Portraying Robinson in the wax museum only fueled Brayden’s
fire to go watch the movie. At first, we
told him that we would have to go watch it first to make sure it was suitable
for him to watch but finding a time in our busy schedules to do so was proving
to be nearly impossible. After reading a
couple of reviews of the movie written by people who had taken 8-year old
children to see the film, I decided to take him but warn him about some of what
he would see depicted in the film.
So Saturday evening, Brayden and my wife and I all strolled
into the movie theatre. I don’t think I
am going out on a limb here when I say that Brayden was one of a handful, and
possibly even the only, 8-year-old white kid to got watch the film wearing a
Jackie Robinson replica 42 jersey. And
if anyone gave him a funny look for doing so, I didn’t notice and if they had I
wouldn’t have cared because I thought it was absolutely awesome!
As for the movie itself, it was phenomenal. As with any historical film produced in Hollywood
While viewing the film, two scenes really stood out in my
mind to embody the struggle that Jackie faced on the field and the history of
racism in our nation. The first was when
the Dodgers played the Philadelphia Phillies and the Phils’ manager, Ben
Chapman, began belittling and mocking Robinson as he came to bat. He personifies the soul of the stereotypical,
Southern racist and unleashes a ruthless rant on Robinson as he is trying to
hit. It was bad enough the first time he
does it but by the end of his third at bat, it is absolutely discomfiting. I was literally uneasy at the verbal abuse
that he was perpetrating and I was in a theater full of people that looked like
me. But it is at that moment when one of
Jackie’s teammates, Eddie Stanky, comes to his aid and confronts the bigoted
manager because he knows that Jackie is not in a position to retaliate. In that
scene, we ride the rollercoaster of human nature. I can honestly say that I have never been
treated with the malice that Jackie Robinson (and so many others) was and hope
I never will be but I can say that if I do ever encounter it, I pray that I
have the resolve that he did.
The other scene takes place when the Dodgers go on the road
to play the Reds in Cincinnati Louisville , KY.
All in all, it turned out to be a great decision to take
Brayden to watch the movie. Brayden
absolutely loved the film and came away with an even greater appreciation for
what Jackie Robinson accomplished. For
me, it was very teachable moment to spend with my son and for him to learn some
great and horrible events in American history.
After leaving the movie, I said to Brayden, "You know those things
the Phillies manager was saying to Jackie, you don't ever say those things,
right?" He replied, "I had no
idea what he was saying but I know to never say them." I couldn't help but think that it was a great
thing that he was eight and had no idea what those words meant. I know I couldn't make that claim at that
age. It also gave me hope that things
will continue to get better with each passing generation. Besides, in the profound words of my teaching
mentor, John Lynd, "There is only one race and that is the human
race." If only we could all look at
others through those eyes.
