The Unseen Glory

Student: Alvan Jiing
Cine 373.01: Film and Society, Fall 2007
Due: 11/5/07
Instructor: Dr. Joseph McBride
The Unseen Glory
There is no greater glory than a man who lays down his life to ensure the freedom of others. Today, one seldom sees the praise of the nation towards the sacrificing soldiers, who bravely fought the war for the sake the safety of the country. Although the purpose of the war may not seem to be as definite as Civil War, but it ought to bring awareness to people that someone is willing to give his or her life to ensure the safety of others. The three Academy Awards winning film, Glory (1989), brings the awareness of the little-known fact of thousands of free black men bravely fight during the Civil War and eventually give their very lives to the country. Regardless of all the discrimination and the difficulties they faced, these men have gradually changed the course of the history through their sacrificing efforts. The film also depicts the complex relationship of the white commanding officer with his fellow men and their efforts in making a difference under the white power system.
Although the film is inspiring and unique, the story is still told from the white man’s point of view. In the review of Glory in the Chicago Sun-Times, Robert Ebert expressed this reservation: “I didn’t understand why it had to be told so often from the point of view of the 54th’s white commanding officer. Why did we see the black troops through his eyes—instead of seeing him through theirs?” Kevin Jarre the writer of the film based the screenplay off of Colonel Gould Shaw’s letters and diaries. However, there are also many letters and diaries written by black soldiers from the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts. For example, “On The Altar Of Freedom,” Corporal James Henry Gooding, journalist of Mercury News, has given many written documents of the black soldiers who bravely fight in the Civil war. Kevin Jarre could have written a whole other story focusing on the African American point of view of the Civil War. Sadly to say, white people always have more power and privilege over black people, and thus, white people will always be remembered as the historical figure.
Even so, Kevin Jarre is not being unfair, because the film does depict some moments of the African American experiences. For instance, the night before the assault of Fort Wagner at Charleston, South Carolina, the black soldiers are gathered for a worship service: bonding with each other spiritually through singing hymns and saying prayers. In addition, one must also realize that it’s a difficult task to tell the story of Civil War in the most accurate way possible, while also keeping it acceptable and inoffensive to the public. If one tells the story completely from a black person’s point of view, most people may not have accepted or understood it, because most people were taught that only white Americans fought in the Civil War. So by using a white commander to tell an African American’s experience, Jarre satisfies both requirements: reaching a wider range of audience without offending others while bringing to the public an awareness of the black soldiers who fought bravely during the Civil War. Jarre gets the job done perfectly.
Besides choosing the point of view of the narrator, the more important issue is the relationship between the white commanding officer and his fellow black men. In the movie, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw is portrayed as a very strict man who disciplines his troops very harshly. Yet at the same time, he is willing to go into depths for his men. For instance, one time Colonel Shaw storms a provision office to demand for six hundred pairs of shoes and twelve thousand pairs of socks for his men. And another time he gives his very life to inspire his men to move forward to capture the ramparts at the battlefield of Fort Wagner. Colonel Shaw is very determined to believe the best of his men. However, in reality, Colonel Shaw does not believe in black people as the film puts it in his early life. He only rejects the offer once and accepts it after many days. Even when he takes on the offer, he still does not believe in them. The black troops somehow manage to change Colonel Gould Shaw’s mind by their extraordinary performances. Colonel Shaw then is altered after seeing his men’s feats and begins to value them as humans.
Although Colonel Shaw is a son of the abolitionists, he is not used to be among men of other social classes with whom he needs to depend on for survival. In the film, he feels lonely to be among his men. He does not know how to connect with his men while standing in a status so high. The scene of Christmas tells it well: he walks around in the cold air observing his men dancing and playing in the snow, having a good time. He only observes with his eyes from a distance. Unexpectedly, Thomas comes along and says to him, “Merry Christmas!” Thomas, as a black soldier isn’t allowed to speak to a white commanding officer. Yet Colonel Shaw regardless of his status replies back, “Merry Christmas, Thomas!” And gradually Colonel Shaw throws away his perception of social classes and begins to view his men as his family members. Just as Private Trip puts it, “Yours the only family I’ve got!” Colonel Shaw’s mind undergoes a transformation, and comes up with a purpose of his life, igniting passion within him to prove to the world that black people are no less than white.
The 54th Regiment of Massachusetts is driven to fight for equality for black soldier—against the white power structure in the military. They face much racial discrimination including getting less pay, lack of proper uniforms, and insults from white troops. In the movie, there’s a scene where Shaw is surprised to see that his men refuse the payment that is reduced because they are a “colored” regiment. However, in reality, Shaw is the one who gives the idea of boycotting the payment and encourages all his men to do so. The fact that these men refuse to take the payment is incredible because most of them come from the bottom of the economic ladder. They voluntarily choose to sacrifice the pay because the issue is more than just money; it’s an insult that dehumanizes black people by saying their lives only worth half of the white’s.
Private Edward D. Washington addresses the issue to the editor of the Christian Recorder, “Now it seems strange to me that we do not receive the same pay and rations as the white soldiers. Do we not fill the same ranks? Do we not cover the same space of ground? Do we not take up the same length of ground and of graveyard as others do? The ball does not miss the black man and strikes the white, nor the white and strikes the black.” Enduring and waiting patiently, Fifty-Four’s call for justice is finally answered in Washington DC. In June 1864, Congress has passed the bill—equalizing the pay of the United States’ troops. Colonel Shaw along with his black soldiers gains a little respect and honor from his country after many battles and sacrifices. They have changed the course of history.
The 54th Regiment has earned much respect and honor for black people. The film captures that moment very well by showing the white soldiers cheer and respect for them. As Colonel Shaw leads his men marching towards the ocean, which suggests that they are marching towards their destiny—freedom or death, the white soldiers are gathered on both sides forming parellel lines to see Fifty-Four off. Suddenly, one of the white soldiers cry aloud, “Give them hell, Fifty-Four!” And all of a sudden, the whole place break out in loud voices, all crying out, “Give them hell, Fifty-four!” Seeing their bravery and integrity, white soldiers honor the black soldiers by giving them respect and cheering for them.
Although the Fifty-Fourth Regiment of Massachusetts has earned some rights for black people, black and white are still segregated in the army. It’s not until the Korean War that Congress passes the law to desegregate soldiers in the army. The Jim Crow era comes right after the Civil war, which brings about the worst oppression towards black people in the history of the United States. Black codes and many other laws are formed to oppress, segregate, and dehumanize black people in the years to come. Even today, many schools still do not teach the fact that black soldiers have bravely fought the Civil War. People are unaware that black people have contributes much to the formation of this nation. Even so, the blood that these black soldiers have shed is not in vain. The blood cries aloud for liberty and justice from the land. They cry for their children, for the Indians and for the minority groups. These men have lived humble lives on earth. Every war they fight, they give the glory to God, unlike many white people, who take on the glory for themselves. Although these black men have not been recognized and honored by men, they are honored and glorified by God. They are unknown to the world, yet brightly shines in the heaven above like the stars emanating beautiful flashes of light with bring colors in billions and billions of years. They have received the unseen glory from above