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Posted On: October 31st 2026, 06:17 pm
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"Because I want you to be proud of me"
I needed a role model like Picard in my life as a child. Picard. served as an alternative to my experiences – a man who was gentle and tender, worked toward diplomacy over violence, for justice, humbled by the expertise of those around him, and an explorer in awe of the Universe.
Wesley was my stand in - perhaps for all of us – as we saw his relationship with Picard develop, filling the role of a father who was now gone (or absent or unrelateable). That relationship formed a foundation of who I am. I wanted Picard – and by extension Star Trek itself – to be proud of what I had done and who I was.
As my own activist work matured, I noted all of Sir Patrick Stewart's real-world efforts for social change. His advocacy of women's rights and safety, for the LGBTQ+ community, and now for Alzheimer's research. I am also continually inspired by the work of the wider Star Trek community that I've come to know – in the spirit of the Enterprise and now the wider fleet of ships and stories represented by a larger cast and crew – all people who have evolved from parental figures to now colleagues on a mission with us together.
Perhaps as one ages, the craving for pride evolves to an intent of purpose – because we truly believe in the mission of peace, democracy, justice, and wonder. But that child-like motivation “I wanted you to be proud of me” is the seed. I've lost two mentors of my childhood now. My grandfather who gave me my first view of the stars through his telescope and spoke to me of the importance of bees and fungi. And Sir Patrick Stewart, whom tho I hadn't met, brought to life a character - and championed causes - that should we follow would help make the world the utopia we envision in Star Trek. And I hope that in, whatever form it takes, they would be proud of the work that I, and WE, are all doing now. Should we all be so fortunate to have such humans in our lives – fictional and real - to aspire to. -Matthew
@sirpatstew asked for donations toward Alzheimer's research, links in his bio. And campaign on @trekgeeks as well.
#patrickstewart #StarTrek #alzheimers #trektivism
I needed a role model like Picard in my life as a child. Picard. served as an alternative to my experiences – a man who was gentle and tender, worked toward diplomacy over violence, for justice, humbled by the expertise of those around him, and an explorer in awe of the Universe.
Wesley was my stand in - perhaps for all of us – as we saw his relationship with Picard develop, filling the role of a father who was now gone (or absent or unrelateable). That relationship formed a foundation of who I am. I wanted Picard – and by extension Star Trek itself – to be proud of what I had done and who I was.
As my own activist work matured, I noted all of Sir Patrick Stewart's real-world efforts for social change. His advocacy of women's rights and safety, for the LGBTQ+ community, and now for Alzheimer's research. I am also continually inspired by the work of the wider Star Trek community that I've come to know – in the spirit of the Enterprise and now the wider fleet of ships and stories represented by a larger cast and crew – all people who have evolved from parental figures to now colleagues on a mission with us together.
Perhaps as one ages, the craving for pride evolves to an intent of purpose – because we truly believe in the mission of peace, democracy, justice, and wonder. But that child-like motivation “I wanted you to be proud of me” is the seed. I've lost two mentors of my childhood now. My grandfather who gave me my first view of the stars through his telescope and spoke to me of the importance of bees and fungi. And Sir Patrick Stewart, whom tho I hadn't met, brought to life a character - and championed causes - that should we follow would help make the world the utopia we envision in Star Trek. And I hope that in, whatever form it takes, they would be proud of the work that I, and WE, are all doing now. Should we all be so fortunate to have such humans in our lives – fictional and real - to aspire to. -Matthew
@sirpatstew asked for donations toward Alzheimer's research, links in his bio. And campaign on @trekgeeks as well.
#patrickstewart #StarTrek #alzheimers #trektivism
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