42

I found it very intriguing to watch Jackie Robinson's story in the movie 42. To watch how an African American man with such courage could defy the odds of the time and play on an all white baseball team was truly amazing. Robinson was torn down repeatedly for his race. He was bullied and made fun of, even by his own teammates. Better yet, his team was denied access to hotels and restaurants because of his race. Robinson showed immense courage and determination as he was able to get past these obstacles and focus on what he needed to do for his team. Eventually, his teammates began to accept his race and Robinson for who he was as a person. The movie very accurately depicted racism back in the day, and showed how slowly whites began to accept African Americans as their equals. 

Robinson's story was a large step towards creating the tolerant society we live in today. People at the time were extremely prejudice and thought that blacks were inferior to whites. Jackie Robinson showed the country that regardless of his race, he was a team player for the Brooklyn Dodgers and he wouldn't let anything stop him. He didn't let what people thought of his race effect how he played baseball, and that is what made him so fantastic. The whites of the country were moved by his courage and began to grasp the fact that blacks were no different from them, and wanted to succeed in life just like they did. One mans courage can move a whole country. 

I agree with Jackie's statement, "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." In life, really all it comes down to is if you helped other people with their lives. That is how people are remembered. They are remembered for what they did for others, not what they did for themselves. 

Jackie had very important values that are useful in anyone's life. I feel that integrity will help me face many barriers. In today's society it is very common for people to succumb to the pressure of other's as they try to get them to act or speak out in a way that they want. Though, I feel it is very important to have integrity so that no matter what anyone wants you to do, you can act in accordance with what you believe is right. When people and the media try to get me think or act a certain way, I think it is very important that I maintain my integrity.