Beautiful messages in “Hidden Figures”

Janelle Monae, Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer
Janelle Monae, Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer

By Cheryl Mattox Berry

The movie, Hidden Figures, is the best movie I saw last year for many reasons. It’s a new chapter in black history, inspirational, a love story and testament to the resiliency of black women.

Hidden Figures is based on the true story of three brilliant black women at NASA – Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson,) Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae) who provided the mathematical data to launch astronaut John Glenn (Glen Powell) into orbit during the historic Space Race.

Who knew that black women had such jobs in the early 1960s when most had careers as teachers and social workers. Had we known, how many math whizzes – men and women – could have worked at NASA or blazed new trails?

The movie tells how these women conquered adversity at a time when blacks were still fighting for civil rights. They got what they wanted by determination, creative thinking, working together and self-confidence. Each time they were told they couldn’t do something, they figured out a way to get it done. They never gave up on themselves or each other.

What’s more, the movie shows black love. You see a black man courting a black woman; a black couple having a disagreement but working through it and staying together; a black man not being afraid of a strong black woman; and a black man showing love for his family.

That’s how it used to be and still is for many black couples, but we rarely see it on the big screen. Negative images of black women in videos, reality shows and movies overpower romantic story lines. As a result, many black women think they’re supposed to be treated badly by the men in their lives. Sad.

Hidden Figures is a movie that everyone needs to see regardless of their race or ethnicity. Children need to see what possibilities lie ahead. If they see it, they’ll believe they can be it. I know this for a fact because it wasn’t until I saw Carol Hall, the first black reporter on TV in Memphis, that I considered a career in journalism.

This movie also makes me wonder what other accomplishments by blacks have been buried and need to be told on the big screen. I’ll be waiting patiently for the next gem.

 

Note: I’m proud to say that these three women joined my sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha. 

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