A. Generally, what is your reaction to the film? Name some ways it connects to sports & ethics.
B. Work together to apply the concepts of internalism & externalism to the film. Does sport have an internal morality, separate from the broader society? Specifically, was baseball racially integrated because it was the right thing to do, because it helped owner(s) make money, because Jackie Robinson was a great player, or some combination of those reasons? Can sports change society's morality?
Feel free to argue a position you don't necessarily believe in. Make two original posts (responding to both prompts A & B above) by 8 Sept. Respond to at least 3 of your classmates' posts (at least one in category A and one in B) by 10 Sept.
A. I was inspired by Jackie Robinson's strength and integrity to stand up through the racist obstacles that were thrown his way. He showed strength because I think most things he went through would have broken the average man, but he continued to play and fight through it all. He was always able to find courage and turn his cheek when tempted to fight back with the people who treated him so poorly. Hearing the "N" word used quite often during this film made me feel uncomfortable because it is a word that was frowned upon when growing up and a word I was taught at a young age to not use. This film connects to sports due to the fact that he was the first African American to join a Major League Baseball team and was eventually accepted into the Hall of Fame. Jackie Robinson faces an ethical dilemma of racism throughout the film. During this time segregation of race took place in America which conflicts ethical morality due to the mistreatment of the colored people. Some examples of this would be making the blacks sit in the back of the bus, restaurants would not serve them, hotels refused them, etc. The worst discrimination in this film to me was when death threats were made to him and his family for just being colored and playing the sport he loved. People wouldn't accept Jackie Robinson, but through all the trouble he face he became a hero to many.
ReplyDeleteB. Sport having an internal morality can be both yes and no in this case with the story of Jackie Robison. Yes, because the manager of the Dodgers and soon after his team gave him the opportunity to play and had faith in him. No, because although the Dodgers accepted Jackie not all teams in MLB, including the rest of society (or external view), did not accept him and continued to believe it was a white only sport and that he would never truly belong. I believe baseball was racially integrated because it was the right thing to do, because it helped owners make money, and because Jackie was a great player. It was the right thing to do because morally all people regardless of race should be treated both fairly and equally instead of discriminated against as the movie portrayed. The reason the manager of the Dodgers wanted a colored player on his team was to make more money due to the fact that African Americans would start attending games to support Jackie Robinson causing a higher income due to attendance. The manager of the Dodgers also saw the capability and potential that these African American athletes possess which would further his goal of obtaining a World Series win. I do believe that sports can change society's morality.
ReplyDeleteThis raised a really good view point and helped me see things from another perspective
DeleteA. My initial reactions to film after the several times I have seen it stay the same. The thing that really stood out to me was how Jackie not only took all the hate and harsh words from coaches, fans and just general people, but the fact he stood up for himself and his family. These days, if someone says something mean and painful to you, it turns into a big brawl. Jackie has a lot of courage to be able to go out and play baseball even though he is getting torn down by everyone around him. Growing up, I never was surround by the "N" word that is commonly used in 42. So to me, it was very difficult to watch them use it like it is their first nature. 42 is a great example of how messed up things were back then when they didn't have "laws or rules" against racism. Racism in this situation I think comes from a lack of sportsmanship from the other teams. The thing I hate the most is that when people let that word fly around, nobody gets the blame or punished for it. The way that 42 applies to sports and ethics is how he is the first African American to play in the Major Leagues. This set standards for baseball to where they are today. There hundreds of African American athletes in the professional world and I think it is great because the world would not be a good place to still live in, if life was like it was in 42. Segregation was a huge problem, and kind of still is. Being the first black male to play baseball shows how great of a person Jackie really was and he also showed people outside of the baseball world that african americans and whites can get along without any problem. You just have to find the right person like Jackie to show its just a skin color. Overall Jackie made history because today there are hundreds of african american players in not just baseball but all sports. He saved sports from being a "racial event" in todays world.
ReplyDeleteI think 42 is a great example of the yes and no aspects of sports morality. I dont think it matches sports morality because the way the way the Dodgers accepted Jackie onto their team, they did not really think about what the outside world would have to say about it. But on the other side, the Dodgers knew Jackie was special and that he would bring talent to the team so they gave him a chance. Yes I think it was the right thing to do, but in a way, I think it was just a way to bring in entertainment money but I also think it was a decision they made because they wanted to make it clear that they did not care if he was African American or white. He still deserves to play baseball. The way I think sports change societies morality is that sports bring in fans and watching and not just playing sports will make an individual more happy and more enjoyable to be around. I think sports change an attitude of a person whether they place golf, or football. Now that african americans are accepted in all sports, it shows how well rounded sports have come over the years.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement, the Dodgers just threw Robinson into this whole different world that was not accepting of him, but he had thick skin and didn't let anyone tear him down. I also agree with your statement of fans changing the society morality, because if you think about it fans influence media, and what others see.
DeleteI completely agree with your reasoning of sports changing societies morality. Sports do make individuals more happy because they thoroughly enjoy the sport, whether they are playing or watching.
DeleteA. I was really moved by Jackie Robinson's courage and attitude throughout the film, even though he was constantly being ridiculed. He never seemed to give into the racial taunts, he simply just kept his strength and played ball. Since Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play in the MLB, this film connects to sports very well. The way Jackie Robison was treated in and outside of the sport was completely unethical. The use of the "N" word was a key point to why it was unethical. In my opinion, Jackie Robinson is a huge reason that today, all African Americans are able to play professional baseball.
ReplyDeleteIt was really influential how Robinson had thick skin throughout the entire film. He did not care what others thought, because he knew who he was and he had enough respect for himself.
DeleteI totally agree with your statement that Jackie Robinson is a huge reason that all African Americans are able to play professional baseball.
DeleteJackie Robinson is the reason African Americans can play sports and will forever be the man who had the courage persevere.
DeleteI agree 100% what you have said about Jackie Robinson, he did something a lot of people wouldn't do. Jackie is the reason African Americans can play sports and not get treated poorly. Everyone has a fair advantage/disadvantage in any sports game.
DeleteB. I think sport did have internal morality because the coach of the Dodgers gave him a chance to play on the team, also, most of Jackie's teammates gave him respect and trust. However, sport did not have internal morality because the other teams and fans did not show Jackie and respect, in fact, they even made death threats to him. I think baseball was racially integrated because it was morally correct, and because it was a good way for the coaches to make money. I believe sports can change society's morality. Many people, white and black, were touched by Jackie Robinson having the courage to play baseball, even though he was racially terrorized.
ReplyDeleteA. I personally enjoyed the film 42. Jackie Robinson was not only an inspiration to the African American race, but to any individual that faces adversity in sport and life in general. 42 Connects with sports and ethics for one, it is a movie on baseball and the first African American to plan professional ball. The movie deals with ethics on regards to how Jackie is treated by players, coaches, officials, and fans. They constantly try to beat him down with slander, and racism. Due to Jackie Robinson confidence and courageous attitude, he was able to help build a bridge in allowing African Americans into professional sports, and thus leading towards equal rights
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point that Jackie had enough self confidence to ignore the racist comments
DeleteA. In the time frame that the movie 42 was based off of, America was full of segregation. An African American couldn't even eat at the same restaurant as a white person. As for sports, no African American man ever thought of going in the major leagues, he would have never thought it was possible. We all know that in today’s society, there is no discrimination in sports. Until the day that Jackie Robinson was playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He is truly inspirational to all different races. He was a strong man who played baseball because he loved the sport, not because he wanted the fame and fortune. He wanted to change the way America viewed African Americans in the major leagues. He succeeded, he was one of the major contributors in changing the way everyone views on African Americans. Jackie Robinson took a lot of verbal abuse from his team mates, coaches, fans, and competitors. Any man that can take that much abuse, and not cause any physical altercations is a strong willed man. He didn’t have to prove anything to anyone, he knew who he was and that’s all that mattered to him.
ReplyDeleteI agree with out great of an inspiration Jackie was to African Americans. He shows strength and hope and whatever he sets his mind to can be accomplished.
DeleteB. I feel that the answer on regards to morality is yes and no. At first, the dodgers allowing Jackie to play was nothing more than a tactic to make more money and spice things up a little. He was not treated as fair as the others by the coaches and his fellow teammates. That being said, upon getting to know the real Jackie Robinson, they started to change their perspective on him. They saw him as a player, friend, teammate, and human being. Jackie let his success speak for itself, which ultimately led to the adding of more African Americans into the sport.
ReplyDeleteB. I believe that sport does have internal morality, but it also doesn't. I say that it does have internal morality because the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers did allow Jackie Robinson on the team, not because he wanted to be different, rather because he wanted a good player on his team, no matter the race. I say that sport does not have internal morality because Robinson did face many hardships while playing, he was not treated like the other white ball players. He was harassed and abused, only because of his skin color, not because of his ability to play. I believe that sport can change the views of society. We saw this happen when we watched the movie, African American ball players were not allowed to play in the major leagues, because the white players would not allow it. Since Robinson played, society became more accepting of different races playing in major league sports.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Jackie had an impact on society accepting different races playing in the major leagues.
DeleteI agree with your statement that sports has an internal morality. Jackie had such an impact to accepting all the mean comments that was made and gave everyone no matter what race you are an equal advantage in playing in the Major Leagues..
DeleteA. Jackie Robinson, in my opinion, is the most courageous athlete to date. It obvious he is one of the most respected athletes of any sport because his number was valued so much that every MLB organization retired it in their stadium. Like many of my classmates have already talked about in their posts, Jackie Robinson faced segregation and racism head on. People were ruthless to him and his family, just like they were to many other African American families. I can't even begin to understand how he kept pushing forward after facing such prejudice actions. Jackie Robinson was the first example in sport that truly the best player will play no matter his color or any other factors.
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with he was the most courageous athlete to date. He didn't care what others thought so he could play the sport he loved.
DeleteI agree that Jackie was the first example to show that the best player will play no matter his color or any other factors.
DeleteA. I really enjoyed the film 42. Jackie Robinson was truly an inspiration. Even though he was treated vey poorly from fans, his coaches, and pretty much everyone in general, he still had the courage to stick up for himself and also his family. This film relates to sports in the manner that he was in fact the first African American to play on a Major League Baseball team. The ethics in the film were shown through the verbal and physical tormenting that he had to face throughout his time as a Major League ball player. No matter what was thrown at him, he dealt with it with strength and respect. He wanted to make a difference no matter what he had to go through, and that's exactly what he did.
ReplyDeleteB. In my opinion, sport can and cannot have an internal morality. The reason that it does have an internal morality is because, like a few others have mentioned, the manager of the Dodgers gave Robinson a chance and let him on the team. They didn't care about his race, they knew he was a good ball player so they wanted him on their team. The reason it doesn't have an internal morality is because he was treated so horribly by not only the fans and general public, but his own teammates. I recall that once Robinson joined the team, some of his teammates drew up a petition to get Robinson unable to play on their team. No one had faith in him, they all doubted his abilities, and in general just didn't want a black man on their team. In my opinion I believe baseball was racially integrated because of a combination of it being the right thing to do, it helped make owners money, and because Jackie was such a good player. I truly believe sports can change society's morality. I mean it already has changed for the better, compared to how it began.
ReplyDeleteI agree and disagree with the statement that "They didn't care about his race" because it was tough for Robinson at first, the only person that had faith in him on the team was the manger. He had to earn respect from the rest of the team by showing that he was a great ball player.
DeleteI also agree that sport can and cannot have an internal morality. In the film, it goes both ways.
DeleteI agree that nobody had faith in him, but his abilities came to show in the end on how great of an athlete he really was.
ReplyDeleteI agree to this statement and how at the end of it all it wasn't his skin that made them all different, it was skill.
DeleteA. I thought the movie was pretty good and really factual, it really showed what time times were like back then and how racism was so predominate back then. It really inspired to see what Jackie Robinson meant to this country. He really broke the color barrier at the time whites were on one side and black the other he is a true role model not just for African Americans, but for people of all races, and he did something most people in the world couldn't.
ReplyDeleteB. All sports have an internal morality, and I could see where what the Dodgers did could be considered cheating. They took a player with an insane amount of skill, and played him at a time where it was frowned upon to do so. I feel like the main reason he was integrated into the game was due to his absurd skill level, but in my opinion that just speaks more to Robinson's character knowing that the reason they wanted him wasn't to integrate the game, but because of his talents. He used this as his advantage, and used the opportunity to integrate the game the right way.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about Jackies talents. They didn't want him in the league because of his race but more importantly because of his skill level.
DeleteA. Jackie Robinson is an iconic baseball player and has been admired for his courage. To this day Jackie is praised in baseball and is honored with the retirement of his number, 42. Also in April, every player on the field for whatever team it is wears the number 42 to honor him.
ReplyDeleteB. I think sports touches each individual in a specific way that can change an entire community. Obviously looking back the Dodgers did the right thing and broke societies walls to take a leap in the right direction. But back then, they were criticized for it and through their toughness and bravery they succeeded to make our society better in all aspects, not just baseball.
A. Jackie Robinson had the courage to step up and not be brought down by the whites that treated him poorly. This movie film was very interesting to watch how blacks were treated so poorly back then.... Robinson had to earn respect from his teammates and this goes to show how strong he is by taking all the disgusting comments and physical tormenting going on. He has enough respect and passion for the game he keeps living his dream.
ReplyDeleteB. I could see why people think the Dodgers could of cheated, Robinson had such great skill it benefitted the team enormously (other teams did not have this talent). All sports have some type of internal morality. Our society got way better in all aspects of sports from the toughness that was a success from the Dodgers/Robinson.