Glory

I really enjoyed the movie "Glory", and thought it had a lot of value about the 54th regiment.  I felt the movie did a great job of portraying the fact that blacks were unequal during this time period, and that even during times of war there was still racism present.  I think the movie did a wonderful job showing how even though blacks were still thought of as unequals that they were able to participate in combat led by Matthew Broderick.  I think the way the movie was casted was perfect to who the characters were in the movie.  I really enjoyed watching Morgan Freeman in the movie as a black Sgt. because that isn't the usual role he plays in movies.   However, at first I had mixed feelings about Col. Robert Gould Shaw, because he was treating the black soldiers poorly and with little respect. As the movie progressed I realized that this man was a hero and did amazing things mentally and physically for these black soldiers who were fighting in war.  I realized that he truly gave these guys a chance to be the soldiers he knew they could be and for them to be successful in combat.  The movie made me feel like I was taken back into that time period when prejudice was an issue and made me realize that how big of a deal the 54th regiment really was. I thought the movie was really interesting and gave me a lot of information I had no idea about regarding the 54th regiment.  


All throughout history you hear about men and women who served their country at great risk to their own lives and who died as a result.  I think people are willing to die for their country because many Americans have a sense of patriotism and feel so deeply connected to America that they are willing to do anything, even die, to preserve our country.  I think the people of our army are all heroes because every day they put their life on the line for millions of Americans in order to protect the people and our nation as a whole.  In "Glory" I feel that Shaw is definitely a hero.  Although, he was skeptical at first of blacks fighting and partaking in military forces, but realized he could really do something for these people to give them the chance to die for their country.  Shaw armed these men and gave them the knowledge the black soldiers needed to fight for their country.  I also think the men of the 54th Mass. regiment are all heroes.  During this time period when there is severe racism and prejudice surrounding the world and these men are still willing to fight for the white men who don't ever want to give them a chance.  These members of the 54th want to give up their lives and fight for their freedom so how could they not be considered heroes.  They were ready with high hopes of winning battles and ready to fall for their country at any given moment.  I think the people who are willing to give up a part of them for their country should be considered heroes due to the fact they're so loyal to their country and to its citizens.  

This movie had a lot of significance because of the valuable events that took place throughout the story.  Just alone the 54th regiment had several significance in history. The first black army itself has a lot of importance as well.  The most significant part of the movie had nothing to do with the attack of Fort Wagner although they lost the lost Shaw, their leader.   Losing that battle was not the most important part of the story. The most valuable part was that these black soldiers were finally able to fight for their country and participate in combat.  Yes this battle was an important one but the people fighting in it were far more important than the actual battle itself.  I think the 54th regiment will always go down in history as one of the most remarkable things to happen in history.