Hidden Figures - Extra Credit PDF

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Lani Komatsu 11/13/17 CRN 71098 Extra Credit Hidden Figures Hidden Figures, directed by Theodore Melfi, sheds light on the ignored and unacknowledged black female mathematicians that worked at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) during the Space Race. Without the work of these women, the United States of America would not have made it into space when they did. Their work was covered up and credit was given to their white male counterparts. This film was the first instance of me learning about black women being involved in the Space Race. The fact that I was not taught this in history class makes me question the other parts of history my school neglected to teach me. I had absolutely no knowledge of the role these women had in US history and that is not okay with me, especially because they were in the forefront of the US even getting into space. The women’s progress and hard work being erased from history serves to further alienate minorities from being normalized and accepted. While showing the central role of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and other black female women the film also touches on the racism that existed at the time. Though racism was not the sole focus of the film, it featured a heartbreaking scene in which Katherine Johnson was humiliatingly called out by her boss for spending too much time going to the restroom, when the reason was because the nearest “colored women’s restroom” was half a mile away on the other side of the NASA campus. This was a really emotional scene because the protagonist who was as marginalized as much as possible was getting blamed for actions she had no control over and that were a result of segregation. I really enjoyed this film. The acting was strong all around.The soundtrack helped to make light of the very serious topics touching racism. This film acknowledges the women of

color and the very central role they played in American history. The film was phenomenal and really empowering. As a female person of color, this film being made was really important to me. It helps educate others on the important role women of color had/have in history. The film provides proof of the racism that still exists today, that the history of certain minority groups’ being erased so that they not be recognized for the good they’ve done - only the atrocities they have committed. I highly recommend this film to anyone. It is relatable and if one cannot relate to it, at least it provides a new learning experience/perspective....