A visit to the Kennedy Space Center visitor center in Florida typically starts with the Heroes and Legends Exhibit. As we waited for entry during a recent visit, I looked around and saw America.
There were families, student groups, people of every color from all over the planet. But what stood out most to me was not their background but rather their enthusiasm: they were all bristling with excitement to learn about the US achievements in space exploration. Forget the Harry Potter Experience at Universal Studios or the mouse at Disney World!
As we entered the exhibit hall a large display asked the question “What makes a hero?”
Nine interactive pods tried to define the answer to what it takes. Shaped like cockpits, the pods were entitled with one key characteristic. Together they declared that to be a hero requires a combination of “Inspiration, Curiosity, Tenacity, Passion, Courage, Confidence, Selflessness, Discipline, Principles.”
Each pod highlighted an individual astronaut and their mission. And it wasn’t just an exercise in touting American superiority. The Heroes and Legends exhibit hall proudly declared that NASA has worked with scientists and astronauts from 20 countries around the world. We Americans didn’t make all the progress on our own. The knowledge, experience and enthusiasm of these collaborators added to our success, and we need to continue to celebrate their inclusion and success.
Other educational displays and videos were recorded by or about astronauts of color including some presented in the astronaut’s native language. How important is that to the many visitors with Hispanic backgrounds or who are of African descent? We should always celebrate Guion Bluford, the first African-American to go into space in 1983 and Franklin R. Chang Diaz, the first Hispanic-American in 1986.
During our six hours at the visitor center, my family and I had a palpable feeling of inclusion everywhere we went.
Unfortunately, recent reporting by Ars Technica, among others, indicate that the White House has reneged on its pledge from the first Trump administration to include a Black astronaut and a female astronaut on the first Artemis mission to the moon.
This is blatantly racist and misogynistic. Space is no place for racial or sexual animosity. We must remember that we all belong to ‘One World’, and it is not just ‘Our America’ as we explore the universe.
Remember NASA’s nine characteristics of a hero? “Inspiration, Curiosity, Tenacity, Passion, Courage, Confidence, Selflessness, Discipline, Principles”. Do these define the actions of our President and Congress? In my opinion, both are AWOL, irresponsible and ignorant of the coming consequences of their actions and inactions.
The NASA Kennedy Space Center has a long history of showing the world that space exploration succeeds best as a group effort representing the entire human race. Diversity, equity, and inclusion has long been a success with NASA, and they are proud enough to include these core principles at their premier visitor center. If that is considered ‘woke’, then I believe that we need more of it.
John D. Crosby is a retired Meteorologist who writes about weather and climate issues as they affect our daily lives. He worked as a NASA contractor in the 1980’s and developed a strong interest in space exploration.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Opinion: Diversity, equity and inclusion has always worked for NASA
Reporting by John Crosby / Florida Today
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