Equanimity🧘

The story of Jackie Robinson

Anyone who knew Jackie Robinson as a young man probably would’ve never predicted that this problematic kid would become the first African American to play for the Major League Baseball (MLB), breaking the long standing color barrier right up until 1947.

It’s not like he wasn’t talented at all, but seeing Jackie as a professional athlete seemed unconceivable considering he didn’t demonstrated any of the qualities we associate with professional athletes.

As a teenager, Jackie repeatedly found himself in trouble, mostly regarding unfair racial treatment.

Let’s remember that we’re talking 1930’s USA, where Jim Crowism was alive and well and laws and policies enforced racial segregation against African Americans.

Whether it was fighting someone at college due to a racial slur, surreptitiously hitting another player with a basketball until he bled, being arrested for arguing against police or even held at gun point by one for fighting a man who insulted his friends, Jackie had a long history of getting into trouble.

Eventhough his behavior it’s not just understandable but reasonable, there’s a couple of situations which require self control, even if the right thing to do would be to act aggressively.

Aren’t there goals important enough for us to put up with it in order to achieve them?

Around that time, manager and owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers Branch Rickey, was scouting for someone to potentially become the first black player in baseball.

He knew a lot people who had the potential, yet many of them lacked the poise and self control required to succeed.

When Rickey offered Jackie the opportunity, he phrased his proposal in such a way that made it clear what he needed:

“I’m looking for a player with the guts not to fight back”

There were plenty of players Rickie could’ve gone with, but he was specifically looking for someone who’s ego wouldn’t block him from seeing the bigger picture.

To everyone’s surprise, Jackie assured him he would be able to handle it.

Throughout his career, Jackie faced far more than just slights from service staff or reticent players.

He faced a openly coordinated campaign designed to libel, boo, provoke and even kill him.

He was hit by more than seventy-two pitches and even risked hurting his Achiles tendon several times by aggresive oponents who deliberately aimed their spikes at him.

Yet, from the beginning to the end of his career, Jackie held to his unwritten pact, never giving into explosive anger - no matter how well deserved.

Jackie’s control was superhuman, as he once demonstrated by taking a picture with Ben Chapman, manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, in order to save that man’s job right after that same man used racial slurs repeatedly on him and telling him to “go back to the jungle” while playing a game.

Jackie Robinson said it was one of the most difficult things he had to endure, but he was willing to do so since he knew it was part of a bigger plan.

The power of restraint

Jackie’s path called on him to put aside his ego and any sense of fairness in order to have an impact on something far bigger than him.

Ultimately, Jackie Robinson set the path for future African American players to succeed in sports as well as being a key figure in the civil rights movement due to his courage and talent.

When we plan on doing something big and meaningful, it’s innevitable that we’ll subjected to unfair treatment and even downright sabotage.

It’s part of the game of life.

We may not agree with it, we may not like it, but still, we must accept it.

It’s always smarter to learn the rules and change our game than fight to change the game itself.

By controlling our ego, we’re better equiped for life’s hurdles as well as endure what we may in order to achieve that overarching goal.

Restraint is a difficult skill, but a critical one.