Final answer:
The 54th Massachusetts Infantry protested against unequal pay and discrimination by refusing their paychecks and highlighting the issue through chants during battles, letters to officials, and support from advocacy in black-run newspapers. Their actions, along with Congressional action, eventually led to them receiving equal pay in 1864.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 54th Massachusetts Infantry protested the discrimination and unequal pay in the army by refusing their paychecks while continuing to fight courageously on the battlefield. Despite confronting stark discrimination, receiving only half the pay of white soldiers, they made their stand against this inequity clear.
They notably chanted "Massachusetts and Seven Dollars a Month!" during the Battle of Olustee to highlight their plight. Their persistent protest, along with support from black-run newspapers and Congressional action, eventually led to them securing equal pay in September 1864, a full year after their enlistment.
The heroism and sacrifices of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry soldiers, many of whom were formerly enslaved, were evident in their distinguished service, most famously at Fort Wagner. The legacy of their bravery and struggle against racial injustice continues to be a source of pride and has been commemorated in various forms, including the film 'Glory' and a monument on the Boston Commons.