Glory

The movie "Glory" tells the history and the story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry through their racism and prejudice struggles. Racism is the discrimination or prejudice based on race. Prejudice is the irrational suspicion or hatred of a particular group, race, or religion.

It became the first black regiment to fight for the North in the Civil War. The Regiment was made up of black soldiers - some were Northern freemen, some were escaped slaves. The men of the 54th Regiment proved themselves worthy of the freedom for which they fighting, and the respect of their fellow white soldiers despite the prejudices they experienced. "Glory" is told mainly through the eyes of Shaw, played by Matthew Broderick.

At the beginning Shaw is recruited to lead the newly formed black regiment. Although he has grown up and still retained his abolitionist opinions, he still has doubts about the capability of black troops. The 54th Infantry was comprised of a very diverse group of men. An older gentleman, John Rawlins (played by Morgan Freeman), is the fatherly-type man of the group. He watches out for the others. Another man, Trip (Denzel Washington), is an escaped slave. Trip is a very vindictive young man - he is disrespectful, even to his own comrades. Another character, Thomas, also referred to as "Snowflake", is a well-educated, free black man. At one point, Tripp calls Thomas a "nigger", a racial remark, in response to Thomas' quiet, respectful and educated demeanor.

During the civil war, white soldiers were paid wages of thirteen dollars per hour. When it came time to pay the black soldiers, they received a wage of only ten dollars. The men realize this is because of their skin color, and wonder if they should quit the regiment and return home. They want to know why they should be paid less money for the same work. After all, the blacks "march as far, bleed as much, and die as soon",

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