“Maybe someday we’ll all wear forty two so no one could tell us apart.”
~ Pee Wee Reese to Jackie Robinson
Being a fan of both history and sports, it was a no brainer to go and see the film 42 based on the life of Brooklyn Dodger great Jackie Robinson (played with great conviction by Chadwick Boseman). For those of us who may not know or realize, Jackie broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball when he signed a contract to play professional Baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Much of the film takes place between 1945 and the end of the 1947 season.
So why am I writing about him and not Batman or Wonder Woman? After seeing this incredible film, I couldn’t help but think back at my discussion with a local Girl Scout troop regarding what it means to be a superhero and it validated everything I ever thought or felt a superhero should be. You don’t need to fly or leap tall buildings in a single bound. You don’t need to have spidey senses to make you aware that trouble is coming and you certainly don’t need more money than God to have gadgets and your own Batcave. Your greatest power will always come from within. It starts with your heart and continues with your brain. You do it through integrity and honor. You do it by speaking for those who can’t speak for themselves.
“I want a player who’s got the guts “not” to fight back.”
~ Branch Rickey to Robinson.
When those words were spoken by GM Branch Rickey (played effortlessly by Harrison Ford) to Jackie Robinson spoke volumes to me. How often do we hear, “that unless you walk a mile in my shoes” you have no idea what a person goes through in their everyday life. Generally speaking, it takes very little effort to fight but it takes an incredible amount of courage to turn the other cheek. This isn’t about being a coward or not having the guts to throw down with someone. No, this is about recognizing that the cause you are fighting for is far greater than the individual himself. Sure, on the surface Jackie Robinson’s story is about breaking the color barrier in Baseball. But to minimize it as only that, would be injustice to his legacy.
There always needs to be a first when it comes standing up against those who hold us back and keeps us from achieving what is our basic human right to become. I am reminded of a great quote and a running theme from the latest Batman trilogy:
“Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves back up.”
~ Thomas Wayne to his son Bruce.
Jackie Robinson had his share of falling down, literally being knocked down by pitchers who didn’t want “his kind” playing baseball with them. But like any hero, Jackie picked himself up, dusted himself off and continued to fight on. It’s the true measure of a hero. Everyday heroes come in many different shapes and sizes, creeds and religions, race and gender. Mr. Robinson was and still is such a hero. A hero for all-time.
For the record, I am proud to say that this turned out to be my 42nd posting since the inception of the Dork Knight. I couldn’t ask for a better subject to talk about.
42 ***1/2 (out of 4)
For the record, I am proud to say that this turned out to be my 42nd posting since the inception of the Dork Knight. I couldn’t ask for a better subject to talk about.
42 ***1/2 (out of 4)
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
