Sadly, discrimination is a part of the United States of America’s past.  As our nation grew, a small group of people decided that their cultural values represented what it means to be American.  Sometimes these categories have been fluid, but typically if you were not white, protestant, or of the right socio-economic class, you were pushed to the margins of society.  One of the motivating factors for my academic career has been studying how my Catholic Faith has been a part of this story.  Based on this, for the most part, things are better now, but then the current administration has criticized the Church for speaking out against policies contrary to Catholicism’s principles.  I bring this up not to compare the plights of marginalized people, or even to suggest that my fellow adherents are worthy of being counted amongst the oppressed, by and large.  One can always find examples of this happening, but there are worse examples.  Instead, I mean it as a reminder that we need movies like The Six Triple Eight (2024).  We cannot let the memory of how certain peoples have been treated in this country to fade because we could backslide to the kind of country that allows racial prejudice to be common practice.  Think about these things not only while you read this review, but as you go forward from this moment.

Before The Six Triple Eight began operations in Europe during World War II, a soldier on a battlefield in Italy in 1943 takes the letter from inside the coat of a dead P-51 Mustang pilot downed nearby.  The missive is dropped into a mailbag and forgotten.  To see why this moment is important, we go back a year and to the other side of the Atlantic.  In the Philadelphia suburbs, Abram David (Gregg Sulkin) is in love with Lena Derriecott (Ebony Obsidian).  This might not sound out of the ordinary if not for the fact that he is Jewish and she is African American.  It is she that is more concerned about the social implications, but he is persistent in his pursuit.  At his going away party, with suspicious looks from blacks and whites, he takes her outside and gives her a promise ring, saying that when he returns from being a pilot in the Army, they will marry.  I think you can guess now who the fallen airman is at the beginning.  Lena learns of this not long thereafter and is devastated.  Wanting to do something, and being inspired by an educational reel shown in her class recruiting females for the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), she announces her intention to enlist upon graduating from high school.  Because the armed forces of the United States are segregated at this time, she is put into a unit being trained by then Captain Charity Adams (Kerry Washington).  Captain Adams’ message to the women is clear.  Because they are not only of the so-called “lesser sex,” but people of color, they need to be the best.  She is hard on them, and Lena, not used to the kind of treatment new recruits receive, is singled out for a lackluster effort.  Her transition is made harder by the constant memory of Abram.  Still, it is those same recollections that get her through, imagining seeing his face and gaining encouragement from him.  As the soldiers of the eponymous unit undergo training, word gets to the White House that many troops in combat in Europe, and their families back home, are not receiving their mail.  The matter is brought to the attention of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (Susan Sarandon), and then on to her husband, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Sam Waterston).  With Eleanor and civil rights activist and presidential advisor Mary McLeod Bethune (Oprah Winfrey) present, Franklin has a conference in the Oval Office with General Halt (Dean Norris) to inquire about the mail.  General Halt gives a roundabout answer regarding the logistical impossibilities, and how white units are attempting to tackle the situation.  To the racist officer’s shock, Mary speaks up to note that there is a group that can solve the problem.  Hence, the orders now Major Adams have long awaited arrive, and the 6888^th ships out for England.  Of course, General Halt is not going to do Major Adams’ women any favors, assigning them to decrepit quarters that they must first refurbish on their own, but will remain without heating for the duration of their stay.  Once that is completed, it is time to begin sorting the millions of backlogged letters and parcels that have piled inside hangers for months.  At first, nothing is getting to where it needs to go, and thousands of pieces are returned to them.  It changes, though, when Lena notices the unit insignia being drawn on many of the envelopes as a way of surreptitiously letting loved ones know where they are fighting.  All the same, General Halt is not content to let their efforts go unobserved.  His first move is to send a chaplain. However, upon delivering a racially charged sermon that also accuses Major Adams of being evil, she summarily dismisses Chaplain Clemens (Nick Harris).  Another problem arises when two of her mail drivers accidentally drive over an unexploded bomb, which detonates before they can evacuate the truck.  These incidences prompt an inspection from General Halt.  Already inclined to dismiss the 6888^th, especially after the president’s death, he is pushed to issue this threat when he learns that the women are opening the mail of white soldiers.  Major Adams tries to explain that it is a necessary step when they cannot identify the intended recipient because of issues with the envelope, but General Halt tells her that he will be assigning caucasians to the work.  After instructing her soldiers to turn the other cheek when faced with similar treatment, she rebukes General Halt, who walks away filled with silent rage.  She is cheered by those under her command, but fully expects a court martial until it is pointed out to General Halt that the men are beginning to receive their mail.  As the film comes to a close with adulation for their efforts, we see in a postscript that the 6888^th would go on to France to repeat the same process, as well as some other historical footnotes.

I am all for the historical footnotes at the end of The Six Triple Eight, but I imagine you might be wondering about Lena.  She spends most of the movie mourning Abram until she finally receives the letter mentioned at the beginning of the movie.  On that same day, she is part of the detail that buries the two members of the 6888^th that died.  Before departing, Major Adams points Lena to Abram’s grave.  Visiting the site gives Lena the closure she needs to move on, eventually marrying Private Hugh Bell (Jay Reeves).  That is more historical footnoting.  What is of more significance for a Catholic reviewer is the mental fortitude displayed by Lena and her fellow soldiers.  When facing blatant racism, the natural reaction is to want to react.  People cannot help the color of the skin with which they are born.  Furthermore, God creates every one of us equally.  These are plain facts, as true as the light of day.  I do not know about you, but when confronted with those who would say otherwise, I want to shout those people down, or worse.  Major Adams understands that inclination, and sternly orders her women to not prove their tormentors correct by acting in the undisciplined manner they expect of African Americans.  Discipline is key.  One way of looking at Faith is as a discipline.  As such, it needs to be practiced if you are going to make any progress.  With us, it is growing in our relationship with God.  From that relationship flows blessings and graces, such as the ability to withstand persecution as Jesus did, blessing those who sought to harm Him.  We are called to follow His example, but Major Adams proves how difficult this can be.  Despite her standing orders, she speaks back to General Halt when he threatens her removal.  What should be noted, though, is that her stand is not for her own sake, but those of the people serving under her.  Her words are not to show up a superior officer, but a selfless act.  Because of this, I think even God would be understanding given the cause.

The showdown between Major Adams and General Halt in The Six Triple Eight is an uncomfortable situation.  However, the benefit of watching it and other scenes like it is that it shines a light on the terrible beliefs still held by certain members in society.  I hope that by viewing this film, you will be inspired to take a similar stand.