# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What does it mean to be an American? | Scholastic.com

# data[].attributes.headline
In Fitzgeralds novel, The Great Gatsby, There were multiple characters that did not achieve their Americans dream. Gatsby, for example, did not achieve his dream of getting Daisy Buchanan because he got murdered. Myrtle did not achieve her dreams of being with Tom Buchanan because she was going to move, and she also didn't achieve her dream of escaping out of the Valley of Ashes because she got hit by a car and died. There are multiple people in the book that did not achieve their dream. Regardless, these people continued to fight for their dreams to a great extent. Americans are determined and dedicated to achieving their dreams.

# data[].attributes.subject
In Fitzgeralds novel, The Great Gatsby, There were multiple characters that did not achieve their Americans dream. Gatsby, for example, did not achieve his dream of getting Daisy Buchanan because he got murdered. Myrtle did not achieve her dreams of being with Tom Buchanan because she was going to move, and she also didn't achieve her dream of escaping out of the Valley of Ashes because she got hit by a car and died. There are multiple people in the book that did not achieve their dream. Regardless, these people continued to fight for their dreams to a great extent. Americans are determined and dedicated to achieving their dreams.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It's 1961 and segregation is rife in America. The US and USSR are locked in a Cold War and the Space Race is its most public battle. Each country is ferociously trying to assert its power over the other while their citizens live in perpetual fear.

All the while, three unassuming women in an office in Virginia are changing the course of history.

Hidden Figures tells the story of these three African-American mathematicians; Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. During the Cold War, the trio worked at Nasa's Langley Research Centre in Hampton as the US raced against the USSR to put a man into space. The intellectuals played a vital role in the launch of the now late astronaut John Glenn into orbit as well as in orchestrating his safe return.

The highly lauded film - which has already won awards from the Screen Actors Guild, African-American Film Critics Association, Casting Society of America and received nominations for the Academy Awards and British Academy Film Awards - is released in the UK on February 17. Based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly, it aims to showcase what can be done in the face of adversity, when sexism and racism tries to put you in a box and what can happen when these walls are knocked down.

"The locals thought [Nasa] guys were weird so they were able to do 'weird' things like hire African-American women"
Bill Barry, Nasa's chief historian

"It wasn't a story that was well known - even in the historical community at Nasa," Bill Barry, Nasa's chief historian told WIRED. "I was familiar with the fact there were people who did computing and that they were African-American women but I wasn't aware there was a completely segregated unit at one point in time."

To make the film as historically accurate as possible, the Hidden Figures production crew liaised with a select team at the space agency, which included Barry. "They sent the script over, I commented on it and then spent a lot of time on the phone with Ted [Melfi, the film's director], talking it, back and forth. Then the questions started pouring in. People all across Nasa wanted to be involved in making sure the film was as accurate as possible."

Every scene was painstakingly combed over to capture the essence of 1960s Nasa and America, even down to the details - the lamposts, the trees and even the size of the spaces - in the car park at Langley (which was actually shot in a parking lot in Georgia). Langley is still at the heart of Nasa; it is one of the 10 major research centres in the US, but for financial and security reasons the film was shot on location in Atlanta. "They did a great job re-creating the working feel of Langley at those sets," Barry said.

When we first meet Johnson, Vaughan and Jackson in the film they're employed as "computers" at Langley. Computers worked on intense math calculations to support the work of the male engineers and scientists at the agency at the time. During the 1960s, the organisation was working on Project Mercury - the first human spaceflight program of the US with the goal of putting a man into Earth's orbit and have him return to Earth safely.

Project Mercury: getting man into space

Project Mercury was the Nasa program that put the first American astronauts in space. The first of six flights under the program was made in 1961, the last took place in 1963.

Two of Project Mercury's flights were suborbital, meaning they reached space and returned immediately. The other four went into orbit and circled Earth.

Before astronauts flew in Project Mercury, Nasa conducted unmanned test flights. The first Atlas rocket with a Mercury capsule exploded, while the first Mercury-Redstone launch only went four inches off the ground.

A rhesus monkey called Sam, and two chimpanzees, Ham and Enos, flew in Mercury capsules before humans. Enos launched on an Atlas rocket and made two orbits around Earth, proving to Nasa the journey was safe for astronauts.

Alan Shepard made the first Mercury flight, becoming the first American in space, followed by Gus Grissom and later John Glenn who, in 1962, became the first American to orbit Earth.

"During World War Two, President Roosevelt had said there was a needed to get more African-Americans to work in the war effort," continued Barry. "So the leadership at Langley, despite the cultural prejudice in the area, hired these African-American women as mathematicians and computers. They did a great job at it and that situation changed."

On Ada Lovelace Day, WIRED highlights the women in STEM changing our world

In fact, Nasa was one of the few employers at the time willing to employ African-American women. One of the reasons Nasa and Langley were able to buck this trend was because it was, as Barry describes it, "nerd-heaven".

"People from all over the country flocked there if they wanted to work in aeronautics research. A lot of them weren't from the South so the environment at Langley on the work side was different from the local area. The locals in Hampton thought the [Nasa] guys were weird and eccentric so they were able to do 'weird' things like hire African-American women for semi-professional jobs, which would never have happened in another business in Virginia."

Throughout Hidden Figures we see these barriers of racial discrimination outside Langley being broken down as the women strive to be more than just computers. There is a poignant scene in which the character Al Harrison, Johnson's supervisor played by Kevin Costner, breaks down the "colored bathroom" sign. It's symbolic as an example of the racial barriers being smashed for black people at Nasa. Unfortunately, it's not an entirely true representation of the organisation at the time.

"It's a great moment in the film, but they took a little dramatic license with it," said Barry. "The movie takes a lot of things that happened in the 1950s and moved them into that time period to tell the story effectively."

Though African-Americans had to use separate bathrooms and dining rooms when working at Nasa in the first half of the 20th Century, segregation at Langley had mostly been eliminated by the late 1950s. As Nasa was part of the US federal government, it had been working towards de-segregation - quietly, so as not to attract the attention of the Virginia state government. "By 1961-62, when the movie happened, most of the physical trappings of segregation would have gone from Langley."

Even though the physical barriers of segregation were removed, the women still faced much discrimination and battled against it for decades.

Hidden Figures/20th Century Fox

Mary Jackson, played by Janelle Monae, became the first African-American female engineer at Nasa but was forced to leave in the 1970s after becoming frustrated that women weren't being given the promotions they deserved. "She gave up her job as an engineer to work as an equal opportunity person at Langley. She used her engineering skills and math skills to prove that promotion reach for women was statistically not fair," said Barry. "She actually got the promotions system changed at Langley, and across Nasa, as a result of her research." Jackson died in 2005.

A voyage of Discovery: a look back at one of Nasa's most important space shuttles

Dorothy Vaughan, played by Octavia Spencer, moved from being a computer to a computer programmer when IBM machines were introduced at Nasa. She became the first African-American female supervisor at the organisation, and continued to work there until the 1970s. She died in 2008.

Katherine Johnson, played by Taraji P Henson, continued working as a Nasa analyst until the early 1980s. She went on to work in aeronautics research, on the Apollo 11 and Apollo 13 missions. In 2015, Johnson was awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama, and last year a Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility was formally dedicated to her at Langley. Barry met Johnson, who is now 98 years old, at a premiere for the film in Hampton. "She's quite a character. As my mum would have said, she still has all her marbles - she's still really sharp." At this year's Oscars, Johnson received a standing ovation when she was escorted to the stage by Nasa astronaut Yvonne Cagle.

Showing the positive work of the women and how they changed Nasa was one of the reasons the agency supported the film. "We see it as a way to get our message out to people that we're an organisation that wants people with talent - no matter what you look like."

Despite efforts to ensure the diverse make up of Nasa is equal to that of the US population, the organisation still struggles to hire enough women and people of colour. "We're nowhere near 50 per cent representation of women in Nasa and I suspect that even brain power isn't evenly distributed in the level we have. The same applies with African-American people and a number of minority groups. The numbers don't reflect the capabilities."

Nasa/courtesy Vaughan family

The inspiring depiction of the three women has resonated with audiences and critics across the US; it beat Star Wars: Rogue One on its opening weekend. In addition, the film was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Octavia Spencer. It recently won a Screen Actor's Guild Award for Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture. This is a matter of pride for Nasa. "We're really proud of our history. We had these incredible women working for us that helped us get to space, so we're really proud of the history."

But Hidden Figures is about empowering everyone. "We're hoping the success of the movie will inspire people to into math and science fields," says Barry. "It gets the word out that women, in particular, but people of all races and genders, are looked at, at Nasa based on their capabilities, not what they look like. And we need all kinds of people to help us get to Mars in the future."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Hidden Figures: the true story behind the women who changed Nasa's place in the Space Race

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It's 1961 and segregation is rife in America. The US and USSR are locked in a Cold War and the Space Race is its most public battle. Each country is ferociously trying to assert its power over the other while their citizens live in perpetual fear.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
How I define American identity is living in the land founded by both political and religious leaders, and being part of the American culture. As Americans we are viewed as the abolitionist who fights for what we believe is just. During the founding years of our nation we were led by thoughts of both the radicals and constrictive, religious and political leaders. Over the years we have come to reach a state of equilibrium between the opposing groups for a stable and functioning society.

Most Americans value civil rights. Compared to countries around the world, the United States is a younger country. From day one the United States has always been known for its freedom and democracy. Today's society is in a constant state of evolution. Every day there is new progress made somewhere; whether it is along the lines of technology, medicine or knowledge, somewhere in the world there are new advancements beings made continually. With America being such a young nation compared to other countries around the world we evolve at a rate much faster than most. If you look at the recent revolts over the past few years, they take place in regions where the governing limits the power of the people. In our society we the people limit the power of the controlling government. The Declaration of Independence opens with "We the people," including all of those who make up the nation. When the power is literally placed in the hands of those who it directly effects, by no means does this limit our people but pushes them to explore and question the unknown of the nation we control.

Even though our society can be broken down into different ethnicities, as a whole we are a culture of our own. A very unique bread of all our own, the values, dedication, hard work, and perseverance makes us American. With America being an infant country, we pull the strengths from all different regions of the world to build what we call the American identity. Regardless of where your blood has come from Americans come together to value hard work, perseverance, freedom, and determination to better their lives. Even though we all come from something different we all have the pursuit of happiness. All of this combined is why we call ourselves American and is what makes up the true American identity which we all can relate to.

To me, I am myself and no one else.I don't find following the role of someone else to be unique or enjoyable.I do what I enjoy regardless of other people's opinions. I personally would much rather become my own leader then follow someone else. Setting aside others' views on how I live my life allows me to live my life how I enjoy it, not how others think I should.

I enjoy a lively social life while still having my own personal alone time.One of my favorite pastimes is motocross or, anything a little on the edge mixed with speed. At the end of the day when the small things start to get to me, I always have my bike to hop on and just let everything go while I ride. When I am riding it allows me to have that time to myself and just enjoy what I am doing. Not having to worry about what else is happening in life with all of the stressors and responsibilities. Once I reach that point when I am relaxed I start to rewrap my head around all of the thoughts. I find that time important to clear my mind for that point in time. This allows me to regroup my thoughts and process them clearly.

One example that strikes my mind is from a few months back right at the start of my first semester at SUNY Fredonia. In early August I had experienced a loss in my family that really was quite mind-blowing, the death of my uncle and the next day the death of a friend. After the news was first relayed to me I didn't seem to believe it to be true. The first thing I did was grab my keys and load up my bike and take off to the local track for the rest of the day. That afternoon I spent what seemed to be like ten minutes riding my bike, when in reality I had been riding for hours. During that time I first managed to just lose myself and forget about everything. The very next day I spent the entire day on my bike again in attempts to straighten out what had seemed dreamlike and bring it back to reality. Over the second day, I used motocross as an escape to help clear my head, allowing it all too slowly once again be comprehended and accepted for what it's worth.

I believe that for myself motocross and bike are just two things that help me identify who I am. At times I am a bit outspoken; I have created enemies over speaking what is on my mind. To me it is very important to express your thoughts freely and clearly so others can understand your ideas. Sometimes I am not always right but when someone brings up a valid point and backs it up I respect it. When I was younger one of my teachers Mr. Frank Burst had told me, "Having enemies is not always a bad thing. It shows that over time you have stood up for something you believe in; consequently you will be taken seriously and never as a joke." I always try to keep that in the back of my mind during everyday life. By doing this I will never be pushed around and walked over for having a different opinion on something. I believe if you feel strongly about something you should stand up and support what it is you believe in. If you don't have the courage to stand up and support the belief you should not have the belief in the first place. I have learned that you sometimes have to act alone before others start to follow. Most of the time if you have a unique view on something there is someone who also has the same view, and if you act first others will follow. While I am not always the most open with discussion I am never afraid to support something I believe in. If it is something on personal side I most likely will not share it with you. When it comes to personal privacy I am respectful. If I feel the need to share something from my personal life it will be known. The odds are if it is something a bit more personal than I am not willing to share you will not clue there is something relevant there to relate to.

My own personal experiences I've had with American identity are something you cannot teach in a classroom setting. To me they are something that is much easier to comprehend with reflection on your own experiences as you grow up. Over the years I have been fortunate enough to travel all over the country and different parts of the world to experience culture first-hand. The American culture is truly unique, like no other. The American identity is full of perception and personal opinions. What your beliefs are something only you have to own up to. Not every family lives in a beautiful two-story home with a dog and a yard. Today the true American identity is becoming more of another radical. While we all have the same endpoint, individually we have our own pathways in the succession of achieving the goal at the end. Everyone takes in their own past experiences to create how they see topics differently. Psychology has proven that we all reflect back on our past experiences when it comes time to make a choice. In fear of committing the same mistake twice, we learn how use our experience to dictate our future actions.

Even though I am very proud of my Native American and Irish heritage it is not very often that I will identify as strictly that. I am sure that my ancestors before me have worked very hard of what they had become and shaped the lives of those after them, but I have been shaped by more than just my ancestors. I am one person who has been shaped by everything I am exposed to, from my heritage to those I come in contact with daily.

For me in my own experience from around the world the American lifestyle is something idolized by those who do not have it, and taken for granted by those who do have possession of it. I personally have spent the time over the years to sit down and talk with others from various parts of the world and hear their opinions about Americans as whole. The general consensus is that most do not appreciate what they have and how lucky they are. Over the well-invested time I have spent talking with others, I have heard several people mention radical gestures stating what they would do to just live the life of freedoms Americans have. I myself have been in both public and private schools going up and have had the chance to meet all different people. Some of my best friends are anything but a similar person--much more like opposites of each other. One of my best friends growing up would always tell me "you are so lucky that your parents are not divorced." Even though I would get into fights with my parents I would not have to deal with the stress of living out of two different homes with different sets of rules. I am come to understand how lucky enough I am to have only one place I call home. Another one of my good friends came from a very wealthy family with what most would call a very expendable income. This allowed me to witness the difference between someone who had too much and someone who hardly had enough. In high school he would buy new shoes every week simply because the other pair was dirty or scuffed. At the end of senior year for graduation he was handed the keys to a new truck while the rest of us got a pat on the back from mom and dad as they said, "we are proud of you, son."Most people would be happy with just having a car being me age, when he would not settle for a vehicle that was nothing less than what some would consider a small mortgage.

By being exposed to different extremes it has opened my eyes to how different the people of America are today but how as a whole we can come together as one country. One of my favorite questions I have always managed to ask over the years is "how would you feel if the government took away just half of your freedom and threatened your pursuit of happiness?" Oddly enough most people respond with very strong feelings of how they would feel obligated to stand against it and fight for it back. As Americans as a whole we are very fond of the privileges that we do have, even if we all do not use them to their true potential.Each individual has a unique place and without them, the country would not be the same. My own personal life experiences and those shared by others have helped develop who I have grown to become today.

Today I would identify myself as who I am and what I have become over the past 19 years. Everything from my hobbies, heritage, friends and family, personal characteristics, and past experiences have helped me find myself on what I would use to call my own personal identify. With my own personal identity discovered it can be used to contribute to another variety or blend into the personality that we have come to known as today's American Identity.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How I define American identity is living in the land founded by both political and religious leaders, and being part of the American culture. As Americans we are viewed as the abolitionist who fights for what we believe is just.

# data[].attributes.headline
"In English my name means hope. In Spanish it means too many letters. It means sadness, it means waiting. It is like the number nine. A muddy color. It is the Mexican records my father plays on Sunday mornings when he is shaving, songs like sobbing." (Cisneros 10)

# data[].attributes.subject
"In English my name means hope. In Spanish it means too many letters. It means sadness, it means waiting. It is like the number nine. A muddy color. It is the Mexican records my father plays on Sunday mornings when he is shaving, songs like sobbing." (Cisneros 10)

# data[].attributes.body
"What does it mean to be an American? While each of us may have our own specific answer to that question, we likely can agree on the basic principles of America: freedom, equal opportunity, and rights accompanied by responsibilities."
-Ben Nelson

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Lyrics to 'War' by Edwin Starr: Peace, love and understanding tell me Is there no place for anything else? They say we must fight To keep our freedoms But

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Everything you ever wanted to know about Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye, written by masters of this stuff just for you.