A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF RACISM OF AFRICAN WOMAN IN THE FILM “HIDDEN FIGURES”

Abstract

This study examines the representation of racism and the structural limitations experienced by African-American women in the film Hidden Figures (2016) through a critical analytical approach. The film portrays the true story of three African-American female scientists—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—who worked at NASA during the era of racial segregation in the United States. Employing the theoretical framework of intersectionality and racial critique, this research explores how these women confronted systemic barriers rooted in both racial and gender discrimination within a white male–dominated professional environment. The findings reveal that Hidden Figures powerfully represents the dual struggle of Black women against stereotypes, social exclusion, and institutional inequality. The study underscores the importance of recognizing the visibility and contributions of minority women in historical and cultural narratives. Furthermore, it highlights the necessity of adopting an intersectional perspective to understand the complex dynamics of race, gender, and power within popular culture and formal institutions.