As people, we all deal with many important questions through our lives. Perhaps one of the most important of these is the question of identity.

We all struggle with it at one time or another — granted in different ways and at different times, but we all deal with it. Identity is a key concept throughout the Star Trek franchise. From Spock to Data to little Wesley Crusher, we consistently see these characters and more struggle with their own identities, making us reflect on our own.

As humans, our identities come in many forms. From gender to race to sexual orientation, these identities we hold help to shape who we are, whether we like it or not. I could go on and on simply discussing the various ins and outs of all of these different types of identities. Indeed, Star Trek addresses some of these identity issues as well.

In the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "The Outcast," we encounter a race where the very concept of gender as we know it is challenged. In the third season original series episode "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield," the issue of race is dealt with explicitly when two members of the same species but of different races ultimately commandeer the Enterprise over their race-based conflict.

But as we look at the hundreds of hours of Star Trek, we dont see concepts of race or gender as overriding themes throughout its 40-year existence. What we see is a concept of identity that is much more broad, that of humanity. Perhaps the most prominent example of this is Data. With that character, we have a being who is — by most accounts — vastly superior to humans, but the one thing he lacks is what makes us so unique, that humanity.

In todays world, we face many seemingly insurmountable problems. Billions of people live in conditions that many people reading this have probably never seen. Millions of people are suffering from curable and preventable diseases, dying from lack of clean water or access to proper food. Unfortunately, this list of problems goes on and on.

The answer to solving these problems and so many others is, at its root, relatively simple. It lies within all of those lessons of humanity that Star Trek has brought forth to us both directly and indirectly. And in todays world where we have the capacity to do so much, but it often seems like we do so little in comparison, we need to take those lessons to heart. We, as a people, are losing touch with what makes us human: our humanity.

I can hear what you are saying, But humanity isnt going to solve world hunger, only increased money, education and aid will do that. And I agree with you there. Humanity alone wont solve world hunger or any other major social problem, but it is humanity that will be the bedrock for the major social change that is long overdue.

Without that concept of brotherhood and sisterhood; of not us versus them, but we; of standing together as a single people to do what is right nothing will happen. Without that humanity no change will come, the real assistance that is needed around the world — both in the Global North and the Global South — will not happen, and much too many people will suffer and die from what we could have prevented.

It is time to get past the politics, to get past our little bubbles, to get past our privilege, and to look into our hearts, to reflect inward on our humanity and do what needs to be done. In todays world, with all of our technological advances, with all of our resources and knowledge, there is no more room for excuses, only action. We might all have varying degrees of power, but we all have a voice, we all can make choices, we all have our humanity.

Perhaps our Great Bird of the Galaxy, Gene Roddenberry, put it best when he said, I believe in humanity. We are an incredible species. Were still just a child creature; we're still being nasty to each other. And all children go through those phases. Were growing up, we're moving into adolescence now. When we grow up — man, we're going to be something!

I think — and Gene might agree with me — that it is time we started growing up.

Brian Meskimen is a columnist for Airlock Alpha writing out of Minnesota. He can be reached at bmeskimen@airlockalpha.com.

The Trek Within is a feature of Airlock Alpha, but also will soon be available on Roddenberry.com, the official Web site for the Roddenberry family maintained by Eugene W. Roddenberry Jr. Visit Roddenberry.com to read The Trek Within as well as a bonus feature from Airlock Alpha site coordinator Michael Hinman every other week.

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