Happy Thursday, mi gente.
The weekend is almost here, the sun is peeking through, and it finally feels like spring has sprung.
But while some of us were soaking up the season… a few lucky passengers were soaking up outer space.
Blue Origin launched another one of its space tourism flights.
Among the passengers? Gayle King, legendary CBS journalist, and Katy Perry, pop icon and California girl turned space traveler.
The mission lasted about 10 minutes — up, down, and back to Earth. But the reactions? They’ve lasted a lot longer.
The internet lit up. Some praised it as a milestone for representation — a Black woman journalist in space. Others were… less impressed.
“Is this a rocket or a PR stunt?” one post asked.
Another said: “Real astronauts train for years. These folks trained for a few hours and got a highlight reel.”
And honestly, those reactions are valid.
Because this wasn’t NASA. This wasn’t about research or exploration.
This was space tourism, courtesy of Jeff Bezos — a company-sponsored suborbital trip designed more for headlines than history.
Let me be clear: I love Gayle King. I respect her work, her integrity, her voice.
And yes, it’s powerful to see a Black woman floating in zero gravity. That image matters.
But I also believe in asking deeper questions — like who gets to be visible, who gets the resources, and who deserves that kind of platform but will never be invited.
Because while the headlines were covering celebrity space selfies, the names of real trailblazers were missing.
Where were the features on Dr. Sian Proctor, the first Black woman to pilot a spacecraft?
Or Joan Higginbotham, who flew on the Space Shuttle Discovery and still advocates for girls in STEM?
What about Yajaira Sierra-Sastre, the Puerto Rican scientist who trained with NASA and inspired students across Latin America?
Those women didn’t just float for a few minutes.
They’ve carried this work for decades.
So sure — this launch was flashy, fun, and made headlines.
But when it comes to progress, representation isn’t just about who’s in the photo.
It’s about who gets remembered, who gets invested in, and who’s still being left behind.
We don’t need more rockets.
We need more access. More education.
More belief that kids from communities like ours can build the future — not just watch it fly by.
Let’s talk more soon,
José
José Martínez 