blood had feared has gone into the substance of what we have the luxury to see as everyday freedom. And YET there are REPUBLICANS who want to claw back this freedom. As a straight white guy, I don't have a personal stake in this battle but it's a battle ALL OF US MUST CONTINUE TO FIGHT.
George T is an amazing role model on so many levels - as a person, as an activist and as a human being. I have had the great honour of meeting him a couple of times -- so charming and charismatic in person. It would be SO EASY for him to have become hardened and bitter given the brutality he faced for both his race and his sexuality - things he CANNOT CHANGE. And yet he has become a role model for both - and so much more.
I disagree that LGBTQ rights can be taken for granted for our generation. In 10 years we might see the end of Lawrence v. Texas.
Your post was riveting but i disagree. Conservatives see the binary order of good vs bad as the one organizing the world and thus being heterosexual means that the negative is homosexuality. This helps both galvanize internal support as much as shape external boundaries of who is the enemy... the lgbtq movement had relented its strategically wise and incremental progress in favor of blatant "no boundaries" (as in no genders) fluid in-your-face approach... Matt Baum's videos are important to portray how the progression was made and effected art and reality... but we should be aware of the all-out war.
@@ahboaz The straw-manning both you and Rick do regarding what you "believe" is the Conservative position is why the modern world is such a mess. Shame on both of you.
@@nonyabusiness-rl9qm if you are true to your name, then it's none of ya business what we think and do... so shame on you! And if you do want to poke your nose into others' business, then do it right. Since conservatives value liberties (until it conflicts their views), freedom of speech is part of how democracy works. So please explain why you think we are wrong and persuade us. Otherwise, you are just hollering and honkering without substance.
@@ahboaz If you want to go around straw manning others views then you deserve to be called out for it.
From your comment about "binary order" you simply illustrate your ignorance of the diversity of conservative opinion.
I'm just calling out your ignorance.
It's OK to be biased but when you define others positions to suit your own bias you are straw manning. Simple.
I met George as a child and got his autograph not even knowing who he was, and not realizing what an important icon he would become for me later on. Both as a Star Trek fan and as a gay man. He is definitely a treasure.
If one day his portrait is placed in the National Gallery, I don't think that would be too much, really. ❤😊
George Takei is a hero. No matter what he's done as an adult, he's been heroic to legions of people. And yeah, he's definitely a gay icon of the greatest stature.
LOL...hes just a whiny little bee-atch. Get over it.
@@Nat3_H1gg3rs Ratio
@@Nat3_H1gg3rs He's not a hero because of his sexuality. He's a hero because he fought against oppression. Completely irrational oppression based on his and others sexuality. This is what he did as an adult. (Actually, I don't understand OPs "No matter what he's done as an adult")
@@brdrnda3805 he’s been accused of sexual assault, the accuser retracted. But he also said some suspicious things on Howard Stern.
@@ervin7178 searched and found... thank you
As an autistic I could never hide my non conformities and I can tell you that the tension of enduring constant discrimination and predjudice is really quite horrid. it has had a large part of my failure to thrive.
Having to continually mask is absolutely exhausting. Trying to explain to people that, while I can appear very socially adept and seem like I really love being in big social situations, it's simply because I'm a talented pretender. I get ya.
To be clear on that point, it isn't that I don't sincerely enjoy others, knowing them and their personalities and having friends. It's that when it becomes more than just smaller interactions in small groups, there are inevitably ppl there you don't know, who you feel you can't be your autistic ADD self around. So you do "the dance", appearing to be happy and extroverted, then while desperately also longing for the moment you can retreat back to a situation you're not masking in, and when you can retreat, you need days to recover sometimes, just silently be alone.
autism awareness needs to be taught in schools - the sheer lack of public understanding towards the condition is shocking, not helped by the culture of ableism fostered on the internet, and not nearly as looked down upon or punished for as homophobia and racism (though they're all issues that persist and need to be shut down)
i'm sorry you're dealing with this shit, we're in this together 🫂
I had the great honor of singing at his wedding reception. He and Brad are both very sweet.
As a child, I also attended a couple of field trips to orchestral introduction performances that George narrated. I thanked him for that because they were genuinely very cool events. He was extraordinarily gracious about it even though I'm not sure he really knew what I was talking about (I'm sure I explained it badly, as I still do).
I was lucky enough to have a teacher in grammar school who was Japanese American, who had grown up in Hawaii. She was young enough to not have been in in the camps, but her parents and other relatives told her all about it, and she passed those stories to her students. That always stuck with me and became extremely influential to my understanding of US history.
I love it when history teachers make sure to tell such stories. It makes it real and relavant. ❤
I first watched George Takei when I was a little girl and saw him when Star Trek premiered. I was lucky enough to see him perform in London in his musical, Allegiance a few weeks ago. It was so wonderful and allowed me to realize a dream to see him perform in person. The musical was filled with meaning and so beautiful about a very shameful time in American history. He is an amazing person - thanks for featuring him!
George is one of those people I'd like to walk up to, shake his hand and say, "Thank you".
His existence has improved the lives of many and has improved America overall.
So, thank you George.
I've met him twice at his public speaking events. A very impressive man.
Yes!!!!!!!!!!
I don't e get star struck but I was working a small coffee shop in a tourist theatre town in Southern Ontario, Canada, when Takei and his future husband walked in and I was serving them... I was in shock and awe, stuttered and blurted out with eyes as wide as saucers "You're Sulu!" I was a mess and he and his husband were very kind and patient with me. Kind, humble and nice people.
George has been thru so much and still such a calm and pleasant person. This is what heroes are made of.
Yes, please! What a great difference it could have made for so many kids growing up realizing they were gay, and what a difference for gay adults coming out, that it could have made if we could have had open acknowledgement of gay people both as story characters and real life actors, authors, singers, etc. Growing up, I never knew three of my Star Trek heroes, in front of and behind the camera, were gay men. It might have helped me as a kid (born a few months before Star Trek premiered). -- But they DID help me, even though I didn't know until I was well into adulthood that they were gay. They were good role models and artists, for me growing up, before I had any idea they were gay. How thankful I am that they could create art (acting and writing and costume design). Sulu's oiled chest swashbuckling scene, talking to that moving plant Beauregard, many others, and his performance in the Green Berets, fantastic. Thank you, George.
That is why it is so necessary to defy Republicans so that the next generation sees gay people in all walks of life. I am gay and 83 and bigots still insist we don't live long. Also I worked in aerospace for 40years and took part in several iconic missions that the world knows about. So gay people can do anything. My husband and i got married only days after marriage was possible in California. It does matter.
Growing up as a kid in the 80s, I used to watch reruns of Star Trek with my mom. And my favorite characters were and still are Bones and Sulu. I have loved George Takei since the 80s, and he is a world treasure. I am currently reading his graphic novel with my 14 year old autistic child, it is wonderful, and I highly recommend it.
I met George Takei in the early 2000s when I was consulting with the Japanese-American National Museum. We had a conference called Camp Connections that brought internees together for the first time since they were released from the camps. It was very moving listening to him talking about his experience as a child in the camps. He was very cool.
Yes, I'm proud to say that Massachusetts was the FIRST state to recognize marriage equality!!! My husband, our young (at the time...now they're in their 20s) children, and I joined our UU church in a protest against inequality in our Massachusetts town. Shortly after equal marriage became law, my family and I went to several same-sex weddings! My children are so accepting of everyone because we wanted to normalize LOVE IS LOVE! I'm so grateful for that!
The way its going in the US you might find yourself in a concentration camp soon!
UU for the win! It's the only religious organization I have ever felt a real sense of genuine, non judgemental community as a part of. It doesn't feel like it's all about appearing pious, it's about actually embracing the acknowledgement of other people's ideas, needs, beliefs, and lives. It's always felt like the one true iteration of every other major religion's spoken ideal- to love one another.
I read They Called Us Enemy, and have such a debt of gratitude to George for teaching something so difficult in a way that I could really understand
13:50 Leonard Nimoy standing up for other minorities. King shit. Kol hakavod.
may he be of blessed memory!
Right!? I've been listening to his albums on Spotify, what a trip!
What a treasure of a man.
I'm a big fan of the musical that George helped create called Allegiance (which he starred in too!) and it's so cool to learn how much one of the main characters was based on his father's attitude and activism in the concentration camp!
I'm still gobsmacked that Takei voiced Masumi Arakawa in Yakuza: Like A Dragon! One of my favorite games in recent years, and his voice acting performance definitely doesn't disappoint whatsoever.
George Takei is unapologetically badass. The Living Legend
We LOVE YOU GEORGE!!! He has never stopped fighting. I fell in love with Sulu when I was a little girl....I knew he was different. Love his Facebook/podcasts, love it ALL! The Japanese being "bad" was from the WWII era, and quickly faded. Thank Gods. I can feel that being gay AND Japanese at that time was a TERRIBLE situation. I am proud he survived to be an ICON. My family was German, we got a certain amount of angst at that particular time, for the same reason. Several older relatives were in the service HERE; guarding the camps the Germans were in. (because we all spoke German) They didn't get it nearly as bad as the Japanese; and again, shortly afterwards the stigma of WWII faded. Go Georgie, Go Georgie!!!!
Awesome video....I'm trans and it's horrible while I was listening to Mr. Takei about the old days, and how we can forget how history tends to repeat itself and how we allow it to do so.
Yup. In 2017 then president T.Rump was proposing concentration camps for EVERY Muslim so such injustice isn't hypothetical.
Angela Lansbury’s Murder She Wrote is rerun on late night TV. An episode from 1987 really caught my eye. George was a guest star playing a janitor at a TV station, the scene of the crime. After all his success with Star Trek, he still had to play a totally stereotypical subservient Asian character speaking almost pidgin English. It was jaw dropping seeing him have to submit to this type of role in the late ‘80s. Even the Perry Masons he was on in the early’60s were more open in their portrayal of Asian characters.
I'm literally tearing up right now, thank you Matt and thank you Uncle George!
I can't even say how much I love the formal portrait of George, Brad, and George's mother. ❤😊
George Takei is an American hero and icon.
You mean Japanese
@@forsakensavior7316 He lives in the US
@@forsakensavior7316 no. I mean American
@@jenniferrodriguez5337 i am guessing that's why they put him in a concentration camp because he is "american" he is only american when it suits you
@@forsakensavior7316 American of Japanese decent
Now look, Matt. I have a problem.
I can't watch so many of your videos without "the happy tears", and as I am getting older, it makes them hard to see.
Sooo...
Could you please just...
... keep doing what you do? These are so inspiring, so well-researched, and overall, just very impressive videos.
Much love
Maude
X
I had the great pleasure of working with George and Brad Takei at a convention in Hawaii. It was so wonderful to see how he interacted with his fans. He had the longest, slowest line, because he took his time with everyone. You could see on their faces the true inspiration he is to so many Asian Americans. One woman even asked him to sign her physics diploma, because he was the reason she got into STEM.
I met George in Brighton after a pantomime performance with my partner.
Before he was out ...
We knew he was as he introduced us to his "friend"
i've been a trekkie since the beginning - love George always - this video has moved me to tears - i'm so ashamed of my country right now - but George and his life story fill me with hope
Lots of shame to go around here. The struggle goes on. In better countries they can even read books which can't be said about the USA.
In the years between the original Star Trek series and the first movie, George used to come to our small convention in Greensboro NC and on Sunday mornings he would go out for a run with a gaggle of good looking young men. We knew then, and we thought it was adorable! So when he officially came out, we shrugged - we'd already known for decades! Go George! Love you forever! ❤😄
ayo fellow greensborian
It's wonderful that you finally got around to George Takei's story, and none could have told it better. This is really fantastic.
I highly recommend George Takei's graphic novel: They Called Us Enemy.
I do wish this paid a bit more attention to Mr. Takei's wonderful performance in The Twilight Zone. The role he played, while somewhat stereotypical, was human and sympathetic, as one would expect of any Serling presentation, and presaged his groundbreaking turn as Mr. Sulu. And dang, George could act even all those years ago!
Saw him at NYC Comic Con in 2021 He was so cool to meet and very nice. I have his photo on my wall with us doing the🖖 symbol. He’s changed so many lives.
Man that last part has me teared up. Seeing their wedding and their happiness is so beautiful. George is so amazing.
Jack Soo, né Goro Suzuki, was also sent to an internment camp during WWII. He changed his name to Jack Soo so that people would think he was Chinese, not Japanese, origin to avoid the post-war stigma. He even played Chinese characters like in Flower Drum Song because Americans largely didn't know the difference.
That’s suck. Being Japanese is better than being Chinese.
@@LarryWater🤦
Thanks for including George's time as a frequent guest on the Stern Show. I really grew to like him through his appearances on the show. Additionally, as was stated he had a lasting impact on the show. So many great drops have come from George.
How does this man not have a Congressional Medal of Honor?? We need to get on this!
Because he's a bigot. Just like most liberals
"How does this man not have a Congressional Medal of Honor?". That is a military service award and not for civilians, I think you mean a presidential medal of freedom, which is the highest civilian award.
@@joanned8172 Thanks Joanne, let's get him the Medal of Freedom then! 🤩
@@joanned8172 I mean, would he even want it? I know I couldn’t care less about the opinion of the US governments
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded to civilians. The Congressional Medal of Honor is a military award.
This is going to sound weird, but I've discovered that watching your videos, hearing these stories, is the only time outside of a rare breakthrough in therapy where I can openly weep. What happened to George's family is coming for people like me faster than anyone actually realizes.
😫
He is now affectionately known as Uncle George to so many of us. Thanks for another great vid, Matt!
Fun fact: George Takei was the first Star Trek actor with speaking lines to appear in Star Wars
Takei is a Global treasure and I just want to hug him and say a heart felt thank you.
Me too!
I do understand what you mean
As a Japanese American, the only books I could find about my country were either about brave American soldiers killing us. Or the concentration camps. I don’t know why they thought those were ok to give a little fourth grader, and I think to an extent I was a bit traumatized by what I read.
I never realized he’d been forced into the US concentration camps till I heard him in an interview with Mr. KFI, in Los Angeles >25 years ago. His musical Allegiance is so beautiful and heart breaking.
George helped me immensely, although he would never know it. As a closeted young gay man, I was able to "read his beads" and drew comfort from his strength of character. It made my life quite a bit easier. I lost my life partner in late 1999 to hepatic cancer, but am still able to remain strong. Thank you George!
Man, this could NOT have come at a better time for Trek fans 🙏
Why?
@@jennifervan75 I'm a lifetime Trek fan and I was about to ask the same question.
Did I miss something? (I hope not! 😕)
@@jennifervan75 it you have to ask, chances are you’re part of the problem
@@jennifervan75 Alot of trek fans are bigoted, they for some reason view picard as a "sigma male" who tells it like it is and doesnt stand for "wokeness"
@@FOJO27 Alot of trek fans are bigoted, they for some reason view picard as a "sigma male" who tells it like it is and doesnt stand for "wokeness"
The highest cheekbones in the galaxy
I don't understand how you can "not have a problem" with something but be against it. How can you be against something and not have a reason?
Takei as a voice actor has also been super representative.....i know Blue Eye Samurai's Seki would have been another hard to believe lovable elderly man, but something about Takeis voice hlis symbolic of comfort and hope for a future for me
If anyone is interested in learning more about the POW camps in NA during WWII, I recommend reading “Osaban”. It’s written by a child camp survivor.
I did not know about the pre-Stonewall activism. Thank you, Matt.
I first was introduced to George as Sulu on Star Trek. Then I was reintroduced to George when he became the spokesperson for the Howard Stern show. This is my favorite incarnation of George. Able to take a joke and the willingness to make fun of himself. I never knew this Actor could be so funny. Also we got to meet his Husband Brad through the Stern Show. To me George is a Great actor , husband and friend.A gentle soul.
Your pacing/writing in telling this story brought through so much heart, I was crying by the end of this. I knew bits of George's story but not the whole, what a wonderful man. Thank you for such a brilliant video.
Absolutely haunting opening lines about the national anthem behind barb wires. You'd be hard-pressed to find a metaphor that slices to the core of USA's past as deeply.
I was first introduced to this man in 2012's TMNT as Splinter. This man has always been an inspiration 🙌
Oh, YES❣ I will wait patiently for George Takei any day!
Edit: Oh, no. It's in 20 hours. I can go and come back for George Takei any day as well!
I could listen to George talk all day ~o~
Thank you Matt. When I came out at age 21 (September 30th, 1992), though I had not been intimate with anyone, male or female, as a gay man while I was serving on active duty in the US Navy, I recently looked back with my first television interview that aired only on KIRO-TV, channel 7 in Seattle. I remember the question being asked if I would advise other men and women in the military to do what I did, I replied at the time no because at that time, I was only seeing this as my personal fight.
1992 was the first time I could vote in a presidential election and I was very hopeful when then Governor Bill Clinton was elected. The only reason I voted for him was after I came out and did that first interview, I heard he wanted it to be possible for men and women to be able to serve openly if they were gay. I had my discharge hearing though on December 15th, 1992 and because I still had not been with anyone sexually, all the Navy had against me was my typed letter to the editor of "The Bremerton Sun" (Now I believe called "The Kitsap Sun"), I faxed from the public affairs office were I worked as an on-base journalist for what was then called "The Trident Tides."
The letter detailed what was happening in the PAO after a sailor on one of our nuclear submarines had just recently made headlines by coming out. I told of how I laughed at all the "gay jokes" the first day, but by the third day (the day our weekly newspaper had to be finish and sent to the printers for our weekly release), I wanted a way to voice both my support for the sailor and my anger over myself and those gay jokes. So, I finished the letter by typing (I still had not actually said these words) "Not only can I sympathize with Petty Officer ....., but I can also empathize with him because I too am a gay man."
My honorable discharge was placed on hold when President Clinton officially took office on January 20th, 1993 but it was an interview with a very popular local female reporter that would change my life forever. Her name, Mona Lee (who then became Mona Lee Locke, then wife to the future Governor of the state of Washington Gary Locke and who would serve in President Obama's cabinet - my own personal six degrees of separation to Obama LOL). She had heard about my story and wanted to do an in-depth interview with me.
Because I didn't have a driver's license (had a huge fear of driving), she agreed to come to the base (I was stationed at what was then called Naval Submarine Base, Bangor in Silverdale, Washington). But the base would not granted them permission to come onto the base and I was not granted to wear my Navy uniform for the interview. Mona and myself were granted to do the interview strictly at the Pass & ID parking lot, we were not granted to enter any building.
She came over and the interview lasted for more than two hours. I remember when we finished, she hugged me and told me that I gave her some great information and that the story would air that night as the "Feature Story" during the 5-6 news hour (meaning it would be a 5 minute piece). When it aired that night, I was watching it in my barracks with the guy who lived on the 3rd floor of the BEQ. None of them knew before it aired that I had publicly come out and I was nervous because I was ready to be attacked. To my surprise, when it finished, all I got was handshakes and high fives.
That's also when I started doing research, being a journalist at that time, and George was someone that caught my attention due to his political prowess. I already had known about what happened to him as a kid, because the first guy that I ever dated, was a HUGE Star Trek fan (sorry #GeorgeTakei, it was not you but I could not stand William Shatner's acting - I can hear an #OHMY now). So, now my respect for him through watching this has grown immensely. It is also good to see that Brad and him have been able to chart their relationship through just about every hurdle that came their way and they just look like that perfect couple that still gives this single 51 year old gay man hope of a better utopia for us all! xo
This has really touched me. I hope you can find someone, if you’re interested in that. (Not everyone is though and that’s just fine.)
We loved George. This just makes us appreciate him more. He's got to be flattered by this profile.
Thanks for all your dedication and hard work Mr. Takei
I love this. Star Trek was one of my favorite shows growing up.
My late hubby Alan loved George and so do I.
Thanks so much for making these videos. We need to remember our past and especially remember that it wasn't very long ago and continues on into the present!
George and Nichelle were always my favourite TOS actors and their real lives were even more interesting and impactful.
My husband’s father was in the Air Force as a bookkeeper . The family ( my husband wasn’t born yet) was stationed at the Japanese encampment. What a shame this took place. His family had to live in a New Mexico at that camp. A horrible memory.
Growing up, i had an older brother who is gay.
Yeah, i got teased a fair bit, but it was probably nothing compared to what he had to go through.
I’ve got nothing but respect for my brother, and anyone else who’s been through the struggle of hiding who you are.
Be yourself, and forget what anyone else thinks.
I love uncle George so much. Such a powerful and wonderful person
I had chills pretty much continuously through this video from start to end, and almost cried a couple times. Can we have a Takei Day every year? 😭
I'm genuinely crying at this, I want to thank you for sharing this story from the bottom of my heart.
As a gay man in America this story gives me hope for my future, never stop fighting.
ohhh you're good @MattBaume i'm in tears now!
Thanks, George and Brad. It will soon be time to take to the streets again when SCOTUS takes away same-sex marriage in the US. Let’s take inspiration from Takei and fight.
Exactly. I'll be 70 in a few months and I was at the forefront to get it on our ballot in my state in 2012 to legalize same sex marriage (it passed). I have always, and will always, fight for the rights of POC, members of the LGBTQ community, and women's bodily autonomy.
Thanks Matt, another fantastic video. ❤
As usual, Matt a well-researched and put together piece. Enjoyable to watch.
How the hell can your videos keep getting better when they're already the best out there? Somehow, you did it again. Very moving and inspiring.
If anyone is considering it, Matt's Patreon is definitely worth it.
George Takei means the world to me. I'm mixed Japanese American and my great grandma was in the interment camps. He is the one of the *_only_* actor, let alone famous figure, I have ever heard talk about the interment camps; the other one is Mike Shinoda. There were times growing up where I had to force history teachers to talk about the camps, there were times where I educated my teachers and classmates. My grandfather was born in the camps and my mother grew up getting called a Jap. My uncle (and family) used to be apart of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and when George Takei came to Minnesota my uncle got to meet him, and I am forever jealous lol. I'm so thank for George Takei
A sad and unjust treatment of people. Fear at its most corrosive...and this from the man who said: "We have nothing to fear but fear itself."
Excellent commentary. ❤️❤️❤️
I cried so many times during this thank you for this video. I’m a Chippewa gay transgender man and I have so many emotions about all of this WOW wow
Where are the Chippewa from again?
I don’t know if I could have been so forgiving. To have gone back onto Stern’s program after what Stern said -
“But you’re not gay are you, not with a voice like that”
I don’t know how much time had passed between that interview and the interview that included his husband etcetera.
But George is not only forgiving, but also very smart.
Of course George has a large audience of his own online, but Stern has a big platform too. A platform from which to speak out, to educate and advocate.
To reach a far broader and different audience.
He really did learn from his experiences as a child. Watching his father advocate for the families held in concentration camps.
It really is a full-circle moment. A lifetime of service and advocacy to the entire community.
Thanks you George Takei.
Thank you Matt for creating and for sharing this video.
Just brilliant and much appreciated too.
🙂🐿🌈❤️
I just realized Sulu being the pilot was probably a big middle finger at the old Asians can't drive stereotype
Thank you so much for this. It is excellently written, about a wonderful love story. This is real and beautiful. ❤