Glory

     The movie "Glory" was pretty realistic, but I think that some aspects of it were made more dramatic than in reality. Most movies like making things more dramatic to make the movie more interesting and entertaining and to hopefully sell the product. The facts and major events were true to history, but I think that the minor interactions and conversations were a stretch. It surprised me when none of the volunteers or officers in the Massachusetts 54th Colored Regiment chose to leave after receiving the horrible news that the Confederate Congress would punish severely any African-American soldier or white officer caught. This made me think about what I would do if I were in their shoes, if I believe that I would have the courage to risk my life for my country and freedom, and to what extent it is worth to sacrifice for freedom. Unfortunately, I think that I would have been that one soldier who chose to leave the regiment and I admire the bravery of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment. It was surprising how Shaw could demand things from his higher officers because they could have said something to the War Department. I was amazed that Shaw would volunteer his regiment to be the first to attempt to take Fort Wagner and that the men were dauntless and brave to fight without a complaint.
     I learned about the cruel experience that the African-Americans had suffered through during the Civil War. Everywhere, they were looked down upon because they had colored skin and many times were underestimated without having the opportunity to prove themselves. Even within the army, they were thought of as manual laborers and incapable of doing the actual fighting. In the beginning, the white Union soldiers did not want the help of African-American soldiers, but as time continued, I think the white soldiers began to accept them and be grateful for their help. It was definitely not fair that the African-American soldiers were paid $3 less a month. I was appalled when Colonel Montgomery made the soldiers burn a town down because it was part of the Confederacy and how he calmly shot the soldier after the soldier had hit the white woman. If the soldier had been white, Colonel Montgomery would have reacted in a different and safer way.