As
its official website says, "Hidden Figures" is a film that talks about female
mathematicians who were also black, black mathematicians who were also female,
and it shows the hard reality African American people had to face at a time were
racism was the usual thing and black people weren't much more than
insignificant. But it specially shows how three women were able to overcome
racial segregation and help change America's history, contributing to win the
Space Race against the Soviet Union.
"So yes, they let women do things at NASA, Mr. Johnson.
And it's not because we wear skirts. It's because we wear glasses."
These three incredible women were Mary Jackson, an African American teacher and engineer whose love for science and her commitment to improve the lives of others were one and the same; Dorothy Vaughan, a respected mathematician and NASA's first African American manager, and Katherine Johnson, a NASA's mathematician who calculated the trajectory for the space flight of Alan Shepard —the first American in space—, the one of John Glenn —the first American to orbit earth—, and of Apollo 11 —the first human mission to the moon.
"We get to the peak together, or we don't get there at all."
Regarding the film industry, Hidden Figures is part of a positive change that's taking place recently: a film starring three strong, non-objectified black women who pursuit their dreams and happiness. And these dreams have nothing to be with getting a rich husband nor becoming pretty, superficial Barbies. They get jobs which are usually associated with men, and they do better than them.
Moreover, this film has given credit to these so-called hidden figures, who were forgotten in this sexist, racist world. It has given them the fame they deserved, and has shown that we can only change things if we stand all together —male and female of all races and backgrounds. So, for all these reasons, I encourage you to watch this wonderful film and to fight for what you think you deserve; no matter your race, no matter your sex, no matter your background. No more hidden figures!
"That girl!"
Moreover, this film has given credit to these so-called hidden figures, who were forgotten in this sexist, racist world. It has given them the fame they deserved, and has shown that we can only change things if we stand all together —male and female of all races and backgrounds. So, for all these reasons, I encourage you to watch this wonderful film and to fight for what you think you deserve; no matter your race, no matter your sex, no matter your background. No more hidden figures!
Written by: María Bustos Pons
Hidden Figures trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK8xHq6dfAo
References:
Hidden Figures' official webpage - http://www.hiddenfigures.com/
Mary Jackson's biography - https://www.nasa.gov/content/mary-jackson-biography
Dorothy Vaughan's biography
Human
Computers - NasaCRgis - NASA Langley GIS Team Home Page -
Katherine
Johnson's biography -
Hidden Figures' quotes - http://m.imdb.com/title/tt4846340/quotes
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