12 Things You Should Know About ’42’ Before You See It

1. Wear your Dodger gear. You’ll get extra brownie points if you wear your authentic Jackie Robinson jersey. You can also wear Kemp’s if you must.

2. Sit near the elderly woman who remembers life before Jackie. She won’t ruin your experience by texting the whole time.

3. Prepare yourself for one of the most powerful scenes surrounding the n-word and bigotry that you’ve ever seen in your life.

4. Get comfortable. That means turn your phone off. The constant vibrating of new texts and Instagram posts will only distract you.

5. Stare at the characters longer if you need to. Kudos to the Casting Director and Costume Designer because some of your most beloved TV actors make this movie. Yes, that is T.R. Knight.

6. Pay attention. The history lesson is grandiose but the movie makers do a nice job of incorporating the details.

7. Don’t expect to hear Jay-Z’s voice at any point during the movie. His song, “Brooklyn (Go Hard)” was used on the trailer to entice you into the seat, not to play part to the period piece. Come on, the movie is set in 1947. Billie Holliday is a much better choice.

8. No drinks. You don’t have time for a bathroom break. The movie progresses at a steady pace and you don’t want to miss anything.

9. Relax. The movie is non baseball fan friendly, meaning it’s not bogged down in terminology and references that the average person wouldn’t know. Remember, it’s about a man who played baseball more than the game itself.

10. Stay with the message of the movie, the dialogue won’t necessarily move you. There are no poignant quotes that need to be tweeted or posted following the movie but the message is remarkable and the movie’s progression makes it an achievement.

11. Don’t succumb to the ‘Scary Movie’ pressure of believing you will enjoy that movie more than you will ’42’. Yes, there are derogatory phrases used repeatedly and yes there are other moments in the film that will make you uncomfortable but it’s a part of our legacy as a country. Deal with it. Not to mention, there are comedic moments and other heartfelt areas that will touch you in a way the cameo-filled and ridiculously cliched ‘scary movie’ cannot. If you must, it will still be in theaters next weekend.

12. Finally, appreciate the legend. Jackie Robinson not only changed the game of baseball, he helped change our culture as a nation.

42 – Official Trailer

measure of a man

Today commemorates the 45^th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s murder in Memphis, Tennessee. I, like so many, am reminded of the enduring legacy he left behind. Every year, during the month of February, the administration at my Christian middle school would encourage us to look into Black History. Without fail, all of us hoped we would pull MLK’s name out of the basket each year because of course, he would be the easiest to report on. (Our teachers soon figured out our scheme and permanently removed his name from the stack.) Documentaries, books, films, and several made-for-TV movies provided a substantial amount of resources for our class presentations.

One year, I remember being made to memorize his “I Have A Dream” speech with three of my classmates for a sorority dinner. (I think we were ten.) We practiced for weeks after school, added hand movements and gestures to the later part of his speech, a feat that seemed successful as we received a standing ovation for our performance.

Even as a pre-teen, I admired him. I read about the discrimination he and others faced and didn’t know if I could passively respond to such intense and emotionally charged situations.

Years have passed since I had to stand at the front of the class and deliver my report on such pioneers as Martin Luther King, Lr., Malcolm X, Bessie Griffin, Charles Drew, Toussaint L’Overture. Unfortunately, I can only recite a few lines from his most infamous speech, but recent events have ushered in a new audience and more global recognition for the sacrifices he made on behalf of the persecuted. When President Obama was elected to office in 2008, he ushered in a new chapter in King’s legacy. Many cited Obama as the embodiment of King’s ultimate dream—the first African American President. Throughout his entire campaign, Obama made references to the “Baptist preacher” whom dreamed of an equal America. Following his election rumors circulated about possibly establishing a memorial in King’s honor. Truthfully, I had my doubts. The first memorial on the National Mall, of all places, and that of a non-president?

In 2011, the dream became a reality. (Pun intended.) This past January, I finally visited the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. Surrounded by a slew of people from all walks of life, I was taken aback that in death King was able to achieve his dream of joining people together regardless of race, creed, and sex. One of the more memorable moments occurred when a little boy, not more than seven started to read aloud the large quotes etched on the stone walls surrounding the controversial King Memorial. He slowly sounded out the longer words and when his voice began to trail, his mom would encourage him by saying, “Louder Sweetheart!” A crowd soon gathered and followed as this young boy journeyed from quote to quote, each snapping pictures or filming the incredible moment.

Watching him and hearing him recite the words of this great man who went on to change history touched my heart. It made me have the same hope, aspirations, and positive outlook on the world that I first felt when I was old enough to comprehend the impact that King had and continues to have on this world. Hearing him made me dream of a better world. Hopefully, when that young man grows up, the words he recited will not be a fleeting memory, but rather a staple upon which he builds his dreams.