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Theodore Melfi Hidden Figures

Decent Essays

Theodore Melfi's film "Hidden Figures" takes place in the 1960s, a time when lots of significant things were happening; it was a pivotal era in United States history marked by the Civil Rights Movement and the Space Race. In the 1960s, racial segregation and gender discrimination were very common in American society. "Hidden Figures" shows the institutionalized racism and sexism faced by the three main characters, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, as they navigate the predominantly white and male environment of NASA. They were all African American women who were exceptionally good at mathematics. Even though they faced unfair treatment because of their race and gender, it wasn't just at work; it was everywhere. In society …show more content…

At the same time, the world was in a tense situation; the Cold War was taking place. The United States and Russia were competing to see who could send a person to space first. Against the backdrop of the Cold War and the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union, NASA's mission to launch a man into space was not only a scientific project but also a matter of national pride for their country and geographical and political competition. If the Soviet Union did something first, it would make the United States look bad. The pressure was high, and everyone wanted to be the first. The film highlights the significance of the space program as a symbol of American excellence and technological advancement during this politically charged era. In "Hidden Figures," we see how all of this affected the lives of Katherine, Dorothy, and Mary. They were part of something big, something that would go down in history books. But instead of being celebrated, they had to fight for recognition. The movie helps us understand the challenges for women of color in this field, not just because of their race or gender, but because of the time they lived in. The movie "Hidden Figures" shows how important the work of Johnson, Vaughan, and Jackson was, even though it's often forgotten. It makes us rethink what we know about history, especially about how women and African Americans were

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