When I think about bridges and who or what I am thankful for, I think it would be a little too “on the nose” to express gratitude for a famous architect. It would also be difficult to pick from among the many great bridge-builders. Instead, I choose to be metaphorical. :)
I am thankful for Jackie Robinson. Yes, that is right – I am going to talk about baseball twice within one week. I am surprised because it is one of my least favorite sports, but evidently there is still plenty of value there and lessons to be learned. Even though I do not prefer this sport among other options, I can still appreciate it and its history. We each have opinions on favorites; tolerate them all. We will not agree on everything, y’all…
Again, I am extremely grateful for Jackie Robinson and all that he accomplished during a difficult age of segregation in America. He was the first black player to integrate into a Major League Baseball team, the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was mindful of the racial gap, and he bridged it spectacularly. I finally watched 42 earlier this year; I loved it so much. Chadwick Boseman has represented so many remarkable members of our collective consciousness. Both Jackie and Chadwick have bridged so many racial and societal gaps; they both broke through so many bombastic barriers.
That is precisely the point here. Both could have accepted the status quo. Both could have let others get to them and compromised their own values or moral compass. Both could have fallen off their bridges, but they did not fall. They persevered and prevailed against perilous problems. They powered through and pressed on. Jackie dealt with so much direct hate on all levels – emotional, mental/psychological, physical, spiritual, etc. I will not sugarcoat it; sadly, the majority of white masses back then acted egregiously and offensively, trying to knock him down or to break him down. Who truly knows how many times they came close to succeeding… I hate even considering it, but it is a probable truth.
It doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down. All that matters is you get up one more time than you were knocked down.
-Roy T. Bennett
Circling back to his values and moral compass, I think Jackie knew well what kind of bridge he was building. His values ignited a self-determination so fiery and passionate that no one would stop him. He continued on in the direction that his compass pointed, along his bridge being built. His supports were solid and sound, too; they secured his safety and strengthened his resolve. He put up with a lot to pave the way for so many.
A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.
-Jackie Robinson
Please, y’all, let’s stop trying to knock each other off of our bridges; instead, let’s support and strengthen one another. Altogether, let’s see how high all of our bridges can be built up brightly and better side-by-side. Maybe it is wise. Maybe it is dumb. Time will tell. <3
Life is not a spectator sport. If you’re going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you’re wasting your life.
-Jackie Robinson
There’s not an American in this country free until every one of us is free.1
-Jackie Robinson
- We can even expand this last quote to be broader and all-encompassing. There is not a citizen of this world free until each and every one of us is free. It feels like a truth to me. ↩︎