Hidden Figures: The Space Race as an Allegory for the Progression of Racial Justice in America A featured film analysis of Hidden Figures (2016) Written by Michelle Cruz1,2,3 Department of English, 2Cinema Studies Institute, University of Toronto 3 Fourth-year undergraduate of University College, University of Toronto
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“So I Have No Choice But to be the First” Change occurs when one takes the first step towards a goal. The race to see which country could be the first to land on the moon was a pivotal moment in the technological and scientific advancement for the U.S. However, occurring at the same time during this historic period was the Civil Rights Movement, and the struggle for Black people to be acknowledged as equals. The unmoving and static state of the Space Race in the biographical drama Hidden Figures parallels the lack of progress towards racial justice in the U.S. It is because of this that the “design principle”, also known as the filmic structure or essence of the film based on the true stories of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, is the Space Race. The film continuously situates the two narratives side by side. When Al makes all of the bathrooms racially inclusive in the workplace, which was something unusual at the time, Katherine is able to be more productive in her job to help NASA. When Katherine is permitted to attend the briefings, progress for the U.S. side of the Space Race is possible. These instances show that change in perspective is necessary to advance the story. The narrative places Katherine as one of the most significant contributors to the U.S. being the first to land on the moon. This is only possible through the positive development of the attitudes of white characters such as Al, and the empowering representation that the film gives to Black women such as Katherine. In this way, the main theme of Hidden Figures is about the concept of change through the inclusion of Black people to shift America into a progressive future.
“Is It Possible that It Actually Means More to Them?” Halfway through the film, Al expresses his disappointment to his employees over the Russians advancing further than the U.S. in the Space Race. As already mentioned, the Space Race’s narrative parallels Katherine’s struggle to be seen as equal in her workplace in spite of her race. While Al rambles on about the lack of progress, he fails to see the real issue which is right in front of him. He fails to see the issue at a micro level. Katherine is the only Black woman in the room. Additionally, as a white man, he has the privilege of speaking up about his frustrations, while Katherine is unable to. In a pivotal scene in the film, Katherine lashes out at her coworkers and at Al for the discrimination and segregation that she faces daily. Thus, when Al says, “Is it possible that it actually means more to them?” (Hidden Figures 55:16-55:18) it reveals that he does not realize that by elevating Katherine to a higher position, she can help advance America in the Space Race. As her boss, his condoning of his employees’ discrimination towards Katherine affects her work ethic and self-esteem. Up Screenwriters’ Perspectives Vol. 2 No. 1 2021
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