Glory film directed by Edward Zwick (Essay Sample)

Glory
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Glory
In the film Glory directed by Edward Zwick, racism was to a large extent a unifying factor in the 54th Massachusetts infantry. The 54th Massachusetts infantry comprised entirely African American soldiers with a white commanding officer Robert Shaw. All of the African American men had volunteered to join this infantry that is famously remembered for its heroic charge in an attempt to conquer Fort Wagner.
It is the reactions of the commanding officer Colonel Robert Shaw towards the racist treatment of the 54th Infantry that strengthens the unity of the infantry. Through letters to his family Shaw expresses appreciation to the African American men. He believes that if these men are given proper training and motivation, they could fight as good as the white soldiers in the Union.
As seen in various scenes in the movie, Shaw continuously respects and supports his soldiers in every situation they are discriminated against. For instance whenl Trip, one of the African American soldier is flogged in public after he leaves the camp without permission, Shaw learns that Trip had gone to look for a pair of shoes to replace his worn out pair. because the Union Army was denying his men their regular supply of shoes. He boldly intervenes on their behalf and manages to get them new shoes. In another scene, the Union Army decides to pay the African American soldiers ten dollars, three less than their white counterparts. Trip...