13th module: Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures seems, to me at least, like a very special movie. Not only does it talk about one of the greatest milestones of the twentieth century talking from a technological, sociological and political perspective, but it does so from the outlook of another very important event from that time in the USA, the fight for two different and intertwined groups that were heavily discriminated in that time: people of color and women.  This brings a different perspective that aims to acknowledge the efforts and actions taken by this groups and show that history is one big ball of different people and occurrences and that we cannot analyze the lunar landing without considering all the factors and how it impacts the lives of the people, not just from that time, but for the future generations as well.

The alienation, blatant racism and sexism practiced by most of the characters inside the NASA workplace and by other characters throughout the film seem a bit bizarre, even outlandish. It seems unreal and out of place, generating awkward situations. Examples include when a police officer stops and threatens the 3 main characters for having their car stopped in the middle of the road, denying work promotions by Kirsten Dunst’s character and general surprise by all males when Katherine talks about her job and responsibilities. It feels a bit… uncomfortable knowing that almost all of these situations happened to the real life counterparts and to many more people throughout the middle of the last century.

It is because of the reality of these events and the relevance that they still hold today that we must remember all the fighting it got to stand to where we are and to what we want to achieve someday. I know I saw the same fighting spirit and identification with the characters’ struggles in the eyes of my female classmates, living in a career populated mainly by men.