Photo Credit: Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images
January 31st, 2016 would have been Jackie Robinson’s 97th birthday. Much has been written about the baseball player’s life. His memory is shared at every baseball park across America by placing his number, 42 in every park; the number 42 was retired by every major league team making Jackie the first pro athlete in any sport to receive such an honor. In every ballpark across America, April 15th is celebrated as “Jackie Robinson Day”.
He was a great baseball player, but the purpose of his memory is for so much more than to remember his contributions to baseball. His story is an American story. His story is about achieving your dreams with courage and perseverance, whether it is purposeful or for survival. On his birthday I reflect on what we in America have learned since the days he played baseball and changed American sports, American culture, and had an impact on race relations and acceptance in such a crucial time in our history. As the first African American baseball player there’s no doubt he faced adversity beyond what we could even imagine.
Jackie Robinson achieved greatness in baseball and in life by demanding that he be treated with respect and by maintaining control over his anger. Regardless of our race, there are lessons in Jackie’s life that we all can apply to our own lives. Not all of us get the respect we deserve in our job, relationships, or in any endeavor we may pursue. If we value ourselves enough to demand what we deserve, we may get the promotion, the raise, or the recognition. Our self-esteem is centered in receiving positive affirmations and not letting others take advantage of us. The benefits may not be immediate, but there is a universal law that appears to be at work when we honor and respect ourselves.
While Jackie was in the Army, he was once ordered to sit in the back of the bus on an Army bus he was traveling on. He was arrested by military police and would later be charged to be court-martialed. He was acquitted of the charges but the events of that day would solidify his actions and his need to defend himself. Opportunity seemed to find Jackie as he pursued the kind of life that no black man at the time dared to dream. After he successfully won his plea to be an Army officer, he pursued baseball, football, coaching basketball, and also became a successful entrepreneur. If any of us ever intend to have others respect us, we must first respect ourselves. It is a challenge that faces us constantly and can turn the nicest person into the most bitter.
When Jackie Robinson signed a baseball deal with Branch Rickey, the general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, many Negro League players were upset as they felt there were others in the league who were better baseball players than him. While Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson may have been better players, the opportunity to play in the major leagues came with two conditions. You not only had to be a good baseball player, you had to be able to withstand the non-stop grueling racial hatred that would be spewed upon you at every single ball park you played at. Branch Rickey knew this and asked Jackie to make a commitment to him to “not fight back”. It was a challenge that Jackie faced throughout his career and required a strength that many others may not have had. Jackie maintained control over the anger and hatred he felt and did not fight back. While some may have viewed his vulnerability as a weakness, the impact it had won him the respect of many and impacted race relations in America that would later transition to others who preached non-violence like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Do you feel attacked on every side? Do you feel discouraged or unappreciated? This day, on Jackie Robinson’s birthday, think about Jackie. Think about all that he achieved despite being hated and despised simply because he was a black man. He respected himself and knew who he was. He played harder and fought harder than everyone else on the field. He knew he was a good baseball player. He wanted to achieve great things and he fought to do so. Many of us today will not face the obstacles he faced, but all of us know what it’s like to be disrespected.
Fight like Jackie for your dreams. Live like Jackie did, never letting anyone tell you that you aren’t valuable. We’re all special and we all have gifts and we can’t give up when someone treats us unfairly. Each day is a new day. Brush yourself off and face the fear, hatred, or uncertainty with a determination that will lead you to greatness. Had Jackie given up, he would not have gone to six World Series, six All-Star Games, started a business, and become known as one of the most courageous men of in American history. One of the best ways to honor him and remember him is to learn from him.
Happy Birthday Jackie Robinson. Thank you for your greatness. Thank you for being an American hero.
