NASA's Segregated Workplaces: A Historical Perspective from Hidden Figures

The 2016 film Hidden Figures brought to life the untold stories of three African American female mathematicians who were integral to the success of the early US space program. The movie highlighted the challenges and discrimination they faced in a time when segregation was rampant in many parts of the United States, including federal agencies like NASA. Let's delve deeper into the historical context and the reality of NASA's segregated workplaces during the early 1960s.

Segregation in NASA's Early Years

NASA, like other federal agencies, was not immune to the Jim Crow Laws and discrimination prevalent in the United States during the mid-20th century. The film Hidden Figures depicts three such mathematicians—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—working at NASA's Langley Research Center in Virginia. At the time, racial segregation policies required African American employees to be housed in separate facilities and given limited access to resources matched by their white counterparts.

The West Area Computers

A significant part of the film focuses on the West Area Computers, a segregated unit where African American female employees performed essential calculations for space flight. According to NASA's official website, this unit was primarily focused on the West machine shop, where a large number of African American women were employed to carry out critical tasks. These women faced numerous challenges, including segregated restrooms, workrooms, and cafeterias. For instance, at Langley, African American employees were expected to use segregated facilities, a practice that mirrored the broader social norms of the time.

Segregation and Integration

Despite the segregation policies, the film illustrates how these women managed to overcome numerous obstacles and contribute significantly to the success of the space program. The struggle for integration within NASA began to take shape later in the 1960s. However, the West Area Computers did not fully integrate until the workload became overwhelming, necessitating a broader collaboration between racial groups.

Government Policies and Social Change

While the efforts of President Lyndon B. Johnson's executive order (Executive Order 11246) aimed to provide equal opportunity to all minorities, Virginia's Jim Crow laws still held sway. During the WWII era, the West Area facility was constructed to provide employment opportunities for a multitude of African Americans. However, the idea that segregated facilities were inherently equal was central to the Jim Crow philosophy.

The Impact of the Film: Entertainment and Truth

The film, while offering an artistic and entertaining narrative, is not without its imperfections. As noted by Alex Prabhakaran in his critique, the movie Hidden Figures is a typical example of Hollywood-style storytelling, where accuracy is often sacrificed for entertainment. Nonetheless, the film's portrayal of the challenges faced by these women serves to highlight the broader struggle for civil rights and equality in the workplace.

Overall, Hidden Figures serves as both a historical reminder and a powerful narrative of the contributions of African American women to the early US space program, and the significant strides made in the fight for social justice and equality.