Editorial for Summerville News

By most accounts "Red Tails" is a very flawed film. However, the World War II action movie produced by George (Star Wars) Lucas deserves high marks for showing black Americans making an important contribution to the nation's military.
With a handful of exceptions, blacks have seldom received the attention of Hollywood filmmakers working on historical features.
That's unfortunate.
Black Americans have played a key role in our country's history, going back as far as the Revolutionary War.
It is estimated that more than 5,000 blacks fought for the Continental Army, despite the existence of slavery throughout the fledgling nation. (Thousands also fought for the British who promised them their freedom.)
Blacks continued to serve in the military in various roles. Often they were used as labor forces, freeing up more whites to serve in combat roles. However many blacks also "saw the elephant," the old phrase for participating in actual combat.
Some black military contributions have become well known. The fine film "Glory" celebrated the accomplishments of the 54th Massachusetts, a minority Union command which participated in several key battles in the Civil War. There are lesser known examples, too. Black soldiers played an important role in Alexander Doniphan's amazing "Chihuahua campaign," which saw a heavily outnumbered and outgunned American force decimate its adversaries and essentially conquer the vast Mexican state.
"Red Tails" is the story of the Tuskegee airmen, the first black aviators in the U.S. military. The Tuskegee men served with distinction, building a sterling reputation for skill and tenacity in their trademark P-51 Mustang fighters with painted red tails.
The movie has plenty of flaws but its very existence goes some ways in addressing an even greater flaw, the lack of recognition for thousands of brave men so long overlooked by our popular culture.