Number 42 - Jackie Robinson (American Hero)

      

     In the last year, it has been a difficult task to find new Hollywood flicks that have even attempted to create a "wow factor" and provide a feeling of money well spent.  When I was flying to Switzerland, I got to see Abraham Lincoln, and needless to say, Daniel Day Lewis is a genius in this film.  Abraham Lincoln  is an iconic and inspiring American president, his quotes and belief in change drove him to be assassinated by Southern white folks that gained their wealth off the lands of Native Americans and the tears of African Americans.

     Any threat to these early immigrants upper class status often warrants outrage and hatred directed at some quote/unquote "minority groups" and the original inhabitants of the land.  Currently, a tragic bombing has occurred at the Boston Marathon, and what will be even worse is the future treatment of Muslim individuals in USA.  I can imagine in these communities there is fear, for America needs a scapegoat to justify the death of innocent American citizens.  However, during the years of segregation and draconian law in the states that created separation and pitted "white" people as a superior race, it was fair game on Native or African Americans.

    Looking for inspiration during an uninspiring long Saskatchewan winter, I decided to attend the

Hollywood picture, 42.  Jackie Robinson has always been a hero of mine, a man that encountered the brunt of America's rage against it's African American citizens.  Post World War 2 and the apparent end of Facism did not deter countries from continuing on with Jim Crow law.  Measures were still in place to segregate, intimidate and keep inferior those determined less then the "white elite".

    After my latest Hollywood victory, watching Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in Silver Linings Playbook.  The inspiring and intense acting of Cooper & Lawrence, not to mention the veteran savvy of a Robert de Niro, the cinematography and professionalism created a Hollywood masterpiece.  In that case, I had high expectations for 42 and waited for opening weekend to be inspired

and motivated to create change in this world.

    Robinson had a larger then life responsibility, much like Nelson Mandela using Rugby to unite a South African apartheid system; Jackie Robinson was a social experiment by General Manager Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers, a testing of the strong racial divisions that existed in America.  Robinson's introduction into the Montreal Royals, a minor league affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers, tested the fabric of society.

  In the movie, the viewer gets a Hollywood feeling of a lovely family man (which Robinson was) in an uncomfortable situation.  The racial tensions are lightened by seeing a supportive African American community, a minor league coach that quickly comes around and amazing play that immediately impresses the teammates and wins their affection.  The racial tensions are

encountered when a police officer kicks Robinson out of a game for being black, this transpires into Robinson joking on the street with his wife while another white gentlemen walks up looking irritated.  In an intense moment, the viewer is led to believe that this gentleman is going to cause trouble for Robinson, instead he states that he is rooting for Jackie and that most of the folks are cheering for him.

   This is a recurring theme, as a racially intense moment occurs, we are brought back to humorous light-hearted moments, or the portrayal of Caucasian counterparts that defend, or want Robinson to succeed.  

Signing the Contract

  Robinson is then called up to the big team, the Brooklyn Dodgers, assisted by the assistant coach, he learns how to play first base.  It must be considered that Robinson's failure, or poor play might have set back the push for civil rights, or African/White relations in America.  There is no option for him to fail, his own community and the African American community needed a 1940's hero, one that can be compared to a Harriet Tubman.  Robinson is on this level, the movie does not portray the true hatred he would have encountered from his team mates, umpires, fans, or opposing team mates, but it attempts to capture moments of discrimination in a comedic light hearted method.

  As Robinson is training to be on the Dodgers, his team mates start a petition to have him thrown off the team.  This sparks the true character of Manager Rickey, who informs Lou the head coach in a rather humorous dialogue to tune those boys in.  The manager provides a late night passionate, slightly humorous speech informing the players Jackie is the first of many, so they better start playing, or their jobs will be taken.

  During Robinson's play with the Dodgers, he encounters moments from an opposing coach on the Phillies,

Alan Tudyk as Phillies Coach

who taunts Robinson at every turn.  He uses offensive language, this is a moment when the audience feels tension and we see Jackie break down for the first time in the film.  Not surprising, but this being the first time is impressive, but it allows the viewer for the first time to truly feel Jackie's pain.  However, General Manager Rickey appears to be the only one concerned and offers Jackie a passionate speech.  Robinson then responds just in time to take the field.

   During his next at bat, the opposing coach again starts in on Jackie with racial taunts, this sparks a time out moment and a fellow team mate of Robinson's to have enough.  He walks over to the coach and let's him have it, to where the coach stops the taunting allowing Robinson to hit a lazy off field single.  However, with Jackie's blazing speed and unorthodox base running, he is able to successfully steal second and third base, eventually being hit in by his teammate for the winning run, with Jackie providing a victorious glare at the opposing coach.

Malcolm X

  This Hollywoodized undermining of racial tensions in 42 is expected, Hollywood is in the capatalist world of making enormous profits.  In an independent film their would have been more emphasis on the political ramifications of Jackie Robinson's bravery.  He is iconic in the sense he opened the door for other players of African decent, but he also inspired civil rights movements and important leaders like Martin Luther King Jr,

Martin Luther King Jr

Malcolm X and Rosa Parks.  These leaders would also have an effect on civil rights in Canada, as many Aboriginal leaders would take example from King Jr and Malcolm X.

Rosa Parks

   This Hollywood picture does offer justice at the end by announcing where the players ended up and low an behold the racist coach of the Phillies was fired the year after.  As well, the only player that never came around to accepting Jackie, other then the one pitcher traded to Shittsburgh (oops I mean Pittsburgh) in an ironic twist was also traded to Pittsburgh, which provided a final laugh.

   Another important aspect of the movie is provided when Manager Rickey has a meeting with concerned future Hall of Famer Pee Wee Reece informing the Manager that he can not play at his hometown of Cincinatti because his family will see him play with an African player.  He received a note from a fan stating he was a newly acquired N word lover and this concerned Reece deeply.  However, Rickey in one of many passionate discussions displayed the letters sent to Robinson threatening the life of his family, this act itself inspired Reece in front of his hometown crowd to run up to Jackie and provide a powerful gesture of wrapping his arm around Jackie and in a strong southern accent provides Jackie with hope.

Reece sharing a moment with Jackie in front of his hometown Cincinnati fans

   Another light hearted scene is when one of Jackie's more liberal teammates approaches him sitting outside waiting to use the shower.  Hilarity ensues when at the persuading of his teammate, he inquires if Jackie would shower with him, this slightly awkward exchange becomes more hilarious as awkwardness prevails.  However, Jackie decides it is time to shower with his team, it is a very liberating moment as it portrays the move from discomfort to comfort, but there is a reluctant teammate beside Jackie that immediately ends his shower, portraying that not all teammates had fully accepted Jackie.  This being the same teammate that Jackie almost got into a physical confrontation with when they were refused a hotel in Philadalphia.

    Overall, the movie 42 is an inspiring brief cinematic glimpse into the life of an iconic American figure.  It provides light hearted humor, while attempting to capture the racial tensions.  This is a great family oriented movie, or even a movie to take the significant other too.  It encompasses baseball, friendship, family and the struggle for equality and equity in a racially divided world.  The movie fails in portraying the real racial tensions that were encountered by Jackie Robinson.  In lieu of the audience, the movie provides a lot of white heroes and humor that deflects uncomfortable racial moments.  However, can anything less be expected from Hollywood?  

    Chadwick Boseman plays a great rendition of Jackie Robinson, physically matching the part, he also provides a sense of emotion in the character that allows the audience to sympathize with Mr. 42.  Harrison Ford portrays General Manager Branch Rickey and really puts on a performance, always in character and inspiring.  The supporting cast also had some notables mixed with new comers to the Hollywood scene, but all gelled together well.  I would rank this film a 8 out of 10, mostly for inspiration, acting and creating a positive emotional feeling.  I believe it failed slightly in capturing the immense difficulty that Robinson encountered, unllike Maris who was played by Barry Pepper in *61, in that film one could feel the stress that Maris was encountering while chasing Ruth's home run record (much more conflict) with the same positive ending and light hearted humor.

  "A movie to go see for those needing a positive inspiring pick me up from the real world"

   Roy Pogorzelski

Idle No More 2012 (The Pogo Perspective)

It has been awhile since I turned to the blog to express my opinions.  However, arriving back from Europe in December to start teaching at the First Nations University, I realized I came at a very important political time for Indigenous Canadians and Concerned Canadians (I say concerned because unfortunately Canada is full of people that take no interest in political movements, but are the to first to air their ignorant opinions).

The Canadian government (or Harper's government as he would rather it be referred to) decided to pass undemocratically through parliament an omnibus Bill C-45.  This bill passed through so quickly it would make kidney stone patients jealous.  The idea behind the bill is that it eliminates the protection of 2.5 million lakes and rivers, it also eliminates the environmental protection from unscrupulous development companies that enjoy filling our waterways with nuclear waste.

Protecting our Water should be important to ALL CANADIANS!!

This has also become a violation of the rights for First Nations people entrenched in treaties that were signed on a nation to nation basis on mutual trust and sharing of this land.  Another important element is that the treaties only covered 6 inches under the ground, anything deeper would have to be re-negotiated and make further arrangements for those natural resources.

The Harper government has also declared to make amendments to the Indian Act that would open up lands to privatization, corporate development and national capitalism.  He is also interested in a new method in which we negotiate modern treaties, which would endure the same capitalist effect.

Arriving back, I heard of a Chief named Theresa Spence from the community of Attawapiskat who would endure a hunger strike, even willing to die in order to get a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor General David Lloyd Johnston to discuss Bill C-45 and the current colonial relationship between Stephen Harper and Aboriginal people in Canada.

Idle No More (Chief Spence)

A movement organized by 4 strong Indigenous women (Idle No More, 2012) sprung into action sweeping through the nation and capturing the attention of not only Canadians, but the entire world.  A movement resembling the strong political organizing of the 1970's when Trudeau's Liberal government tried to pass the White Paper of 1969 (an Act to assimilate First Nations treaties, reserve lands and culture into the mainstream).

Taiaiake Alfred stated in his book "Peace, Power and Righteousness" that it would be unrealistic in the present to see Canada create another Bill that would undermine Aboriginal and Treaty Rights.  However, a man that made a Residential School apology to all those that survived a shameful part of Canadian History (Harper's minority government) is now attempting to develop our resources to the highest bidder, so that Canada can grow into a capitalist, every man for them self society.

Harper at Residential School apology (June 11, 2008)

Harper getting his face painted on the Blood Reserve as a show of mutual respect!

This runs deeper then just the neglect for Aboriginal and Treaty rights, Bill C-45 deliberately tells all Canadians that the current administration is willing to destroy the environment, the drinking water and the beauty of Canada without consulting, being accountable or caring about the voices of all Canadians.

When I am travelling and representing proudly overseas my identity as a Canadian, I am informed by many new friends that they love Canada's nature and the beauty of the environment.  Much like the Scandinavian countries with amazing nature, especially Norway and governments that better represent a functioning democracy bound on protecting their lands for future generations; most Canadians stand "Idle", scratch their heads and start pointing fingers at the First Nations people (often time in generalizations).  First Nations people are referred to this because of their diversity as nations, as their eco-systems change from the Northwest Coast to the Eastern Woodlands, the political structures, needs of the community and traditions are different.

However, instead of some Canadians understanding what our capitalist conservative government (that has ran a deficit into the billions over the last 6 years) envisions for this great country; they start to point fingers at First Nations leadership and start attacking the personal finances of Chief Theresa Spence.

In my opinion, Chief Spence is a symbolic figure of this grassroots movement, she is an individual that put herself forward to gather the attention of the international community.  Whether or not people believe she is on a real hunger strike, her symbolism is gathering responses to the issues of environment, nation to nation relationships and treaties.  Indigenous people have always been intricately connected to Mother Earth and have emerged as leaders against capitalism, corporate greed and consumerism to ensure all Canadians understand what exactly is at stake.

It is easy for ignorant people to make this about race, ignoring the concept of "national solidarity".  However, my people the Metis fought hard to protect Canada, as they brought Manitoba into confederation (against a Prime Minister that wasn't even Canadian, but Scottish).  They fought gallantly for their rights in 1885 as Canadians against a paramilitary police force (NWMP) made up of  "foreigners" that had no connection to this land.

John A Macdonald (Born in Glascow Scotland)

However, our people got deemed terrorists, rebels and traitors and our patriotic Canadian born leader (was hung by a Scottish Prime Minister).  I am a patriotic Metis Canadian that embraces the idea of "functioning democracy", but what is happening at the moment is not a country based on equal, or equitable rights, it is a conservative country based on division, generalizations and capitalist greed.

Canadian Patriot Louis Riel (Born in St.Boniface, CANADA)

It is easy for certain Canadians to point the finger and generalize Indigenous leadership, it is easy to start bashing Chief Therese Spence, it is easy to express your words in an anger and hate filled way, but if you decide to speak against the movement, at least have the courtesy to be informed, aware and open-minded.  That is why I am "Idle No More", I am encouraged to see the youth rise up with a modern day grassroots movement to bring all Canadians together to say in a democratic way to our government "it is time to start governing for Canadians (all Canadians) and not just the 1-2% that will benefit from corporate greed in the development of our natural resources".

I am proud of my First Nations brothers and sisters for standing up for the rights of all Canadians, now it is time for all Canadians to fight with us to protect what we love most about Canada (the nature).

Roy Pogorzelski