"The Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee

Shetterly

The movie, Hidden Figures, written by Margot Lee Shetterly and directed by
Theodore Melfi, released on January 6, 2017, takes place at NASA Langley Research Center in
1961.  The phenomenal true story of the black female mathematicians at NASA at the leading
edge of the feminist and civil rights movement, whose calculations helped fuel some of
America's greatest achievements in space--a powerful, revelatory contribution that is as essential
to our understanding of race, discrimination, and achievement in modern America. A historical
point of view influences how you watch the film. Trends and societal views influence what was
written or filmed and how it can be read or watched.

A historical critic may ask “what historical knowledge adds depth to the
reading or watching of the work?”, “what historical research is necessary to understand the
film?”, and “what insights does the literary work give us into history?”

When reflecting on the economic and cultural status of the protagonists, a

historical knowledge is beneficial. The 1960’s are also known as the cultural decade. One of the
most tumultuous and divisive decades in world history, marked by the civil rights
movement, the Vietnam War and anti-war protests, political assassinations and the
emerging "generation gap." The civil rights movement was a struggle for social justice that
took place mainly during the 1950s and 1960s for Black Americans to gain equal rights under the
law in the United States. Within the film, the audience learns that the protagonist, Katherine
Johnson, alongside her colleagues Mary Jackson and Dorothy Vaughan has taken upon the roles
of a mathematician, engineer and a female supervisor of NASA Langley Research Centre.
During the time of the 1960’s, calculating and research was solely dominated by men and the
segregation of race was still present at that time. As depicted in the film, the protagonist was
tasked with solving a mathematical equation, however one of the principal mathematicians
covered the equation with an ink before giving it to the protagonist. It caused the main character
to struggle with solving the problem. In this situation the principal mathematicians isn’t a fan of
the protagonist correcting the calculation he made, whether he admits it or not. There was no
sympathy for the struggles of the protagonist, this was the generation’s way of life. Most men did
not agree with the presence of women in the workplace.
 By having done research prior to watching the film, the audience can fully
understand the protagonist. The protagonist must, to some extent, feel estranged from the job
because she is a member of a minority group. The protagonist doesn't have the same sense of
belonging to the workers, happiness, or hope as the viewer discovers when watching the film.
Considering all circumstances the protagonist is pressured by, she must be a strong independent
woman. Within the film, the main character travels by foot from Langley Lab to another
workplace, where only black women are employed, to use the only restroom available to them.
There’s also the scene where the protagonist went to get coffee and all the workers at the space
task group looked at her differently. After that day, they included a broken thermos of coffee for
the protagonist to access. Women were not seen to be as significant as men during this time,
especially if they were black because of historical segregation. White people were viewed as
superior to African Americans. There was little respect for the protagonist because most men
believed that most women knew nothing but housework. It was not only the main mathematician
but all those who work at NASA Langley Research Centre.
Al Harrison, a senior executive, questioned the protagonist about her
whereabouts after spotting her walking in drenched and gone when working hours. The heroine
then opened up to Harrison and the other employees about all the difficulties she faced while
working at Langley Research Centre. Like the bathroom segregation and having to go journey
from the lab to the other institution. Knowing the situation of the protagonist, the senior
executive destroys the “colored” bathroom sign in front of dozens of his Black and White NASA
co-workers. From a historical point of view, this seems to be an era where some men are
accepting women in the workplace and where some do not. Therefore this indicates the
protagonist was one of few females to be independent.

By having historical knowledge while watching “The Hidden Figures” helps

you thoroughly understand the protagonist. Within the time era, assuming within the 1960s, most
black women were yet to be employed or accepted into the white dominant workplace.
Considering all circumstances and judgmental men, the protagonist is pressured by, she must be
a strong independent woman. By having done research prior to watching “The Hidden Figure”,
the reader would also understand that this was a time period where civil rights had started
actively fighting for the rights of both black women and men. African American people were just
publicly fighting for equality. Historical insights within the story give many suggestions to the
correct era “The Hidden Figure” took place in, including the rights, the segregation, and the
treatment. The film of “The Hidden Figures” gives the audience plenty of leeway for opinions
and imagination, especially in a historical manner.