Similarities and Differences between 42 and True Events Jackie Robinson once said, "There is not an American in this country free until every one of us is free" -Jackie Robinson. The film, 42, was based on Jackie Robinson’s life as a segregated African American being signed to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team. During the film, it showed how Jackie Robinson demonstrated true courage and commendable restraint by letting his unmistakable talent silence the critics for him. The adaptation portrayed Jackie Robinson as a Negro League baseball player who never takes racism lying down. There were many similarities between the film and the events that lead up to Jackie Robinson’s fame; however, a number of characters and events were portrayed …show more content…
For example, in both the adaptation and real life events, Jackie Robinson was court-martialed and arrested for refusing to go on a segregated bus. According to History vs. Hollywood, “The 42 true story reveals that Robinson had been arrested and court-martialed during boot camp for refusing to go to the back of a segregated bus, as explained in the movie” (“42 (2013)”). Additionally, this movie, once again, opened people's eyes to how irrational segregation was. In both the movie and events, many of the other baseball players on Jackie Robinson’s team started a petition against him. History vs Hollywood explains, “during training camp, teammate Dixie Walker instigated a petition against Jackie Robinson. Though it was supported by some of the players, others like Pee Wee Reese refused to sign it" (“42 (2013)”). Dixie Walker started a petition that people signed against Robinson, then again, some people did not sign it and thought it was unjust. Many further similarities were included in the film; however, the director also adjusted a number of events and characters to accommodate his …show more content…
However, the actual events varied. Ed Charles’ did show great admiration towards Jackie Robinson, but to much disbelief, Robinson did not actually toss his baseball to Charles. History vs Hollywood additionally claims, “as a youngster Ed Charles did put his ear to the train tracks to listen as Jackie pulled away from the station. ‘I sat in the segregated section of the ballpark and watched Jackie,’ said Charles” (“42 (2013)”). Ed Charles was just Robinson’s shadow, as he stalked him from time to time as a child. Moreover, Jackie Robinson being the only African American at the spring training with the Montreal Royals in 1946 had not been true in real life events. Rob Neyer noted, “Jackie Robinson is the only black player in spring training with the Montreal Royals in 1946; in real life, pitcher John Wright was there, too.” John Wright was by Jackie Robinson’s side, being the two African American Players at the spring training. Even though the director did not completely orient with some of Jackie Robinson's real life events in his film, Helgeland’s movie still proved to be spellbinding to
The movie that we viewed in class is 42: The Jackie Robinson Story directed by Brian Helgeland. It was released in 2013 as a pg-13 movie and is 2 hours 8 minutes long. This movie is a historical non-fiction drama about the baseball player, Jackie Robinson, and the struggles he endured as being a black man playing in major league baseball in the 1940s. The theme of the movie highlights the importance of relationships between people, with Jackie Robinson as the ultimate applicant for desegregated baseball. This movie’s purpose is to not make us feel shameful from our national shortcomings but feel pride in the triumph of Jackie Robinson.
Baseball is one of the nations pastimes, and accepting a black man playing baseball made it easier to see integration in more important instances. Branch Rickey was an innovative MLB executive who had high hopes for Robinson. Rickey saw the qualities that Jackie Robinson possessed and his hope was that he could use Jack to help break the color barrier. Respect and equality was important in Robinson 's career and he knew that blacks needed to be accepted in the Major Leagues in order for the league to be just. Having this knowledge made him stick with baseball even when he thought about quitting. Jackie 's commitment was one of the most important values for successfully breaking the color barrier, and his attitude of determination and persistence helped him fight for justice. With the help of Rickey and many peers, Jackie agreed to sign with the Dodgers, where he remained committed so that more could follow in his path on and off the field.
I watched “42” this weekend. The movie is based on a few years in Jackie Robinson’s life as the first Black man to enter Major League Baseball. It was amazing.
“Spring training in Florida was rough for Robinson due to segregation laws” (“Jackie” 2). This quote shows the MLB was segregated and Jackie did not care. “ Robinson’s arrival on the major league scene in 1947 prompted slew racially motivated actions” (“Jackie” 2). This quote shows that people were going to hate Jackie and he knew that people would.“ The St. Louis Cardinals threatened to go on strike” (“Jackie” 2). This quote shows teams were not going to play with Jackie in the league because they did not want him to play baseball. “ National League president Ford Frick threatened to ban all strikers from professional baseball” (“Jackie” 2). This quote shows that Ford Frick is willing to stand up for Jackie and people care about Jackie playing baseball. “ Pitchers often threw the ball directly at Jackie, baserunners tried to spike him” (“Jackie” 2). This quote shows that other pitchers and runners hated Jackie and tried to get him out of baseball. “In his first year, Jackie hit 12 home runs and helped the Dodgers win the National League pennant” (“Robinson” 3). This quote shows that Jackie would be a key part for the Dodgers. “That year, Robinson lead the National League in stolen bases and was selected Rookie of the Year” (“Robinson” 3). This shows that Jackie would be a star in the MLB. Next will be breaking the color
The movie 42 is a story about Jackie Robinson’s life as a baseball player, and how he broke the baseball color barrier by becoming the first African American player in the league. The story begins with Wendell Smith giving the audience background information about the United States and their segregation laws, and he brings it in comparison with baseball. He discusses how baseball was made up of 16 professional teams of all white players, but then Robinson comes in the picture. The movie then goes on to talk about Robinson’s career on the Brooklyn Dodgers, but mentioning before his time on the Kansas City Monarchs and the Montreal Royals. When Robinson advances to play with the Dodgers some of his fellow players sign a petition saying they refuse to play with him, but as the season progresses they become close friends with Robinson. Some examples of their kindness to him include backing him up when the manager of the Phillies said some racial slurs to Robinson. Another is when a Pittsburgh player hit him in the head, and his teammates stood up for him. The movie ends with some facts about other African American players joining the league, and a summary of the rest of Robinson’s career.
Robinson later moved to Florida to practice his spring training with the Royals. This is where he became the first black player to ever play in a major league baseball game. Even though Rickey knew times would get hard for Jackie, he made Jackie promise to never fight back when the racism started to hit him. Robinson’s reactions to the racism were also tested by Rickey at the beginning of his career. Some of Robinson’s team mates didn’t agree with him being on their team. Jackie and his parents were threatened by people in the crowds.
Jackie Robinson did not only help initiate the integration of the game of baseball, but he also helped initiate integration throughout America. The film Soul of the Game does not go into all of the details regarding his career on the Brooklyn Dodgers, but rather it depicts his life and choices leading up to his career in the Major Leagues. This film portrays important themes such as segregation, perseverance, and doubt, and it applies to history in the beginning of the story of Jackie Robinson and how America has gotten to where it is now.
In the biography Jackie Robinson and the American Dilemma by John R. M. Wilson, it tells the story of racial injustice done after world war II and explains how Jackie Robinson was pioneer of better race relations in the United States. The obstacles Jackie Robinson overcame were amazing, he had the responsibility to convert the institutions, customs, and attitudes that had defined race relations in the United States. Seldom has history ever placed so much of a strain on one person. I am addressing the importance of Jackie Robinson’s trials and triumphs to American racial dynamics in the post war period to show how Robinson was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement and brought baseball fans together regardless of race.
Jackie Robinson was the very first African American to play on a major league baseball team; he played on the Brooklyn Dodgers. Jackie was a very passionate African American. Before his baseball career, he had a dream to be the very first African American baseball player. When he finally stepped on the field, he had to deal with “snubs and rebuffs” and “bigoted fans screaming ‘n-----‘. People doubted him and had no hope
Jackie Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31st 1919. In 1947, at the age of 28, Jackie became the first African American to break the “color line” of Major League Baseball when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers. During his tenure with the Dodgers, Jackie was not simply an average player. Among various other accolades, Mr. Robinson was a starter on six World Series teams as well as being named the National League Rookie of The Year in 1947. His advantageous career was then capped in 1962 when he was inducted in the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.1 Contrary to popular belief, Jackie's perseverance in implementing racial integration extended beyond his career in Major League Baseball. During the Sixties Jackie Robinson was a
Becoming the first African-American to break the racial barrier in a white supremacist sport like Major League Baseball during the 1940s when colored racism still occurred is an accomplishment like no other. Jackie Robinson faced numerous hardships and endured countless racial setbacks during his professional baseball career, but managed to set aside his frustrations and continue to emerge as a symbol of hope and unity for all. The makers of 42: The Jackie Robinson Story portray the story of his career as it demonstrates the struggle of race stereotyping during the 1940s and the interpersonal power struggles of being seen as an “equal”. “I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me... All I ask is that you respect me as a human being” (Robinson) is a powerful message that I would like for you to keep in mind as you continue to read.
The story of Jackie Robinson has become one of America's most iconic and inspiring stories. Since 1947, American history has portrayed Jackie Robinson as a hero, and he has been idolized as a role model to the African American baseball community. It is an unarguable fact that he was the first to tear down the color barriers within professional baseball. The topic of Robinson’s role in integration has long been a point of discussion amongst baseball historians. Researchers have accumulated thousands of accredited documents and interviews with friends and team mates such as short stop, Pee Wee Reese, and team owner, Branch Rickey. However, few journalists have asked why Robinson was selected and what was Branch
In 1950, Robinson starred in a Hollywood film that was a documentary his own life which caused yet again some strife and division amongst the people. Some people in Hollywood only wanted this film to be made if it was made clear that Jackie learned everything he knew at the hands of white people instead of allowing Jackie to tell the story how it really took place. Jackie later starred in the television show, Youth Wants to Know in 1952, and on that show is where he made comments about then manager for the New York Yankees, George Weiss, for not signing a black player to his team as of yet. In the following year Robinson began writing for a sports journal and used his sphere of influence to openly call out restaurants and hotels that were still segregated racially which caused many to change their rules. In 1955, despite the continuing threats made towards his family, Jackie Robinson finally won the World Series with the Dodgers (Erskine, C., & Rocks, B. 2005).
The first way the movie 42 and the are articles “Sports Stars: Jackie Robinson” is similar is because they both talk about how his own teammates didn't want to play with him in the major leagues. In the article, it stated, “Even some of his new teammates were against having an African-American on their team.” At that time, only white men could play in the major leagues. Racism
Jackie was a phenomenal athlete for young kids to look up to. After the start of World War II he served in the military from 1942 to 1944. After the war he returned to his love for baseball, playing in the Black major leagues. He was chosen by Branch Rickey, vice president of the Brooklyn dodgers, to help integrate the Major Leagues. Rickey hated segregation just as much as Robinson and wanted to change things “Rickey had once seen a Black college player turned away from a hotel… Rickey never forgot seeing this player crying because he was denied a place to lay his weary head just because of the color of his skin” (Mackenzie). He was finally able to do something about segregation and help change baseball and the United States for the better. It wasn’t that all the teams were racist and didn’t want a black player but when the major league teams had an away game they would rent out the stadium to the black teams for them to play at. And the executives of teams didn’t want to loose the money that they were making off of the black teams. “League owners would lose significant rental revenue” (“Breaking”). He soon signed with the all-white Montreal Royals a farm team for the Dodgers. Robinson had an outstanding start with the Royals, “leading the International League with a .349 batting average and .985 fielding percentage” (Robinson). After Robinson’s outstanding year he was promoted to the Dodgers he played his first game on