I was reading about Martin Luther King Jr. and learned that he is the reason that Nichelle Nichols became a legend on Star Trek as Uhura. She was planning to quit after one season when he told her what an incredible role model she was for black women. Nichelle had no idea.

Whoopi Goldberg was amazed to see a black woman playing an intelligent part of the crew, and became an avid Star Trek fan. She pushed hard to land a part on the show as Guinan.

Good marriages are not often portrayed on the media. Falling in love is standard, but actual storylines with married couples who work together are a rarity. When ninety per cent of the plotlines are about temporary relationships that expectation slides into the place we reserve for Normal.

I keep a running list of movies and  books with characters that bring true commitment to life. Seeing how a husband and wife fight for the good of their son, as in Lorenzo's Oil, or how they stay faithful as in Shall We Dance? gives the viewer a story to hold on to when they face a similar challenge. The Incredibles is based on a couple who would do anything to protect each other. Fireproof portrays a couple on the edge of divorce who take on a forty day challenge, and are recommitted to each other.  

There has been a shift in how relationships are portrayed in the media now as compared to a generation ago. The impact on the people who grow up watching them is pervasive. I wonder what the future will bring.