Apparel with logos and messages, cameras, desktop and laptop computers, smartphones, and social media platforms.
Positive Messages
a lot
Diversity, equity, and inclusion may help to make the world a better place for all. Kids and teens can consider STEM-related careers in the aerospace industry such as astronaut, engineer, and scientist.
Positive Role Models
a lot
Star Trek actor Nichelle Nichols, who played Nyota Uhura on the TV series, engages in NASA campaign ads to recruit BIPOC individuals and women to become astronauts; Charles Bolden is an African American astronaut nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to become the administrator of the NASA program; and many of the featured pioneer Black astronauts become mentors who help pave the way for future generations in the field of aeronautics.
Diverse Representations
a lot
AstronautGuion Bluford is the first African American man to go into space in 1983; Mae Jemison is the first African American woman astronaut to travel into space in 1992; and Arnado Tampo Méndez is the first person of African and Cuban descent to fly in space as part of a Soviet space mission in 1980.
Parents need to know that The Space Race is a documentary about pioneering Black astronauts. Images and references address topics including racism, segregation, enslavement, deaths, assassinations, an airplane crash, a spacecraft explosion, cigarette and pipe smoking, and a mention of drinking. Language includes frequent use of hell" and the "N" word. Also heard are the slurs "coons" and "boy," as well as "ass," "damn," and "oh my God." Underlying everything is the positive theme of making efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion to help make the world a better place for all. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
In THE SPACE RACE, Black astronauts share their stories about breaking barriers in the aerospace industry during the 20th century. Several of the trailblazers discuss through archival footage and firsthand interviews their career experiences ranging from systemic racism to recognition as heroes.
Documentarians Diego Hurtado de Mendoza and Lisa Cortés offer an informative film journey about Black aerospace history. In The Space Race, anecdotes are shared by a team of trailblazers, which includes astronaut Charles Bolden. "Growing up, my mom and dad, they always talked about possibility," he says. "I loved the space program and was enamored with it, but nobody doing that stuff looked like me." But Bolton pursues his passion, becomes a NASA astronaut, and later lands as the space program's first African American administrator. "As a Black astronaut," explains Bernard Harris, "we are symbols of what we can accomplish as a people despite what others may think of us."
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Sabrina McFarland
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
