Black women in Hollywood are breaking barriers with the most groundbreaking roles on the big and small screens. Star Trek: Discovery star Sonequa Martin-Green has earned recognition by becoming the first black woman to be cast in a captain role for the legendary science-fiction franchise.
According to Black Enterprise, the actress appeared on The View to discuss the history she’s making on Star Trek: Discovery. Martin-Green paused and praised Whoopi Goldberg for paving the way for her and other black women in Hollywood. The actress also acknowledged Nichelle Nichols, who played Nyota Uhura in Star Trek: The Original Series; she thanked both women for being an inspiration to her life as she continues to break glass ceilings into the new generation.
“Making history in this way … I thought it was up to me to do it perfectly and to do everything right to pay homage to the people that came before me,” Martin-Green said.
“BUT THIS IS NOT MY ACCOMPLISHMENT…. I SIMPLY STEPPED ONTO THE PATH THAT WAS ALREADY LAID FOR ME BY NICHELLE AND BY YOU,” SHE SAID WHILE POINTING TO GOLDBERG. “AND SO I AM YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT AND I THANK YOU.”
She said Goldberg’s past work inspired her to perfect her craft in hopes of becoming a successful actress one day.
“You mean a lot to me,” she told Whoopi. “A lot of your work I shared with my family growing up, so you kind of hold those memories with me: The Color Purple, and Made in America, and Ghost.”
Despite her success in the entertainment industry, Martin-Green delved into her personal life by sharing how difficult it was to welcome her second child months before losing her parents in April, Black Enterprise reported.
The Walking Dead star gushed over her 1-year-old daughter, Saraiyah, and shared the obstacles she’s faced by tackling topics about race and culture with her 6-year-old son, Kenric Jr.
“IT’S A LOT. IT’S TIME. IT HAS TO BE. BECAUSE AS GENUINE AND AS INNOCENT AS HE IS, A LOT OF PEOPLE DO NOT SEE HIM THIS WAY,” MARTIN-GREEN SAID.
While some of the hosts suggested that her son may be too young to understand topics regarding race, the actress quickly reminded them, “He’s not too young to get shot, is he?”
