JACKIE ROBINSON: Beyond the Baseball

Say the name Jackie Robinson, and everyone knows who you’re talking about: the legendary baseball player who has one of the most impressive baseball careers of any player. Feats of his career include earning the Rookie of the Year award his first year with the Dodgers in 1947, being named All-Star every year from 1949-1954 and becoming the first black player to win the National League Most Valuable Player Award. However, Robinson’s triumph over inequality and his impact on civil rights are truly what make him a hero.

Robinson faced racism both on and off the field. While he served in the army in 1944, Robinson was ordered to sit in the back of a Texas bus because of the segregationist practices still going on at the time. When he was signed to the Dodgers in 1946, Robinson had to endure racist slurs from fans and other players, egregious hate mail and death threats for almost his entire career.

In addition to social discrimination, Robinson had to face discriminatory laws while the Dodgers played in the South. Because of the Jim Crow laws in place during that time, Robinson could not legally stay in the same hotels or eat in the same restaurants his white teammates did.

Though Robinson was treated as subhuman, he never stooped to the level of the people who discriminated against him. Robinson turned the other cheek when he received threats and was taunted, he showed discipline and never acknowledged it. This is due to Brooklyn Dodgers Executive Branch Rickey. In an interview with Robinson, Rickey told him not to respond when he underwent racial abuse.

Robinson allegedly said, “Are you looking for a negro who is afraid to fight back?” Rickey replied that he was looking for someone “with guts enough not to fight back.”

Although Robinson had every right to defend his equality as a human being, he didn’t. He endured years of torment so other black people, like him, could have a shot at doing what they love. This impact is still being felt today.

Dave Roberts, current manager of the Dodgers, recently visited the Jackie Robinson Museum in New York City. After the tour, Roberts said, “It was great. What’s great is he was a great baseball player [and a] great athlete, but Jackie’s passion was civil rights and equality and more so than baseball. It was more that baseball was just a vehicle to use his voice, which is pretty cool to see and actually pretty inspiring.”

Robinson continued his passion for civil rights after he retired from baseball in 1955. He was active in many civil rights groups, including the NAACP. Robinson said about civil rights, “There’s not an American in this country free until every one of us is free.”

Although Jackie Robinson is a household name people associate with the civil rights movement, they may not grasp the finer details of his monumental impact. The film “42” documents events from Robinson’s life and career, and is an acclaimed resource to educate and inspire people about Robinson.

Thanks to Jackie Robinson, people have a role model for dealing with times of adversity. He is an example of strength through discipline and a reminder to stand up for what you believe.

Everyone will experience struggle, in some form or fashion, throughout their life. One of the most grueling issues we face is how to properly deal with stress and our personal issues. For years, people have been experimenting with different coping mechanisms for stress, and how to properly manage it.

Though I believe psychological therapy is an effective way to help an individual work through difficult periods of life, it may not be for everyone. People have their own preferences on how they wish to deal with their hardships, and it’s completely understandable that counseling may not be the best for all.

That being said, there are many other methods of coping that have proven to be extremely therapeutic. I believe music is one of the best forms of therapy and one of the greatest forms of art we ever created. In just one piece, there are so many elements and layers to be explored. It tells a story, relays emotion and allows the listener to connect in a very intimate way. Every piece, across all genres, has something to offer.

Every person has their own unique and individual tastes, and oftentimes, their own interpretations of different songs. Music genres exist because of this. Some may listen to the lyrics of a song and derive a meaning from the words, while others (like myself) listen more theoretically and analytically, focusing on the musical composition.

In addition, some enjoy listening to music that expresses the emotions they’re feeling at the moment. For example, if I’m feeling happy or excited, I’m more inclined to listen to rock music, or something with an electric guitar, maybe in the key of C or G. However, if I am feeling down, mellow or depressed, I might choose to listen to a softer song, such as a classical piece in the key of Db or Gb.Regardless of your personal tastes, genres exist to help listeners find something that resonates with them. This can be especially helpful during times of heightened anxiety. There are different kinds of music therapy that can help you to take great steps in alleviating tension. It doesn’t have to be a certain song or genre that helps a person to relieve their stress. It’s all based on what the listener is feeling at the present moment.

Some may not have a taste for music at all. There are many who say music doesn’t appeal to them. They may listen to a piece, regardless of genre, and not pull anything from it. There are people who are skeptical, maybe those who have tried pursuing therapy but haven’t found the right kind of music for it to be properly effective.

If just listening by yourself does not grant the desired results, there are other ways to utilize music for relaxation. You can try composing, dancing, singing or sharing songs with friends. There isn’t one style fit for everyone. This is the beauty of music. There are so many effective options within the realm of music therapy, all of which can help relieve tension, stress or anxiety. Everyone discovers their tastes and favorite genres through exploration. So, even if you haven’t found a genre you relate to yet, music therapy is always there to act as a soothing balm for hard times.