Reflecting on the Space Race, one cannot deny the overwhelming sense of aspiration for the future, and the amazement at the leaps and bounds made over those defining decades which ultimately landed a man on the moon. As Neil Armstrong so famously put it, “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." But, as Lisa Cortes and Diego Hurtado de Mendoza illustrate in their new film, “The Space Race,” the steps leading to such momentous leaps were not equally available to all Americans.
Their timely and insightful documentary, based on extensive research and interviews, unveils the journey of black astronauts whose parallel plot weave into the tapestry of space exploration. The film presents several stunning accounts from past and potential astronauts who reveal the barriers and seclusion they experienced, hidden behind closed doors and classified documents.
"One of the many stories that resonate so strongly is that of Ed Dwight," describes the film. Unjust pressure from his white commanders, discriminatory advisements from legendary test pilot Chuck Yeager, and the social expectations of the time meant Dwight never got to break earth’s gravitational pull, despite his extraordinary qualifications. The wedge of racial politics had him trapped in a balancing act between his military duties and his racial identity.
“The Space Race” intriguingly extends its narrative beyond NASA, venturing into the domain of Afro-futurism. It touches on remarkable creatives, such as Octavia Butler, Sun Ra, George Clinton, Parliament, and Earth, Wind, and Fire, all who established futuristic space imagery years before a person of color made it to space.
A shoutout to Nichelle Nichols, famed Captain Uhura on “Star Trek,” is noted for her talent-seeking ventures with NASA aimed at expanding the pool of astronauts to include those from underrepresented backgrounds. The documentary takes a detour to briefly discuss the Russian space program which, interestingly, sent an Afro Cuban cosmonaut, Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez, to space years ahead of the US having a Black astronaut.
At the heart of this captivating documentary are the poignant first-hand accounts from figures such as Guy Bluford, the first African American in space, and Fred Gregory, the first African American pilot. It also features insights from Charlie Bolden, former NASA Administrator, and a new generation of astronauts, such as Victor Glover and Jessica Watkins, who are engaging with these seminal discussions in the age of George Floyd.
This new generation is looking back and connecting with these pioneers while simultaneously obliquely observing the concept of progress in the era of intensified racial discourse. “The Space Race” spotlights pertinent figures from the space program much in the same way as the film “Hidden Figures” did, showing however that the quest for equality is far from over, and progress isn't just about clocking in a “first.”
While highlighting NASA's failings, “The Space Race” offers its viewers a glimpse at a hope-filled future – a future that is yet to arrive, but one that seems within reach, continued and remembered through such stories of unsung heroes.
