Miracle at St. Anna Analytical Essay

In Spike Lee’s war film, Miracle at St. Anna, Lee uses a flashback to expose the audience to the raw, uncensored racism endured by the 92^nd Infantry Division during World War II. The 92^nd Infantry Division, an all Black combat unit, was led by White officers but segregated from White soldiers and in many cases received worse treatment than captured enemy prisoners of war. The treatment of these Black soldiers speaks volumes about an American social issue that goes beyond the boundaries of the battlefield: White America’s degrading perception of Black America. Although the racism seems unconquerable, Lee offers a controversial solution that is arguably effective. Spike Lee, using the scene at the Herb’s Café, provokes the audience to believe that sometimes the only successful way to combat racism is retaliation.

At the 77.40-minute marker, a flashback opens at Camp Claiborne Merryville, Louisiana in 1943 at Herb’s Cafe. The members of the 92^nd Infantry Division enter the shop and are denied the privilege of ordering inside. Yet, there are German prisoners that are comfortably seated in a booth eating ice cream. The Blacks soldiers enter the shop civil and demonstrating no intention to provoke any disturbance. With cordial smiles on their faces, they declared they wanted “no trouble” and just wanted service (1:17). The Black soldier named Stamps politely asks to be served but after being informed by the owner that they will only be served around back, Stamps argues that the owner is “feeding Hitler’s goose-steppers” in reference to the Nazi’s comfortably seated in a nearby booth (1:18). The owner Herb responds, “Nigger, who I serve is my own damn business” and pulls out a gun on the troop of Black American soldiers. Audience members are exposed to the repulsive treatment of these soldiers. These men are fighting for the same cause as the White soldiers and essentially Herb’s freedom and safety. Even more sickening is Herb’s preference of Nazi prisoners over the Black Americans. This powerful implication reveals the disgusting, realistic treatment of these Black soldiers at this time. Spike Lee reveals the disturbing truth that many racist Americans regard Blacks lower than their anti-Semitic war enemies.

Even after superior White American officers try to coerce the shop owner and try to pay for their order, the owner is still insistent that Blacks are not allowed. “We are all Americans,” one of the White officers shouts (1:19). Spike, through the White officer, projects a blatant reminder in the scene that the 92^nd infantry citizens are no different than the shop owner and all the others dining in the café. The color of their skin is the only variable that is preventing equal treatment. The occurrence becomes an abomination and embarrassing representation of the American nation as the Nazi prisoners of war observe in awe the disrespect between fellow Americans. After the white officers attempt to quell the situation to no avail, a sense of hopelessness and pity is aroused. The Black soldiers reluctantly file out of the shop with heavy looks of frustration and anger. Lee has the audience relive a dark incident that reoccurred in American history all throughout the 1940s. The treatment depicted is not fictional. On the property of an army depot in El Paso, Texas, Harvey House restaurant barred Black troops from entering the establishment. Instead, they were given “cold handouts” and stood outside watching White soldiers and even German prisoners eating hot food in the restaurant (Army & Navy - MORALE: Unhappy Soldier).

The audience becomes witness to the dehumanization of the Black soldiers through harsh racism and verbal bigotry. Herb, the café owner, asserts his dominance and superiority over Stamps and his crew. The men are belittled and forcefully made to accept an inferior position in society. Lee makes several references to the Herb’s animalistic treatment to African Americans through the dialogue in the scene. Sergeant Stamps, after being told to go around back for service, asks the storeowner, “You want me to eat out of some damn trough like I am some damn pig?” (1:17). Herb screams, “Get out of here you big baboon!” Finally, after the infantry leave the café, Herb explains to his son, “that’s a lesson for you son, that’s how you treat them animals” (1:18). Through this segregation and racial bigotry, these Black men are stripped of their dignity, their masculinity, and their importance in society. The treatment of the Black infantry unit is unjustifiable. They cannot dine in the same vicinity as their fellow White troops although they are fighting for the same cause. Taking into account they are putting their lives on the line for their country, these men are rightly entitled to the same treatment as their fellow white soldiers. The real animals are the members of the Nazi regime sitting in one of the booths at Herbs Café. The Nazis are responsible for the death of over 6 million Jews throughout the duration of World War II (Bular). We become exposed to the notion of the extremely degrading position of African Americans society. The nation’s resentful view of Nazis apparently does not equal the resent towards African Americans.

The scene transitions to the degraded soldiers driving down a dusty path symbolizing their surrender, defeat, and possible acceptance. A great sense of sympathy and sorrow is aroused for the men who drive silently, still wearing looks of disdain. Just as they are about to the cross train tracks back to their base, Stamps reverses the vehicle and heads immediately back to Herb’s Café. In kinesthetic response to Stamp’s decision, his company begins to cock and load their guns. The scene reopens at Herb’s Café as Herb is working at the cash register serving two men. Stamps and his men forcefully reenter the shop with weapons drawn. This time, Stamps is not as polite addressing the storeowner as “a cockle-doodle-doo bum fuck Louisiana mother fucker” (1:21). He demands service for himself and all his company members. The audience is invited to indulge in the previously antagonistic owner’s trepidation. He races around frantically preparing their food orders as his wife and son cowers in fear. Lee makes sure to capture the discomfort and fear of the child. The child is symbolic of the nation’s future generations and it is obvious that the child has developed an erroneous conscious through Herb’s influence. So, the retaliation sends a strong, discouraging message to Herb and his son regarding future acts of racism. Although the act is not necessary honorable, one cannot help but feel a sense of triumph and justice watching the storeowner quiver in fear and cater to the Black soldiers. Through Stamps and his crew, Lee contends that victims of racism will not tolerate mistreatment any longer.

Although Spike Lee does not present a socially commendable solution to racism, Lee guilts the audience by not only letting them indulge in the violent retribution but by directing blame at the American people. The embarrassing historical treatment of Blacks soldiers during World War II is a reflection of society today. There is still racial segregation today in employment, medical care, housing, education and many other aspects. The issue of racism is still prevalent and constantly harassed victims of racism are not expected to continue to “turn the other cheek”. Lee hopes to provoke an overwhelming sense of pity and disgust concerning the incident at Herb’s Café in hopes to gain acceptance of his controversial solution. The harsh racial slurs, denial of equal opportunity, and degrading presence of Nazi fosters the guilt that our country should dwell in because it is undeniable that society still commits these injustices against African Americans today. When Stamps and his men return to seek retribution, the audience cannot help but root for the “good guys”. The “good guys” referring to the Black soldiers fighting in a country with racists like Herb who unjustifiably degrades them and refuses to treat them as respectable citizens. Lee lets the audience revel in the delightful reversal of roles in which the Black soldiers begin giving the orders and shout expletives at Herb. Herb has no choice but to comply with the demands of the men as he hastily prepares the orders at gunpoint for all the men. The scene’s audio dialogue in the Café slowly fades and it can be easily inferred that the 92^nd infantry emerged from the café victorious with their food orders in hand. The screenshot transitions to an intimate close up of the 92^nd infantry unit staring directly into the camera and audience. Eventually, it is revealed that they are actually looking at Nazi propaganda posters but Lee conveys a message through the convicting stares of the troop into the audience that the American people are to mostly to blame for the violent acts of vengeance. Following the scene in which the member of 92^nd Infantry Division holds the café owner at gunpoint, the stern stares communicate an attitude to the American audience that says, “we had no choice, you made us do this.” It is expected that a group that was antagonized so harshly would resort to an act of retaliation. Lee provokes the audience to reflect on our nation’s dark past and hopefully, the scene serves as a stark reminder to make efforts to not let history repeat itself.

Through the scene’s depiction of racism, it is made clear that racism is a societal evil that needs to be removed from the fabric of our society. Racism is damaging and a detriment to society. The maliciousness of racist individuals is exposed as Herb threatens Stamps life with his gun and refuses to serve the Black troops. Herb’s only rationale for his refusal to serve the troop is grounded only on the fact that the 92^nd infantry unit is Black. He did not take into account their initial complaisance or respect for his establishment. Lee makes clear that Herb’s reaction to the presence of Blacks is unforgivable. People’s innate attributes like the color of skin do not dictate the superiority of one race over another. At the 78.20-minute marker, Herb’s initial offer of service out back is obediently accepted by one of soldiers named Train who slaps on his helmet and begins walking out the door thinking his company will follow him. Train’s acceptance is humorous as his fellow soldier look at him in dismay and angrily calls him to return. The scene communicates that at although there was a time where this kind of treatment was overlooked by Whites and accepted by Blacks, there is no longer any tolerance for this kind of overt behavior.

Lee’s solution to racism mirrors the ideology of Malcolm X. Malcolm X imposes the mentality of “freedom by any means necessary". He intends to advocate that Black people should resort to using any tactics which will produce a rational and positive result whether it be the “ballet or the bullet, non-violent peaceful protest or armed resistance” (Khan). Malcolm X adheres to the vulnerability and victimization of the African American race. Through the retaliatory actions of the 92^nd Infantry Division, Lee projects his approval of Malcolm X’s strong mentality that refuses to accept anything less than absolute equality. The uncompromising attitude resonates in Stamp’s infuriated tone as he returns to the Café with his gun drawn. Receiving service by any means possible mirrored Malcolm X’s ideology. Having Herb serve them goes beyond just the filling of the soldiers’ stomachs. Herb’s acquiescence symbolizes the Black soldiers’ reinstated status: equal to all the other White men dining in the café and even Nazis who were previously served there. Justice is served.

Ultimately, the flashback scene exposes the audience to the harsh reality of racism against Blacks and the chilling possibility of vindication. Lee conveys a powerful message that racism will not be tolerated and freedom will be pursued by any means necessary. If nonviolent protest cannot render any positive results, serious action will take place. Just as the Herb, his wife and young son are terrified by the whole incidence, society needs to fear the uprising of any race subject to dehumanization and degradation. Overall, America must recognize African Americans as equal first class citizens. In regards to past overt racism, America must not let history repeat itself because Lee warns that retaliation will likely ensue.

Works Cited

Bülow, Louis. "The Schindler Story". palomar. 5/30/2010 <http://www.deathcamps.info/Leyson/contact.htm>.

Daniels, Ron. "Beyond Fad and Fashion Understanding The Essence of Malcolm X ". The Black Collegian. 5/30/2010 <http://www.black collegian.com/african/beyond.shtml>.

Khan, Ali. "Lessons from Malcolm X: Freedom by Any Means Necessary ". Social Science Research Network . 5/30/2010 <http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=938821>.

Krause, Lisa. "Black Soldiers in WW II: Fighting Enemies at Home and Abroad". National Geographic. 5/30/2010 <http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/02/0215_tuskegee.html>.

"Army & Navy - MORALE: Unhappy Soldier". TIME. 5/30/2010 <http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,791503-4,00.html>.