The show's politics make no sense
The show consistently shows a more diverse and tolerant society than our own (which is great), but doesn't bother to depict the struggle and resistance that would allow such a society to form. It seems like there's no sexual harassment, no discrimination, no bigotry (except against gay people) at nasa in the 80s, why, because a black woman was on the moon? Those things still overwhelmingly exist in the STEM fields even today.
People in power do not give up that power simply because they are inspired to do better, but because they are worried that they might lose that power if concessions are not given. White men in the beginning show directly benefit from sexist and racist hiring practices, astronaut jobs are highly coveted and even the best of the best don’t get the job because there are so few slots. This is the hierarchy that sexism and racism in NASA and other institutions preserves and justifies, and anyone who threatens that hierarchy, and fights against that sexism or racism, will be seen as a threat to white men who want those covetous jobs. The fact that the show doesn’t show the conflict necessarily to change this is strange. And don't tell me it would ruin the tone of the show to depict these things, because Star City is able to depict police brutality, misogyny, surveillance states, etc. without throwing any punches. The only reason the show doesn't depict these things on the American side (and the type of shit that it would take to overcome them) is because of jingoism and American exceptionalism, pure and simple. The writers want to depict a better america without depicting the conflict and activism and resistance to pushback that would make that america better
Also, early in the series, when sexism racism etc. are still a thing, before they are magically wished away by the writers, it seems to only exist in the context of like, oppressed people oppressing themselves or people of their own oppressed group. Danielle Poole breaks her own arm in order to help Gordo, I think it was Molly who says the only explicitly sexist thing in the show, and there are probably more instances I'm forgetting. They even have Lee Atwater on the show and he just seems like, a somewhat weasily politician rather than a massive racist, which is deeply offensive, also none of the many gay people in the show comment on the fact that the guy who is helping one of them run for congress for his party helped perpetuate the aids crisis, because Reagan is idolized by this show, and they can't depict him as the genocidal monster he was because this pushes against the disgusting american exceptionalist mythology that it is trying to reinforceAlso, early in the series, when sexism racism etc. are still a thing, before they are magically wished away by the writers, it seems to only exist in the context of like, oppressed people oppressing themselves or people of their own oppressed group. Danielle Poole breaks her own arm in order to help Gordo, I think it was Molly who says the only explicitly sexist thing in the show, and there are probably more instances I'm forgetting. They even have Lee Atwater on the show and he just seems like, a somewhat weasily politician rather than a massive racist, which is deeply offensive, also none of the many gay people in the show comment on the fact that the guy who is helping one of them run for congress for his party helped perpetuate the aids crisis, because Reagan is idolized by this show, and they can't depict him as the genocidal monster he was because this pushes against the disgusting american exceptionalist mythology that it is trying to reinforce