42 (2013)

From blackwiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

42 was released on April 12, 2011, in the USA. The American drama film was produced by Warner Bros. The movie storyline was written and directed by Brian Helgeland. The movie was based on the life story of Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play in the major leagues. What he brought to Major League Baseball was exceptional, and in return, Major League Baseball retired Jackie Robinson’s number 42 for every team[1].

Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) in 42[2]

Plot

From the 1940s to the 1950s, race and color skin were still a barrier for players to enter the baseball pro competition. Branch Rickey, Executive of Brooklyn Dodgers, set to bring a bold idea to change the unspoken rule in Baseball. He recruited Jackie Robinson, the first African American Major League player, to his team. Since the first time they met, Rickey has told him there will be people who would scold him for being black, and eventually, Jackie agrees if he gets his own number on his uniform back. At first, many Dodgers players wary and sign a petition against the team's decision. Throughout the tournament, he got aggressive mockery from everywhere, the fans of Dodgers, his teammates, opponents. However, he also got support from his surroundings, his wife, teammates, journalists, and African Americans. In the end, he brings the Dodgers to the World Series by hitting a home run despite his injury which just occurred before[3].

Black Empowerment

The movie shows that anti-racism has to be done with nobility, not commotion. As the scene shows where Robinson asks Rickey who looks for a player who doesn't have the guts to fight back. Rickey answers "No, I want a player who has the guts not to fight back" [4]. Also, the surroundings of Jackie tries to empower him like when the scene shows Jackie got booed in Cincinnati, Pee Wee Reese stands next to Jackie and puts his arm around him, showing the symbol where Jackie has the same standpoint as him. The epilogue also explains how Jackie, Ricket, and Pee Wee Reese got inaugurated into the Baseball Hall of Fame and Jackie's number "42" is the only number retired from Major League Baseball[5].

References