The Space Race: A Struggle for Equality and Progress

Lisa Cortes and Diego Hurtado de Mendoza’s documentary, ‘The Space Race,’ sheds light on the significant barriers faced by non-white and non-male individuals, particularly Black astronauts, who were denied the opportunity to fulfill their missions.

Drawing upon extensive interviews and research, ‘The Space Race’ explores the parallel timelines of space exploration and the obstacles encountered by Black astronauts along the way. Former and aspiring astronauts share their personal experiences, shedding light on the hurdles, isolation, and discrimination they faced behind closed doors and classified documents.

One particularly poignant interview is with Ed Dwight, who encountered prejudice from racist commanders and pressure from Black organizations urging him to speak out against injustice. Dwight found himself caught between fitting in with the military establishment and being singled out for his race, ultimately being swept away by the winds of shifting politics. Though he never reached outer space, Dwight’s story is just one of many pioneers featured in Cortes and Hurtado de Mendoza’s film.

‘The Space Race’ occasionally delves beyond NASA, providing informative context such as exploring the style and concept of Afro-futurism. While these excursions could have been longer, they aptly mention influential figures like Octavia Butler, Sun Ra, George Clinton, Parliament, and Earth, Wind, and Fire, all of whom embraced futuristic space imagery long before a person of color made it to space.

The documentary also acknowledges the contributions of Nichelle Nichols, known for her role as Captain Uhura in ‘Star Trek,’ who collaborated with NASA to recruit candidates from underrepresented backgrounds. Furthermore, the film highlights the Russian space program’s achievement of sending an Afro-Cuban cosmonaut, Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez, to space three years before an American Black man. Sadly, Méndez’s accomplishment was not celebrated in the United States, as it represented a ‘first’ that America could not claim for itself.

The true gem of this documentary lies in the remarkable firsthand accounts from those who were there, including Ed Dwight, Guy Bluford (the first African American in space), Fred Gregory (the first African American pilot), Charlie Bolden (future Administrator of NASA), and the new generation of astronauts like Victor Glover and Jessica Watkins. These astronauts grapple with the concept of progress in the wake of George Floyd’s death, connecting with their elder counterparts and reflecting on the ongoing struggle for equality.

‘The Space Race’ shares some similarities with the film ‘Hidden Figures,’ both shining a spotlight on important figures from the space program for a new generation. However, it emphasizes that the quest for equality is an ongoing process, and progress is not as simple as reaching for the stars and achieving ‘firsts.’ While the documentary addresses NASA’s shortcomings, it instills hope in its audience for a better future, even if we have not yet arrived there.

‘The Space Race’ is now available on Disney+ and offers a thought-provoking exploration of the past, present, and future of space exploration and the ongoing pursuit of equality.