From Screen to Square Film Screening: Red Tails The upcoming screening is the third installment in the DeLaney Center’s ongoing film series and will be shown at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2 in Stackhouse Theater.

By Brian Laubscher
March 25, 2024

The DeLaney Center at Washington and Lee University will host another installment of its From Screen to Square Film Series, featuring the movie “Red Tails,” at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, in Stackhouse Theater inside the Elrod Commons.

The 2023-24 Screen to Square series focuses on the “Turning Points in the Civil Rights Movement,” and each screening is followed by an interactive discussion relative to each film’s subject matter between select panelists and the audience. All screenings are free and open to the public and include refreshments.

“Red Tails,” starring Terrence Howard and Cuba Gooding, Jr., tells the story of the Army Air Forces’ (AAF) 332nd Fighter Group known as the Tuskegee Airmen. The all-Black World War II unit earned the moniker after training at the Tuskegee Air Field in Tuskegee, Alabama. Their primary function during the war was to serve as escorts for the 15th U.S. Air Force bombers, earning praise for their excellent combat record despite facing discrimination throughout their service. The unit received numerous military citations for its service, including the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals, institutions and groups.

Following the movie screening, a distinguished panel led by DeLaney Center Director Michael Hill will discuss the film and the Tuskegee Airmen’s impact on the eventual integration of the U.S. armed services. Headlining the panelists will be retired Brig. Gen. Enoch “Woody” Woodhouse, one of the few living Tuskegee Airmen. Col. M. Houston Johnson V, head of the History Department at Virginia Military Institute, will join him.

This year’s Screen to Square series is made possible by a $9,500 grant from Virginia Humanities.

The DeLaney Center is an interdisciplinary academic forum that promotes teaching and research on race and Southern identity. Visit the DeLaney Center website at https://my.wlu.edu/delaney-center for updates on further DeLaney Dialogues, film screenings and other programming.