Hidden Figures, an incredible true story based on three African American women who served a fundamental role behind one of history’s greatest operations of NASA, including John Glenn’s successful orbit of the Earth, is cinematics that accurately depicts the following concepts behind power and injustice. This empowering movie illustrates a glimpse into the systemic injustices encompassing themes of women’s roles such as racism, segregated rules, and norms, racial issues in terms of systemic injustices, and ultimately power. One of the main systemic injustices portrayed in the movie is the inequalities the African American women had to face in their daily lives. These injustices were rooted behind the hidden racism of the segregation of rules these women had to obey. For example, some instances of inequalities were separate workplaces, bathrooms, drinking fountains, and lunchrooms. There was an assigned “colored” room that only was used by African American women for their work as they were segregated away from the whites. Another instance from the movie was the example where the African American woman was marginalized in the all-white man’s office by being assigned a designated coffee pot labeled “colored”. As a result of these injustices, the woman had to use the separate building for the bathroom which caused them to run 40 minutes back and forth each day. Additionally, African American women had to petition the court to be able to take classes at an all-white school to be able to further their careers due to the reality of segregated schools. Relation to how this work relates to the concept of power is further illustrated by the abuse of power of a police officer. In this specific scene, the cop was being disrespectful to African American women when they broke down on the side of the road. The cop made snarky remarks as this scene emerged the establishment of the thread of white leadership. In addition, all of these specific scenes from the movie further evaluate the concepts of systemic injustices as well as illustrate the concept of power.
This movie exhibits De Beauvoir’s concept of the “One” vs the “Other” that can be illustrated in evaluating these systemic injustices. De Beauvoir’s explanation by “Other” indicates a group of individuals that are defined as inferior in regards to the “Ones” command and authority. This can be clearly seen as an inferiority complex of classification between African Americas and white individuals. The specific example of the cop scene clearly displays this concept of the “One” vs the “Other” in terms of authority and rules/regulations.
I believe that the creator wanted the audience to perceive a deeper comprehension of the injustices these women had faced. Therefore, the message behind this work depicts the injustices faced by not only African American women but women in general who had to overcome many obstacles. This movie does indeed inspire a tough conversation behind the hidden racism as well as how these women’s lives were affected by the systemic injustices presented in the movie.
As a review, I believe this movie demonstrated an amazing performance of three women who conquered segregation, racism, and the systemic injustices they had to face in order to achieve one of the greatest operations in history. This film accurately portrayed a despicable period of enforced segregation and unjust power over African Americans. At the end of the movie, the three women have achieved success throughout their contributions towards NASA and being recognized for their work. Mary, one of the main characters, is seen as obtaining her degree to become an engineer which she had endlessly fought for. Dorothy, another main character, is seen as advancing in her computer programming skills. To sum up, everything that has been stated, Hidden Figures, unravels the concepts behind systemic injustices and power surrounding race and gender, and the barriers these women had to face.
Arina: Throughout this course, we have comprehended and recognized countless situations of systemic injustices, rooted in society’s organizational structures, which are further embedded in current laws and regulations. Systemic injustices present in the healthcare system have influenced a multitude of racial disparities by past ingrained policies of a government that have a continuing impact today. In addition, with the current, widespread Covid-19 crisis, racist policies of the past have constructed a decline in health equity, as it emerged into a social and justice challenge of inequalities affecting ethnic and minority groups.
Marissa: I agree, there is a huge injustice present in the healthcare system faced by people of color in society today. Systemic injustice is deeply ingrained racist thinking and actions embedded in the core foundations of American society that have persisted and continue today. With the start of the covid-19 pandemic, our world was sent into a mass panic over available healthcare. The pandemic put the issues of the healthcare system into the spotlight and mass movements for social justice began to expand. These movements include, ‘Black Lives Matter, this is a prominent movement for the fight against racism in our country, which ties into the racism found in our healthcare system.
Q&A:
Question: How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected disparities?
Arina: Let’s approach this by analyzing this situation of injustices in healthcare, in connection to the current pandemic, by considering the following questions. My thoughts, in regards to how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected disparities lies between evaluating the highlights of the disparities of the structural injustices of health, stemmed from racial discrimination, how does the Covid-19 pandemic affect racial disparities throughout the U.S.
In addition, in an interview with Ruth Faden, spoke about the societal impact of Covid-19 on ethnic and minority groups. In relation to disparities,
Ruth was asked, “For several weeks, race issues took center stage on the news cycle and COVID was not as intensely in the spotlight, yet there are many ways in which these two dynamics intersect. What connections do you see between the intensified movement for racial justice and how people of color have suffered during the pandemic?”(Turello). In this blog, Ruth Faden discussed her opinion on the topic of race issues in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, in today’s society, there are many racial issues and injustices discussed in similar blogs, as well as the numerous other problems that they reflect.
Evaluating Ruth’s interview question, I believe this discrepancy resulted in a significant difference in proportions of population ratios in ethnic and racial minority groups affected by the virus. The identified racial disparities have resulted in an increased amount of hospitalizations as well as mortality rates. Digging deeper into the factors of contribution to an increased risk of contracting the virus would further evaluate in comprehending the racial disparities illustrated in racial minority groups.
Marissa: There are countless disparities seen in the United States, including race, gender, sexual identity, and disability status. With its connection to the healthcare system’s injustices, the recent Covid-19 pandemic has greatly affected racial disparities. By analyzing the injustices against minorities in the healthcare system to the current pandemic one can clearly see this strong connection.
Your evaluation of Ruth Faden’s interview quote is insightful. It is evident through medical reports shown by the media that the racial disparities have caused increased hospitalizations, but more importantly, increased mortality rates. Expanding on your response the connection between the intensified movement for racial justice and people of color suffering during the pandemic can be tied to the death of George Floyd. Mr. Floyd’s death occurred during the heat of the Covid-19 pandemic on May 25th of 2020. Before his death, systemic injustice had been seen in the healthcare system and people of black communities were experiencing this first hand. According to an article written by Sara Rosenbaum, “few aspects of racial injustice and inequity in the United States are better documented than racial inequity in health care”. With the pandemic increasing the documentation of the racial inequality in health care, the untimely death of George Floyd was the final straw, and the fight against racial disparities began in full force.
Question: Factors that contribute to increased risk.
Arina: The factors that contribute to the increased risk of exposure to Covid-19 include socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, community features, poor quality of care, as well as differences in culture and race. Due to America’s history of racism and social inequalities, communities of color have been forced intotightly-packed neighborhoods, resulting in the fueling of the spread of the virus. The disparities of wealth between ethnic minority groups have contributed to leaving these individuals out of jobs, resulting in a decreased access to healthcare. Risk factors such as poverty have shown an increase in the likelihood of becoming sick. Majorities of these individuals are serving as essential workers becoming at higher risk of the virus. The barrier of accessing healthcare has affected these minority groups to acquire insurance and transportation. These factors as well as the racist policies have greatly impacted the areas where minority groups reside. Are there any other factors of disparities that contribute to this risk? Are these factors all systemically rooted from our society?
Marissa: Out of the multiple factors you included that contribute to increased risk of Covid-19, socioeconomic status and access to healthcare are the greatest contributors. People who come from wealth are able to afford expensive healthcare and give their loved ones the best living conditions to avoid getting infected. While poorer people typically live in smaller homes, increasing the chance of spreading the disease amongst members of the household if caught. Also poor minority families have difficulty accessing healthcare, so the people with the highest rates of the disease are the ones that cannot access the needs to get better. These factors are definitely systematically rooted from our society and the new movements brought up during this pandemic are steps in fighting this systemic injustice.
Question:What are current federal efforts to address health disparities?
Arina: The implementation of effective strategies for the prohibition of racial bias and inequalities in the healthcare system, the discussion of racial disparities for the improvement of data systems as well as the advanced method for training medical professionals are solutions for this wrong to be righted.
Ultimately raising public awareness as well as expanding healthcare coverage would be a step in improving and addressing these health disparities.
Conclusively, regarding the current federal efforts to address health disparities, do you anticipate that these efforts will work, or contribute to this injustice being mended? What supplementary efforts do you believe can aid in ending this social justice.
Marissa: Federal efforts to address health disparities are seen through advanced methods for training medical professionals. This means that every person seeking a career in the medical field will be trained to ensure that these disparities do not affect their work, and ability to help others. To expand on your answer about raising public awareness, by increasing people’s awareness of this issue, justice for those that cannot access healthcare will become a reality.
I believe the current federal efforts to address the health disparities will be positive factors in combating this injustice, however these efforts alone will not be enough to solve this issue. There will need to be a larger emphasis on support from other civilians because these are the people that raise kids to become future doctors, and future government personnel that will mend these injustices.
Question: How can the discussion of this blog be connected with material learned in our class?
Arina: According to this blog’s content, a concept that was learned in class comes to mind in relation to the systemic injustices displayed in healthcare. De Beauvoir’s concept of the “One” vs the “Other” can be illustrated in evaluating this systemic injustice. De Beauvoir’s explanation by “Other” indicates a group of individuals that are defined as inferior in regards to the “Ones” command and authority. This illustration symbolizes an inferiority complex of classification. In simpler terms, the “other” is essential as opposed to the “One” who is essential. Therefore, the connection between de Beauvoir’s concept portrays the ethnic and minority racial groups as the “Other” as opposed to society, its government and laws, as being illustrated as the “One”. Additionally the minority groups are inferior to society due to societies embedding discrimination and injustices through its political, social, or economic structures. Marissa is there another concept that we have evaluated in class that develops a connection to this injustice?
Marissa: Yes, De Beauvoir’s concept of the “One” vs the “Other” is not the only concept learned in class that can be related to the systemic injustices displayed in the healthcare system. The concept of the subaltern can also be connected to this injustice. The subaltern is a person or group of people that is below the “Other”. These people have no voice and their low social status causes them to be disregarded in society. This can be related to the topic of our blog because the minority groups in our society are disregarded when it comes to fair access to the healthcare system because of their economic status and color of their skin. These people are considered the “Other”, but the women in these groups can be considered the subaltern because these women are fighting against this injustice while also having to fight against the injustice of earning less than men, and truly having no voice.
Conclusion:
Arina: In conclusion, the effects of racism, discrimination, and systemic injustices played a crucial role factor on the emergence of the Covid-19 disease. The impact of this phenomenon has resulted in a disparity of injustices for minority groups resulting in devastating effects. Therefore in some ways, this pandemic has exposed existing racism and injustices.
Marissa: The pandemic facing our country today has most definitely brought up existing racism throughout our society. Especially the racism seen in the healthcare system, which is even more prominent during this mass health crisis. The inequalities faced by people of color by the American healthcare system contribute to gaps in health insurance coverage and uneven access to services, and has pushed these men and women to protest for their right to equal rights.
-Below, we have additionally attached a video summarizing how systemic injustices of racism has impacted minority communities as well as, leading to an increased vulnerability to Covid-19.
-How systemic racism has led to Covid’19’s rapid spread amount people of color: USA TODAY
The power behind communication, the ability and inability to convey an individual’s own thoughts as well as being able to comprehend and understand the experiences of others has been illustrated as a significant theme in Jhumpa Lahiri’s short story collection Interpreter of Maladies. This collection of stories, published in 1999 by Jhumpa Lahiri, highlights the division of American and Indian immigrant experiences. These stories focus on the change of the characters from their heritage and due to the hardships of assimilation into a new culture as well as adjusting to life in America. The prominent theme of communication is displayed in these short stories. These stories dig deep into the conflict of individuals communicating due to the constant battle of fighting feelings of separation, isolation as well as misinterpretations. Therefore, the theme of communication is seen as the key to maintaining a successful relationship. Throughout these stories, the diverging characters struggle to uphold and attain their past cultural identities by the creation of a new identity in life in America. Despite the difference of where these stories are told or the distinction of characters, the grapple between characters fighting their new life becomes similar as they all face experiences of displacement and exclusion.
Evaluating this theme of communication becomes prominently illustrated in the short story, “Interpreter of Maladies, following an Indian tour guide Mr.Kapasi and his involvement with the Das family. Mr. Das is a character who is displayed with a lack of communication throughout the story. He often lacks communication with his wife, leading him down a path of loneliness and ultimately a failed marriage. Mr. Kapasi, the tour guide, leads with the attempt to try and communicate and approach Mrs. Das. Language is seen as central to Mr.Kapasi’s job as a tour guide as well as his role as the “interpreter of maladies”, being able to translate from one Indian language to another. However, throughout the story, the irony of communication is acknowledged in Mr. Kapasi’s story of his own failure of communication towards his family, and the miscommunication between his relationship with Mrs. Das. He, therefore, is revealed as the lonely husband who shows little to no respect towards his wife resulting in a negative outlook on life throughout his lens of an unhappy marriage. As a result, he, therefore, is drawn to Mrs. Das, constantly fantasizing about communication with her. The irony behind this serves that is Mr. Kapasi illustrates himself as an “interpreter” but is ultimately viewed as having trouble interpreting his relationship with Mrs. Das. Therefore, based on the theme of communication, communication is highlighted when it is lacking between Mr. and Mrs. Das’s inability to communicate with each other, ultimately leading to the failure behind their marriage. Communication is displayed as a major factor in expanding perceptions as well as creating meaningful connections and relationships with each other. Therefore, miscommunication is emphasized in this short story, ultimately altering the perception of another individual.
With this current week of focused readings on Asian immigrants and their experiences, I have chosen to expand on the systemic injustices that lie behind the multitude of patterns of segregation across metropolitan city areas primarily focused on the dissociation of ethnic minority groups from established communities. Digging deeper into this research, I have gained an understanding that these arrangements of exclusion are rooted in past segregation housing policies to exclude numerous portions of immigrants. I have specifically decided to explore the segregation of Chinatowns.
This entry will focus on the policies behind the voluntary segregation of Chinatowns throughout cities like New York City and Detroit. The establishment of these towns dates back to the 1800s as a result of exclusion laws for incoming immigrants. Legal barriers such as economic hardship, refusal of owning property, voting restrictions, and housing exclusion, have prevented the assimilation of Chinese immigrants to be integrated within other cities. Housing and labor discrimination kept Chinese immigrants from being able to work outside of these cities. Therefore, the establishment of these segregated cities resulted from various state and federal laws and policies. The government has been issuing strict immigration policies, prohibiting Chinese immigrants to become American citizens resulting in a barrier for these immigrants to buy and own property. Therefore, these policies contributed to the rise of segregated Chinatowns. In order for this wrong to be right, government state and local policies would have to invest in the effort to stamp out discrimination laws against the housing market as well as shifting priorities to lower opportunity neighborhoods with access to greater resources. Similarly, the impact of these situations of segregation causes the uprise of concentrated neighborhoods with rising levels of disease, higher mortality rates, poor housing conditions, and fewer investments of banks throughout these areas.
This division of ethnic minority groups would be distinguished as systemic injustices due to these inequalities stemming from the structures of society by institutions and laws. The ethnicity of these minority groups was the category of identity that was distinguished. The impact of the segregation of these cities promoted poor housing conditions, lower socioeconomic status, as well as limited job opportunities. The impact of segregated cities on the society level as a whole causes the rise of inequality and stereotypes. This racial segregation ultimately leads to high-poverty neighborhoods and the decline of investments in these areas for improved living and housing conditions as well as safety.
These policies have denied Chinese immigrants well-resourced and opportunity-rich neighborhoods leading to inadequate services. In conclusion, we can make the observation that these federal and local policies have constructed ethnic and racial segregation resulting in the exclusion of Chinese immigrants in local cities contributing to the disadvantages and concentrated poverty levels throughout these segregated cities. These systematic disparities create ongoing racial inequalities, with detrimental consequences on ethnic minority groups.
In relation to Chinatowns and their connection to the theoretical concepts that have been discussed in class, the concept behind the “One and Other” have been illustrated. De Beauvoir’s explanation by “Other” indicates a group of individuals that are defined as inferior in regards to the “Ones” command and authority, symbolizing an inferiority complex of classification as the “Other” is being portrayed as inessential. In this example, the “One” is displayed as the society or the U.S which has imposed these immigration policies and laws by the segregation of these individuals into these towns. Therefore, Asian American immigrants are displayed as the “Other” as they are under the hands of the U.S authority implementing these towns. Therefore, the “Other” are forced to live with insufficient services as well as inadequate jobs due to the fear of the Asian American labor force becoming a threat to the American economy. These individuals are regularly prohibited from participating in political acts as well.
I enjoyed reading the presentation you provided with a detailed and more thorough explanation of the Master/Slave dialect. This presentation aided me in understanding the readings more clearly due to the comparisons that were provided. The post was helpful in demonstrating how you mentioned that both are dependant on each other, both benefit from each other. One example that I chose to relate to this dialect is the king and his people’s illustration. The king cannot hold the power of being a “master” if his people do not know their power as “slaves.” Thank you for the clarifying presentation.
