I recently saw the trailer for the move “42” which is the
incredible story of Jackie Robinson. Robinson is perhaps the most transcendent
border crosser of all time. He crossed into the “white mans” game as the first
African American player. As evidenced by the trailer and history he was not
welcomed and pitchers threw at him, fans jeered him and even his teammates were
unaccepting of this situation. However Robinson persevered and broke the color
barrier and became one of the greatest players in baseball history. I think the
most revealing quote of the trailer is when Robinson asks Branch Rickey, the
owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, if he wants a man who doesn’t have the guts to
fight back to which Rickey replies “I want a man who has the guts not to fight
back”. I think this is a very important quote because it shows what it takes to
cross the borders of our lives. People are going to go against your decisions
and not support the crossing into a new territory of your life. Instead of
shying away from these people you need to have the courage to look these people
in the eye and not shy away from the challenges. Robinson’s entire career
exemplifies this quote and I think it can apply to many of the characters we
have studied in class.
I definitely agree that Jackie Robinson is one of the most transcendent border crossers of all time. Not only did he cross this border between blacks and whites, but he played a huge role in the civil rights movement. By being the first African American baseball player and crossing this border, he helped start a movement of people doing new things they previously were not allowed to do.
ReplyDeleteThe quote you picked out really brings to light an idea that is sometimes over looked. "I want a man who has the guts not to fight back." It is easy to get angry and fight back, the real strength is being able to stop yourself from lashing out at the people who are baiting you. From personal experience with my older brother, I know it is a heck of a lot easier to fight back then to face confrontation head on and not engage. Many famous figures thought history had this type of strength, they faced the opposition, but instead of fighting against everyone they simply continue towards the goal they set for themselves.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very effective and important border to bring to light for the purpose of our class. We have discussed racial borders between Americans and Mexicans, but have not yet thoroughly discussed the racial borders exisiting within our country. The border of race is completely arbitrary and when looking back at the history of the U.S. I find it disheartening to see how valuable the color of one's skin was in determining a person's value. People like Martin Luther King,Jr. and Jackie Robinson had the courage to fight in order to break down this fictional border. But unlike the border crossers of the Old West who needed guns and horses, these men were able to use their words, skills, and peaceful resistence to enter a new frontier.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this post and I think it's important to address the bias and prejudice that still exists. It only takes one person to make and stand and change the world and I think Jackie Robinson is a great example and relevant example on how strength and perseverance can change the world and how people think. He put up with so much shit (excuse my language) and all he wanted to do was play baseball. He used baseball to overcome the reckless hatred people had for his skin color at the time. He is a hero to many and deserves all the recognition in history he has gotten.
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