Beneath The Shadow Of The Freeway Analysis

The poem Beneath the Shadow of the Freeway written by Lorna Dee Cervantes, and the movie Hidden Figures originally a book written by Margot Lee Shetterly both convey the theme of empowerment to hard-working, strong women who can be just as smart and diligent as a man without the actual help of one. Both Dee Cervantes’ poem and Shetterly’s movie/book voice the importance of being strong willed as a women and making a life for yourself regardless your situation. Two concepts I found in these pieces of literature that I would like to obtain personally is the topic: focus on what you can control, not what you can’t, and cultivate a strong support group to achieve your success. Focus on what you can control, not what you can’t. In the movie Hidden

One of the more uplifting themes in Hidden Figures is the power of sisterhood. The three women NASA mathematicians depend upon each other for advice, laughter, support and a safe haven from the daily stresses of their lives and workplace. In Beneath the Shadow of the Freeway, Dee Cervantes lives in a woman family where both her mother and grandmother found their places in each others lives. Her grandmother, the “innocent Queen” and her mother, the “Swift Knight, Fearless Warrior”. Both given Dee Cervantes knowledge upon their years. Her grandmother, wears loose braids and she trusts only what she build with her hands. She likes the way of birds because "They don't leave their families borrachando." Her mother, gave Dee Cervantes wisdom: "You're too soft . . . always were. You'll get nothing but shit. Baby, don't count on nobody." This only sparked something in Dee Cervantes and in her later years, every night she sleeps with a gentle man, wears her hair in loose braids, and only trusts what she builds in her own hands. The women in her life impacted her and pushed her to make a better life for herself. She had her support group just like Katherine Johnson had. I believe it is important to have a strong support group in order to acquire success because everyone needs this kind of connection. We need people who encourage us, believe in us, support us, and remind us that we are not alone. For women, this kind of support