Netflix's latest production, "The Six Triple Eight," directed by Tyler Perry, shines a long-overdue spotlight on the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female unit to serve overseas during World War II. The film captures the essence of these remarkable women who were tasked with sorting over 65,000 pieces of backlogged mail daily, ensuring U.S. soldiers received morale-boosting letters from home. Their sacrifices and contributions went largely unrecognized until recently, making this film not just timely but important.
The 6888th Battalion was formed in December 1944 and was composed primarily of African American women, aged 17 to 52, with some members from Hispanic and Caribbean descent. Under the command of Major Charity Adams, who became the first Black female officer of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), these women broke barriers within the male-dominated military. "First we had to fight segregation, second was the war, and third were the men," recalled veteran Anna Tarryk, highlighting the triple burden they bore.
Although the film's production showcases the challenges faced by the women, it fails to fully depict Major Adams's ascension to leadership and the depth of her character. Audiences see her as a determined officer, but the film misses the opportunity to shed light on her background or how she inspired her troops. A powerful scene captures Adams’s defiance against racial discrimination when she boldly states, "Over my dead body, sir," to a white general attempting to inspect their quarters.
The working conditions were brutal. The battalion faced freezing warehouses, the menace of German bombings, and personal struggles as they worked under poor lighting with rats scurrying across stacks of undelivered mail. Yet, they thrived under these pressures, accomplishing their mission of clearing the backlog of mail from three years to just five months. Their efficiency proved invaluable to soldiers eager for news from home.
Despite their remarkable achievements, the battalion's service would take over 70 years to receive proper acknowledgment. The women who maintained the connection between soldiers and their families were only awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their efforts back in 2022. Damani Davis, an archivist, remarked on the broader public's indifference toward Black veterans post-war, reflecting how systemic racism left this battalion largely unrecognized for decades.
After the war, Major Charity Adams continued to influence her community by pursuing higher education and founding the Black Leadership Development Program. She passed away at the age of 83, leaving behind the legacy of courage and resilience.
Today, only two veterans from the 6888th Battalion remain, Fannie McClendon and Anna Mae Robertson, serving as reminders of the sacrifices made and the history too long overlooked. Though Tyler Perry's film endeavors to honor these women, some critics feel it falls short of giving full credit to their story. The film, albeit engaging, skips between events without providing the depth of perseverance the unit embodied. Nonetheless, its impact lies in bringing this untold story to the forefront of public consciousness.
"The Six Triple Eight" serves as both homage and reminder of the unyielding spirit of the women who played pivotal roles against not only the adversarial conditions of war but also the prevailing injustice they faced at home. The time to recognize them is now, and their legacy continues to inspire generations to come.
