42 and Jackie Robinson

Post Date

Wed, 04/24/2013 - 08:43

Categories

Movies

Last night I took my son to see 42, the Jackie Robinson story. I was a very good movie that, save some graphic language (that was necessary to the story yet difficult to sit through) had the feel of the type of feel good movie you might have watched in school.

The best part of the movie I believe was how they delved a little deeper into the concept of motivation. It wasn't simply about them being courageous, but also about what motivated them to find the courage and wisdom to accomplish such great things. Rather than just showing that Jackie was courageous, the movie explored how he was motivated by his love and respect for his wife, by his son, his absent father, Rickey, his teammates, fans, his enemies...and probably most importantly, his fierce self-respect.

It might be difficult for many of us to relate to his challenge in this day and age. However, we all have our own challenges in our lives, some more monumental than others. If you believe what you hear from people every day, you would think that some people's challenges are every bit as monumental as Jackie's (few are of course). What every person can take out of this movie though is how Jackie found his courage and his moral compass. I believe if everyone in this day and age sought and found motivation the way Jackie did, they would find their direction much clearer and there problems smaller and fewer.

Then again...that was a much simpler time, wasn't it?

Comments

Fred Klein

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Growing up at the time and being a Yankee fan we played Jackie in World Series year after year. Yogi tagged him out in his famous "steal" of home, but he risked it. I must admit I had no idea I was witnessing a history altering game changer for our country. He was a great great man!

Erik Scheibe

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I did find it interesting that as we were walking out of the theatre, there were a number of older folks (a couple of Met jackets even) that were walking out talking about the movie from what sounded like their own personal experiences from the time, what they liked about it and what they didn't. I think many people who weren't around then lose track of this being a local story because of how big it became and because we don't associate the Dodgers with New York. Perhaps the same way a generation from now people won't associate the Islanders with Long Island. ;)

Vincent Serro

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Fred,
Not being as old as you, I've only seen the videotape of the famous Yogi tag. Jackie was safe by a mile! It's just another example of the Yankees getting all the calls.
In all seriousness, being someone who only knows a post-civil rights world, I can't imagine the unadulterated, outward racism and pure hatred he had to endure. Of all of the heroic athletes in modern times, you have to have a ton of respect for Jackie Robinson.