Hollywood has become obsessed with representation to the point of imposing newly strict guidelines to include films in the run for Academy Awards. The discussion over the real virtue of these efforts is ongoing and heated on many fronts. However, this time we’d like to highlight films that push the narrative about representation in a positive lightwithout twisting history or creating controversy.
Hidden Figuresis a film released in 2016, written and directed by Theodore Melfi and based on the bookHidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Who Helped Win the Space Race, written by Margot Lee Shetterly. The all-star cast includes Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, and industry mainstays such as Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, and Jim Parsons in supporting roles.
This fantastic crowd-pleaser tells the story of three remarkable African American women — Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, who played crucial roles in thespace program NASA ran in the 1960s. The historical drama narrates the struggles andhard work of these women, experts in their field, who significantly contributed to the efforts that helped people go to space and eventually land on the moon. Seven years later, the film remains a source of inspiration for new audiences everywhere.
The Celebration of Unsung Heroes: The Achievements of Katherine, Dorothy, and Mary
Katherine, Dorothy, and Mary are the three main characters in the story. Katherine is an expert mathematician who led the efforts to punch the numbers required to put the first team of American astronauts in space. Dorothy would become the first African American supervisor for NASA while also being one of the first computer programmers for the agency. On the other hand, Mary Jackson was the first Black engineer on the premises.
These women were educated, had a fulfilling family life, and continued their ongoing education to advance in their fields. The movie does indeed take certain liberties, and not just with some of thegreat quotes inHidden Figures. As the real scientists point out in the source material, NASA was pretty progressive even by the decade’s standards. However, as Katherine Johnson would put it in the book, she knew about the societal problems of the time, but everyone was too busy researching to be racist to anyone.
The Relevance of Hidden Figures in Today’s World
When racial conflict is at an all-time high,Hidden Figuresis a lofty reminder that diversity is our greatest strength. It’s a movie that depicts the struggles of Black people in a time when racism was rampant and prevalent in many American institutions. Segregation was slowly being pushed out of society thanks to social movements. Still, many people held on to their old ways and denied basic human decency to fellow human beings based on their skin color.
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Hidden Figuresis not simply a movie touching on the subject of racism. It’s also a film about perseverance and the drive to push past the goalpost, even if they are moved further. It’s a movie that challenges viewers to examine their biases while celebrating the people who overcame their narrow views to achieve a common goal. It’s also a film that highlights the role of lesser-known historical figures and their accomplishments in the space race.
Inspiring Future Generations and the Educational Impact of Hidden Figures
One of the most critical points inHidden Figuresis the importance of education. In the present-day, education is readily available wherever we look for it. Even those less fortunate to attend college can still access high-quality education using multiple online platforms.Hidden Figuresshows the struggles faced by the leading scientists to keep their knowledge up to date. It’s a great example most young people should aspire to, especially at a time when information is so easy to access.
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In a time when computer science is more required than ever, we need more people pursuing careers in STEM fields. Katherine Johnson is a mathematical ace, but she keeps pushing her own boundaries. Dorothy Vaughan shows a fierce determination to learn programming languages such as Fortran. The film also showcases how building a network and a sound support system can take you far, such as with Mary Jackson, whose story showcases how a supportive mentor figure can help you achieve your goals despite obstacles.
Where to Watch this Absolute Gem of a Movie?
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