Kiki Jewell
Jul 20, 2017 · 2 min read

I added a section on the husbands in the movie. And I must say I am ashamed I had forgotten them! (Racism is a constant internal battle, but it is a fight I will not give up.)

Here’s the excerpt I added:

Women need men to support them

The two husbands in the movie (one proposed during the movie) both made important personal transitions — and each became the hidden champions of their heroic wives.

Levi Jackson, Mary Jackson’s husband, at first tries to talk Mary out of becoming an engineer. “All I’m saying, don’t play a fool. I don’t want to see you get hurt. NASA’s never given you gals your due, having another degree won’t change that. Civil rights ain’t always civil,” he says. But he makes an important transformation when Mary heads out to her first day of class — giving her both class supplies…and his love, support, and encouragement.

Aldis Hodge describes Levi Jackson as a “kind-natured soul, as a family man,” and how he loved portraying the support he gave his wife, especially given the difficult times they lived in during the Civil Rights Movement.

Colonel Jim Johnson, at first, is openly surprised at Katherine’s math abilities, when he says, “that’s pretty heady stuff — do they let women handle that sort of work?” He likes her and is interested in her, but this admission puts her off, rightly so. He has a hard time winning her over, until he realizes his mistake. His own transformation is important. He finally says to her, “I’m sorry I underestimated you,” then adds, “and all women like you.” The apology makes all the difference to Katherine — especially the last part, which is when she finally is able to warm to him. That last part is the most important part — he’s not making concessions just for her, but has opened his eyes to the fact that many woman have skills that are commonly underestimated. He’s not just trying to win her over, but has really changed.

These women had the support and strength of these open-minded, and loving men behind them. That support can make the difference in being able to keep up the courage against a constant barrage of barriers and discouragement. Only those who know you deeply and love you can really give you the honest and heartfelt respect that can be the solid rock, the backbone of facing the challenges of being a black woman in a white male dominated field that already has its own inherent challenges.

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