Cast members of CBS’s widely anticipated Star Trek: Discovery took a knee last Sunday in a now viral post on social media. Discovery’s lead actress, Sonequa Martin-Green, went to Instagram along with 14 other cast members from the science-fiction drama to display the politically inspired protest.
The actress posted the photo online only a few hours following the world premiere of the show. Martin-Green left two hashtags on the post: #StarTrekDiscovery and #TakeAKnee.
Members involved in the viral photo include Discovery’s executive producer Akiva Goldsman, and cast members Anthony Rapp, Michelle Yeoh, Mary Wiseman, Mary Chieffo and Shazad Latif.
The cast members’ silent protest follows the unremitting trend of NFL players kneeling for the National Anthem in disapproval of President Trump. From a marketing perspective, the NFL has experienced a drop in ratings since recent widespread protests. By the same token, politicizing the new Star Trek series appears as a fairly peculiar strategy on Martin-Green’s part to say the least.
The reception from those on social media were mixed – some supportive of the show’s cast members engaging in the protest action, while a substantial amount of fans appeared aggravated and relatively exhausted of the seemingly redundant politicization of television, whether it be professional football or sci-fi dramas.
One disgruntled commenter said, “why do you support #take a knee? You live in the greatest country, you have a good life, I really liked you as Sasha and was planning on watching Star Trek. But now I won’t. Just because, a brat of a football player feels our National Anthem makes him oppressed, it’s bull crap. Why don’t you take a stand. #takeastandforourcountry.”
Another posted, “Star Trek shouldn’t be dragged into this crap, regardless of which side of the debate you fall on. While Star Trek has more liberal ideals, it’s not something that in itself should be used to push political views in the real world.”
After the premier, Martin-Green returned back to Instagram with a second post reminiscing on the previous night as well as the reception from the show’s audience.
“Thank you. All of you. CBS, writers, producers, directors, crew and cast. For your gifts and fervor. And thank you, those watching. For tuning in. For your passion, support and love. I. Do. NOT take it lightly. I thank God for you. And I’m excited to take this journey with you,” Martin-Green expressed.
