Tyler Perry has addressed the question of whether the salute shown at the end of his movie “The Six Triple Eight” actually took place in history. The film, directed by Perry, tells the remarkable story of the 6888th battalion, the sole all-Black and all-female unit that served overseas during World War II. This unit managed to sort through millions of pieces of backlogged mail in under 90 days, ensuring it reached its intended recipients. In the movie’s ending, as the battalion’s members return from the war, they receive a salute and cheers from white male soldiers, in recognition of their invaluable contributions.
During an interview, Perry disclosed that, in reality, the women of the 6888th battalion were not saluted upon their return. He explained that this recognition didn’t come until many years later. The salute at the end of the movie was a creative liberty he took to signify that all 855 of these women deserved to be acknowledged and celebrated. Here’s what Perry said:
“That salute didn’t happen. It didn’t happen until many, many, many years later. So the liberty that I took at the end was having every one of them be saluted. They all are saluted as they walk in because they represent all 855 to me. And you see them walking through this door into a new life, into a new future.”
In a separate conversation, Perry also discussed how, aside from not receiving recognition, the members of the 6888th battalion didn’t talk about their heroism due to rumors that had been spread about them.
“That didn’t happen. They weren’t celebrated. Most of them were ashamed that they had been in the military; not because of what they had done, but because of the rumors that were spread about them — that the only reason they were sent to Europe was to be concubines for the Black soldiers. There was shame. A lot of their own children didn’t even know they served. They never even talked about it.”
What this means for “The Six Triple Eight” is that the added salute enhances the movie’s ending. There’s footage of the real Lena Derriecott King at the end of the film, explaining that the battalion’s hard work went unrecognized and that they were treated better in Europe than upon their return to the United States. Her remarks carry even more weight considering Perry’s explanation of the circumstances, highlighting the deep-seated racism and misogyny that contributed to their mistreatment in the post-war years.
The true story of the 6888th battalion is a testament to Lena and all the unsung heroes who went unacknowledged for far too long. While historical accuracy is important, in this case, the symbolism of seeing the movie’s Lena (Ebony Obsidian), Major Charity Adams (Kerry Washington), and other members being saluted and cheered by soldiers outside their ranks holds greater significance.
Tyler Perry’s comments remind us of the movie’s larger importance. Despite the mixed reviews “The Six Triple Eight” has received, Perry’s remarks emphasize that the most crucial aspect of the film is giving recognition to the women of the 6888th battalion. They played a vital role in reopening communication lines and boosting morale in the final year of the war, enabling soldiers and their loved ones to reconnect after a long period of uncertainty and silence. Perry’s decision to include the salute, even though it didn’t occur historically, was the right choice to bring closure to the story told in “The Six Triple Eight”.
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