Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures

The film Hidden Figures is a very good example of the inequalities between the sexes but also the races in the United States in the 1960s. Indeed, women and coloured people were systematically excluded from society and from the active life, here from the technological and scientific advance of the country. During the film we can observe the daily life of three African-American women, Katherine, Dorothy and Mary who work in science and more precisely at NASA. These three women contribute to the sending of the first astronaut into space in a race against Russia.

The film highlights the daily problems that the three women have to face. For example, black people are forced to use separated bathrooms. But also, they are undervalued and neglected. In the film, we can also see that they are sometimes overexploited. We can take the example of Katherine who had to make many mathematical calculations in a very small period of time concerning the launch of the rocket. Despite this, she wasn’t t allowed to participate in meetings or use the same resources as her white colleagues. This shows the large amount of injustices in the 1960's as she is not considered the same as other while providing the same work, sometimes even better.

Throughout the film, we still see progress, as towards the end, the three women begin to fight more and more against prejudice and discrimination. With their cunning and intelligence, they try to break down barriers and show their true abilities. Each of them fights against racism and proves in different ways to people what they are capable of.

In conclusion, Hidden Figures gives a powerful example of the gender and racial inequality that existed in the 1960s. The film also shows how things were accomplished: through the perseverance of some people and especially through the determination and refusal to accept discrimination.

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