Why was it so important that man walk on the moon? I write this as someone who wasn’t alive in 1969 and did not experience the thrilling and otherworldly experience for the millions who watched it on television.
My understanding is that the moon landing was the culmination of a chapter of the Cold War, which played out far beyond the boundaries of the Soviet Union and US, reaching the “final frontier” itself. (Incidentally, 2021 marks the 60th anniversary of the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin, an achievement by the USSR that ratcheted up the space race.) Seeing the moon landing from this geopolitical perspective, it’s hard to grasp the magic. In fact, it can seem like a huge waste of money.
I understand that space exploration has led to a plethora of knowledge and technological advance- ments, not least efficient computers and the satellites that have revolutionized how we communicate. What I’m talking about is landing and walking on the moon.
I was asking myself this question as I watched the documentary “Summer of Soul,” about a little-known but widely attended Harlem music festival that took place at the same time. After a montage of (mostly white) people sharing the magic of the moon landing, concert goers were asked for their reflections. Many echoed my thoughts, namely, could the money have gone to better use, such as fighting poverty and creating opportunity in deprived communities?
The news that Richard Branson became the first civilian to travel to space and that Jeff Bezos isn’t too far behind has me asking the same question. What it cost Branson, Idon’t know, but he’s estimating future trips at $250,000 a pop.
Of course, it’s different, since it’s private not public funds. But to me it just seems gimmicky, and considering the many humanitarian crises facing the world, not least famine and increasing child mortality rates, spending those kinds of sums on flights of fancy hits the wrong note for me.
Was the moon landing a “you had to be there” event? Or am I missing a sense of adventure?
Shana Goldberg may be reached at [email protected]
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