42 is an award winning motion-picture that was directed by Brian Helgeland. This film portrays the life of Jackie Robinson, the first African-American baseball player, who was subjected to bigotry and discrimination due to his recruitment into Major League Baseball (MLB). Although this film focuses on the racial integration of Robinson into the American MLB organization, the message of this film also outlines the social dynamics that surrounded this famous social blend. As specified in class, this integration was preceded by World War II, a global catastrophe that called for a total integration of the United States military. Subsequent to the war, many African-Americans and other minorities were inspired to stand up for themselves— just as …show more content…
they had previously stood up for the US in the war. As specified by Peter Dreier (2013), “Robinson broke into baseball when America was a deeply segregated nation. In 1946, at least six African Americans were lynched in the South. Restrictive covenants were still legal, barring blacks (and Jews) from buying homes in many neighborhoods—not just in the South. (Dreier, 2013, pg. 3). With that being said, these string of events called for Jackie Robinson to be recruited by Branch Rickey, the general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers. At this time in baseball, there was a call for change and Rickey was the one to pioneer it. Robinson’s recruitment into MLB underlines the many facets of racial integration that transpired in the United States at this time. Therefore, by watching this film one will be able to discern specific scenes and events that influenced social change in America. Throughout the film, there are many circumstances that highlight America’s ongoing social change involving racial integration.
In the beginning of the film, Rickey recruits Robinson on the premise of his ability to stand down to racial bigots and their prejudice comments. As stated in the film, “Robinson— You want a player who doesn't have the guts to fight back?/Rickey— No, I want a player who has the guts not to fight back” (42, 2013). This quote emphasizes Robinson’s need to not feed into racist ideology. As discussed in class, Robinson’s reactions would show the media that racial bigots were right, or prove that they were wrong. By Robinson maintaining composure and acting with dignity, he was able to support racial integration in American baseball. This was because Robinson was able to prove that he was not the same person that the media “painted” him out to be. This conversation is constantly referred back to throughout the film as Robinson is continuously provoked by those who refused to support him. In addition, there are also scenes that highlights Robinson’s growing support and as a result, America’s staggering social change toward racial inclusion. In the movie, Pee Wee Reese states, “Maybe tomorrow, we’ll all wear 42, so nobody could tell us apart” (42, 2013). This quote demonstrates America’s new found openness to having Robinson on the baseball team. In the film, Robinson’s dedicated and attitude allowed him to soar as an MLB player. In turn, Pee Wee Reese began to understand the hardships Robinson faced by challenging the status quo. Robinson received deadly threats on a daily basis and his ability to remain positive inspired those to stand up for what is
right. Jackie Robinson’s efforts in MLB opened new doors for African-Americans. This is because Robinson’s grace and courage inspired African-Americans to work toward equal rights. Antecedent to Robinson’s MLB journey, many African-Americans began to follow his lead. They modeled his courage and ability to maintain composure as they began to question landmark court cases, such as Plessy v. Ferguson. As stated in class, the Plessy v. Ferguson’s doctrine of “separate but equal,” was overturned by Brown v. Board of Education. These landmark court decisions lead the way to the Civil Rights Movement. However, Robinson’s work did not end with baseball. In accordance with Dreier’s article, “He became increasingly frustrated by the pace of change. "I cannot possibly believe," he wrote in his autobiography, I Never Had It Made, published shortly before he died of a heart attack at age 53 in 1972, "that I have it made while so many black brothers and sisters are hungry, inadequately housed, insufficiently clothed, denied their dignity as they live in slums or barely exist on welfare” (Dreier, 2013, pg. 11). Unfortunately, this quote is still a reality over fifty years later. In current times, African-Americans are still being victims of scrutiny due to their skin color. These individuals are often still subjected to “segregation,” as they are often not provided with a proper education and job opportunities. Notwithstanding, Jackie Robinson did help pave the way for many African-Africans; he inspired them to stand up and fight for equal rights. Although baseball is just a sport, his recruitment to the MLB turned out to be a bigger win than he could have ever anticipated.
In the movie 42 there were many uncalled for altercations. People booed Robinson when he entered the field. Snarky comments were made by everyone around the country. One of the worst altercations portrayed in this movie was when Ben Chapman, the Phillies manager attacked Jackie. Chapman vigorously
Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play Major-League baseball. His inspiring actions and wise words are remembered even now, and on Jackie Robinson day, all baseball players wear his jersey:“42”. Many biographies have been written, and one biography, The Noble Experiment. Recently, in April 2013, Legendary Motion Pictures released a movie entitled “42”. In many ways, the film and Jackie’s autobiography are alike. However, the are also different in many ways.
Branch Rickey was interested in Robinson for two reasons. One, being his talent, of course. Two, Branch Rickey wanted to make a change that will affect the MLB forever. Branch Rickey wanted to assist Jackie Robinson in breaking the color barrier. Jackie was soon tried on the Montreal Royals for the International Leagues. During this period of time, Jackie Robinson of course attracted a huge amount of attention, both good and bad. Of course, the white citizens were furious and continually frustrated with this “disgrace” to baseball. Although the reactions of Caucasians were negative, African Americans were very supportive and encouraged.
While some praised the addition of a black person in baseball, many did not. Robinson goes into detail about his positive relationship with several players, along with his heated association with Walter O’Malley, the Dodger owner, as well as the prominent sportswriter Dick Young, who racism revealed itself in many of Young’s own writing. During his first appearance as a major league baseball player in 1947, Robinsons says that some players were outraged they had to play with him; Rickey said if anyone didn’t want to play with him they could simply leave the
Jackie Robinson decided to fight to be the first African American to integrate the Major League Baseball (MLB). His autobiography states he “was forced to live with snubs rebuffs and rejections” ( Robinson). This quote shows that he was treated unfairly and disrespectfully. In Robinson’s autobiography it also states that Jackie Robinson broke the racial barrier and created equal oppurtunity proving that a “sport can’t be called national if blacks are barred from it”
Jackie Robinson changed baseball in America in the 1940s by breaking the segregation barrier that was bestowed on baseball. Robinson played in the Negro League for the Kansas City Monarchs. In 1945 Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers negotiated a contract with Robinson that would bring Robinson into the major leagues in 1947. Baseball was segregated because of racial intolerance, economic factors, and other complex reasons. The major leagues would rent out their stadiums to the Negro League teams when their own team would be on the road. For example, if the Brooklyn Dodgers were on the road they would rent out their stadium to the Kansas City Monarchs. Major League team owners also knew if they integrated the Majors the Negro League would lose their best players and the Negro League would be lost. Also, the Majors would lose significant revenue.
Robinson began playing baseball professionally after being discharged from the army. He started playing in the Negro Leagues, because at this time the sport was segregated and African Ame...
He narrowed down the list of prospects, searching for the best player to integrate baseball. The likely choices for talent would have been Satchel Paige or Josh Gibson. Rickey, however, wanted not only a star but a person who could deal with the harassment from the public, some teammates, and the overall opposition. Knowing of Jackie's talent and his hate for segregation, Rickey set up an interview hoping he could convince Robinson to sign a contract. When Rickey told Robinson why he had been brought to see him, Jackie's reaction was a combination of several emotions.
From the film “42” Jackie Robinson, African American man faced a lot of racial discrimination during the play, however he endures it and become a famous star. These are the actors/actress and Director; Jackie Robinson - Chadwick Boseman, Branch Rickey - Harrison Ford, Nicole Beharie - Rachel Robinson, Harold Parrott - T.R Knight, Ryan Merriman - Dixie Walker, etc, Directed by Brian Helgeland. These actors/actress and Director helped viewer to understand the feeling of Jackie Robinson and other African American’s feelings. Through the movie, we can see Jackie Robinson helped to breaking down the racism of america by playing MLB. This film also shows us how racism is bad, the ugly standard idea of racism, and how white guy treats Jackie Robinson.
To the average person, in the average American community, Jackie Robinson was just what the sports pages said he was, no more, no less. He was the first Negro to play baseball in the major leagues. Everybody knew that, but to see the real Jackie Robinson, you must de-emphasize him as a ball player and emphasize him as a civil rights leader. That part drops out, that which people forget. From his early army days, until well after his baseball days, Robinson had fought to achieve equality among whites and blacks. "Jackie acted out the philosophy of nonviolence of Martin Luther King Jr., before the future civil rights leader had thought of applying it to the problem of segregation in America"(Weidhorn 93). Robinson was an avid member of the NAACP and helped recruit members because of his fame from baseball. Jackie had leadership qualities and the courage to fight for his beliefs. Unwilling to accept the racism he had run into all his life, he had a strong need to be accepted at his true worth as a first-class citizen. Robinson was someone who would work for a cause - that of blacks and of America - as well as for himself and his team.
Jackie Robinson’s ability to successfully integrate his sport set the stage for many others to advocate for an end to segregation in their respective environments. His period of trials and triumphs were significant to changing American perception of the Civil Rights revolution. By becoming the first African-American baseball player to play in the major leagues, he brought down an old misconception that black athletes were inferior to white athletes. Successively, his example would inspire those advocating for their civil rights, he lived out a message of nonviolence similar to the one Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived out. Despite the constant prejudice he faced in his sport, he was able to keep himself composed and never retaliate.
Jackie Robinson’s dedication was a crucial instrumentality to achieve his goals in life, not just to make it into the MLB league. During World War II, Jackie Robinson was drafted into the U.S army in 1942. Jackie Robinson, and many other African American soldiers applied to Officers’ Candidate School (OCS), but all were rejected (Jackie Robinson, Facing Racism in the Army). With the help of Joe Louis, famous heavyweight champion, and Jackie Rob...
Jackie Robinson was the first black baseball player to play on the professional level, he was fearless, courageous, willful and strong. He was an advocate for civil rights, as well as a great baseball player. He had to try to keep quiet, and keep to himself while playing, but became a stronger and more extreme advocate over time. A leader on and off the fields dealing with much more than just baseball, he also had to deal with the criticism and racial tensions of a prominently white game. Branch Rickey, the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, was a showman who knew how to make money and fame in baseball “he had made a fortune for the cardinals as well as himself, and black talent could argument his bottom line by transforming his struggling dodgers into a power house” (Zeiler, 17). He wanted to make his team great by any means possible. He put his eyes on Jackie Robinson. Jackie Robinson changed the game and the world, and will always be a huge figure in baseball and civil rights.
Prior to beginning my readings on white racial identity, I did not pay much attention to my white race. If someone had asked me to describe my appearance I would have said short blond hair, blue eyes, average stature, etc. One of the last things I would have noted was the color of my skin. Growing up in overwhelmingly white communities, I never thought to use the color of my skin to differentiate myself from others. Over the course of this dialogue I have learned that my white racial identity is one of the most defining aspects of my appearance in this society. There is a certain level of privilege that I am afforded based solely on the color of my skin. According to Peggy McIntosh, “White privilege is like an invisible weightless knapsack of special provisions, assurances, tools, maps, guides, codebooks, passports, visas, clothes, compass, emergency gear, and blank checks” (71). All these objects listed by McIntosh are things I have access to and certainly take for granted. Due to a history of non-white racial oppression, which transformed into decades of racial discrimination that still lingers today, the white race has dominated our society in terms of resources and prosperity. The ideas of wealth, higher-level education and ambition to succeed are all traits commonly linked to people of the white race that collectively define privilege. The aspect of privilege can also produce disadvantages for people of the white race as well. In the book Promoting Diversity and Justice, the author D. Goodman notes that people of advantage groups develop a sense of superiority, which will sometimes lead them to wonder if, “their achievements were based on privilege or merit” (107). Along with a diminished sense of accomplishment, the cost ...
I classify my race, ethnicity, and culture as a white, Irish-Italian- American, woman. My mother was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and my paternal grandparents are from Sicily, Italy. I imagine being first generation Irish and second generation Italian helps me relate with my ethnicity.