Hidden Heroes of the Space Age

The movie Hidden Figures was one I really enjoyed. I also read the original novel, and the film reminded me of The Help.

Because Octavia Spencer, who gave an impressive performance as a maid in The Help, also appeared in this film, it naturally brought The Help to mind.

Just like The Help, serious racial discrimination was also widespread at NASA in the 1960s. People of color had to use separate restrooms and cafeteria items from white people.

Not only were they discriminated against in basic daily life, but even highly capable Black women were excluded from their work.

Although they could not openly ridicule them within white elite NASA, they continued to carry out acts of discrimination, contempt, and disregard against Black women.

But even in such difficult circumstances, three Black women patiently carried out their work and eventually had their abilities and achievements recognized at NASA.

Katherine Johnson, who had a genius-level talent for mathematics, was working as a computer operator without even having her name listed, despite personally taking part in calculations and writing reports.

Then one day, she gained attention by calculating the spacecraft’s reentry coordinates more accurately than the machine.

Despite being ignored and excluded by her direct supervisor, Katherine received support from the division head and the astronauts, and at last her abilities were recognized.

Meanwhile, Dorothy Vaughan, a representative figure in programming, moved from one contract position to another, and after skillfully handling a supercomputer that even white men could not manage, she was selected as NASA’s first full-time female programmer.

However, it is said that NASA tried to prevent this by revising contract terms and taking other measures.

Mary Jackson filed a lawsuit against the state of Virginia, where only white men were allowed admission, because of the new degree-granting conditions stated in the revised contract.

After persistent effort, Mary was granted permission by the court to attend night classes, and eventually became NASA’s first Black female engineer.

Watching the discrimination that the Black women in the film faced, the audience felt great sorrow and anger.

Especially because the film is based on a true story, there was deep empathy for the unfair treatment they had to endure.

The audience also felt resentment toward a society where racism is still widespread, along with a strong desire for this kind of discrimination to be completely eradicated.

It was heartbreaking to see racial discrimination exist even in trivial everyday actions, and I came to realize that such discrimination can never be tolerated.

I think we need to face the uncomfortable realities that still exist in our society and work toward finding solutions.

The fact that historical discrimination and injustice are still being repeated can be described as a major challenge for all of us.

Still, I think it is encouraging that there are efforts to confront uncomfortable truths and overcome them.

The movie Hidden Figures presented stories that had once been hidden in the past, allowing us to reflect once again on historical lessons.

Works that address social issues indirectly or directly like this will help create a better society by conveying important messages to us.

I believe that if we all work together, one day we will be able to create a world without discrimination.