R.I.P. Leonard Nimoy, 1931-2015

It's fitting to mark the death of this man, this thespian and noted cultural icon. Leonard Nimoy represented perhaps one of the most famous Mestizo figures on television and cinema, as Mr. Spock——the half-human and half-Vulcan being who spent a lifetime in the search for himself and the struggle of ever-balancing his racial-ethnic identity.

Indeed, like many Mexican-Americans in reality——and in socio-cultural media narratives that this blog strives to courageously delineate and interrogate——his character of Mr. Spock suffered prejudice and racism in the fullest range. From friends' and colleagues' passive and sometimes purposeful remarks about his appearance and beliefs, to hostile aliens' and strangers' xenophobic treatment and outright bigoted hatred for all he physically, intellectually and racially seemed to represent. Mr. Spock struggled to understand each week on our televisions the bi-racial, bi-cultural dynamics of his existence, while trying to honestly consolidate the best of both worlds.

As he leaves this world, Leonard Nimoy takes with him Tex[t]-Mex's admiration, love, and gratitude, as well as quintessential fan-boy devotion for his all-around coolness and inspiration. Live long and prosper in the next realm!