Star Trek: The Original Series' iconic interracial kiss between Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and Lt. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) would likely not have happened if not for William Shatner. Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry wanted his series to push boundaries and depict a future where everyone was accepted for who they were. While Star Trek: The Original Series remains a product of its time, it undoubtedly helped pave the way for more diversity on television. Kirk and Uhura's iconic kiss, while not technically the first interracial kiss to air on television, was a monumental moment and received very little backlash from viewers despite the worries of NBC.

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