In 2016, Trump had campaigned on building a border wall (this video was from 2017), so it was very much a hot topic that everyone had an opinion on. The fact that 84 Lumber wasn't able to put the entire commercial (and I don't think it was purely for time sake, they could have edited it down to get to the same conclusion in a shorter video) says a lot about how it would have outraged some. I've also noticed that (at least now) the comments have been turned off.

On a personal note, the commercial didn't really change my perspective on the issue, because I was already of the same opinion as 84 Lumber that anyone with "The will to succeed is always welcome here." However, I still remember this commercial all these years later and could remember that it was a lumber company with a number in its name, and I had never even heard of that company prior to the commercial. It's probably the only commercial I can remember from that year, so even though it didn't change my mind on the issue, it still left an impression on me.

When reflecting on the book and this movie I think about the simpler times where kids about go ride their bikes and play outside during the summer. There always seems to be a leader in the group. Friends could influence other's even if it was something risky that they shouldn't do. I think society would think that this movie would not be appropriate for kids of today. Back in the 80's it was part of everyday life of going out and playing with friends until dark, calling each other names, etc. It was not bad parenting it was what our parents knew. Now parents give their children phones, so they know where they are all the time.

Personally, both the book and the movie have made me think a lot about how and when I grew up, I would not want to change it. Movies and books are shared in two very different ways. The book is more realistic where the movies and media tend to downplay tragic events.

I feel like this is something kids struggle with. They want everything handed to them with minimal effort. Then get mad when those who are pushing through the hard times are going further. Showing you get out of life what you put into it.

As an educator working with students who have diverse needs, this media made me feel hopeful and seen. It reminded me how powerful representation can be — especially when done with care. Watching Julia interact with Elmo and Big Bird gave me ideas for how to better explain differences and inclusion to my students. It also sparked classroom conversations about how we can be kind, patient, and curious — not judgmental — when someone learns or communicates differently.

The film reflects a true story of three African American women (i.e. Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson) who worked as mathematicians (referred to as “human computers”) at NASA and they played crucial roles in the success of the U.S. space program (particularly John Glenn’s orbital flight in 1962). The use of mathematics was central throughout the film as Katherine Johnson used advanced calculations of “analytic geometry” to determine flight paths and landing coordinates. I found it interesting that the use of an IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) computing machine was also a central focus within this movie (i.e. considering the IBM reference within the famous “Apple 1984 Commercial” for the prompt to this exercise as well).

My reflections on the “Positive and Negative impacts on Society and/or Culture” are as follows:

On the positive side, the movie brought overdue recognition to African-American women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, which likely had an inspiring effect on many young individuals (or students) to see mathematics not just as abstract equations but as tools that can change the history of humankind. It highlights how mathematics can be applied to real-world, high-stakes problems like space travel. Culturally, the film also challenged stereotypes and broadened the representation of mathematicians in media.

I had to do some research in order to discern a negative side, and I found that some critics of the movie argued that Hollywood dramatized or oversimplified certain historical events, which could have distorted how some people perceived both math’s complexities and the systemic barriers those women faced.

For me, as a math educator, Hidden Figures reinforced the importance of showing students how math/geometry connects to meaningful, real-world applications. Watching how Katherine Johnson supposedly applied analytic geometry so confidently to solve trajectory problems deepened my perspective on how I can possibly frame classroom lessons, not just as abstract exercises, but as skills with powerful (life-changing) potential. The movie made me feel even more motivated to figure out ways to further connect my students’ math learning to authentic problem-solving and to emphasize its representation within STEM fields.

I found the image to be inspiring and a great resource for people to use. A lot of people may struggle to find a way to track living expenses and maintaining a balance with their finances, and this is a great example to show people a way to do that. This is something I need to probably do too.

There were several positives and negatives of this ad. The phrase “Got Milk” was a popularized slogan that people would repeat and would easily be recognized. It also indirectly encouraged interest in American history, which would be the goal of showing it to students as well. Some students did not know who Aaron Burr was, but he is a significant individual in history, so some would learn who he was so they would understand the ad. Although this ad was funny and clever, which drew in an audience, there were also several negatives that could be perceived. There were many recreations of the “Got Milk” ad, which could be seen as repetitive. Additionally, in terms of history, it may have been seen as knowledge that wasn’t important or that could be skimmed, rather than learned more deeply. 

I think the ad was a clever way to bring some sort of history into it. I think with this, it can be shown to students to bring questions to the table, such as “What do you think they were implying with the duel?” or “What was the significance of the duel?” It was relatable when thinking about peanut butter and how it affects speaking. It also was relatable for history. I did not know much about Hamilton, as I haven’t watched the play or films. After seeing this ad, I looked up who both were and their significance in history. In this way, the ad connected the audience to a broader topic, which is American history. Looking at the ad and comparing it to advertising, I realized how important advertising can be. The ad was able to be a big influence on the everyday world, as the catchphrase “Got Milk” was very popular throughout the rest of the 1990s and even in the 2000s. It was able to shape everyday habits as well, encouraging many to drink milk, as well as subtly introduce history into everyday lives as well through the use of Hamilton and Aaron Burr. 

Positive and Negative Impacts on Society/Culture:
On the positive side, the ad shows people hanging out and having fun, which makes the product seem normal and social. On the negative side, it encourages teens to use vaping products, which can be harmful and addictive. It also shows how media can influence choices without people realizing it.

Personal Impact:
Watching this ad made me realize how much advertising tries to make unhealthy stuff look cool. Seeing it made me think about how students at my school are influenced by ads and trends, and how media can affect decisions even when people know it’s bad for them.

Positive and Negative Impacts on Society/Culture

• Positive:

  • Helped normalize conversations around emotions for children and adults.

  • Teachers, counselors, and parents began using the movie as a tool to explain emotional regulation and mental health in kid-friendly ways.

  • Promoted empathy and understanding of feelings like sadness and fear, not just happiness.

• Negative:

  • Some critics felt it oversimplified complex mental health issues.

  • A few parents worried it made children label emotions too rigidly (thinking each emotion is separate, rather than blended).

Personal Impact (Teacher Perspective)

• As an educator, Inside Out has given me a concrete, visual way to talk about emotions with my 3rd graders.

• It made me more intentional about giving students the language and tools to describe feelings like “anger,” “sadness,” and “joy.”

• Personally, it reminded me that all emotions serve an important purpose, even the ones we sometimes think of as “bad.”

This example ties directly into SEL curriculum since it shows how media (a children’s movie) shaped both culture and classroom practices by sparking conversations about emotions and mental health.

Personally I love it because it is like listening to music when you work. You can turn any sort of podcast that you want on. Whether it be political, educational, mind numbing, or just one of your general interests you can put the podcast on and learn a thing or two about any topic.

Reflect on Personal Impact:
Personally, I use lessons from Ted Lasso in my coaching. I love Ted’s energy, which reminds me of times I used to have fake energy. Watching him has taught me to always look for the bright side, stay positive, and genuinely encourage others, which has made me a better leader and coach.