Movies that Matter: 42

Let your talent silence the critics.

Every month Iowa Central’s Student Senate features a “movie that matters.” These movies are selected based off of current happenings in the world, or monthly themes. Since February is dedicated to celebrating Black History Month, the Student Senate selected the movie “42” to be shown to students.

The movie “42” is a sports drama that was released in 2013, and received relatively high ratings across the board. Directed by Brian Helgeland, filmmakers tried to bring the story of baseball legend, Jackie Robinson, to cinema.

Jackie Robinson is prominently remembered as an American professional baseball player who became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball during the 20th century. In 1947 Robinson first took to the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers. That same year he was named Rookie of the Year, and National League MVP in 1949. To continue his successful career he went on to become a World Series champion a few years later in 1955.

While distinguishing himself as a very talented second basemen, he was also becoming a vocal civil rights activist. When Robinson first began playing baseball, the sport as very segregated. In 1944 African-Americans and whites played baseball in separate leagues. He started off his baseball career playing in what was then known as the Negro Leagues. A man named Branch Rickey, the president of the Brooklyn Dodgers, then decided he wanted to enlist Robinson to join his team to help integrate Major League Baseball.

Robinson knew that times ahead would be difficult, but he made a promise to himself that he would not fight back when he was confronted with racism. The people in the stands watching Robinson play jeered at him for being different, but he played on and lets his talent silence the critics.

Dare to be different, and dare to be brave. Jackie Robinson defied the color barrier of a sport known as America’s greatest pastime. The heroic movie 42 follows his courageous story as he deals with racism while demonstrating admirable restraint.

Join the Student Senate in watching this historic movie on Tuesday, February 27th at 7:00pm. The movie will shown in the BHS building.