The Dehumanization Of Spock-Personal Narrative

“Live long and prosper,” is one of the most iconic catchphrases of any character in cinematic history. My catchphrase, however, is more… nonexistent. On a more serious note, Spock and I do happen to have at least one thing in common: we are often dehumanized. Disregarding the fact that Spock is a Vulcan, and technically not human, Spock is dehumanized by being seen as merely a brain: a religiously logical resource. Like Spock, the only people who truly see me rather than just my brain, are my close friends. Spock and I are viewed to be unfeeling, without emotion… to others, we are just our brains. I can assure you, nothing hurts more than being reduced to one’s intelligence. Sometimes, we believe it too; we start to believe that we are without emotion, that we are defined by our ability to use logic and reason and to find innovative solutions. And it hurts.

Although logic is important to Spock, he follows what he believes to be right, regardless of his personal desires: it is not a question of what he wants, but a question of what he should do. I recognize the pain he feels when he chooses society over his happiness: the pain that others are oblivious to because they believe that logic is the one thing Spock holds above all things. Spock embodies the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “you must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Spock believes that it is his responsibility to take on the tasks that involve personal sacrifice, because if he doesn’t take on said tasks, then who will? I recognize the same pain in him that I see in myself, albeit mine is usually on a smaller scale. I never really was a child: I was an underage adult because I believed I needed to grow up quickly to allow my peers to live a little longer without the burden of