And Here’s To You, Mister Robinson…

April 15, 1947; 65 years ago…

A white General Manager, Branch Rickey,
gave a black baseball player, Jackie Robinson,
his chance to play in the Major Leagues.

    It has changed the face of baseball.
    It has expanded, and deepened, freedom in America.
    It has lit a light for the world.

We all may be somewhat prejudiced; we’re human!However, most of us believe…
that, in America, all people should be free
and able to pursue the American dream.
And that, in America, we are all responsible
(as members of a citizen-government)to help ensure our freedoms—
    Freedom to live in dignity and in peace;
    regardless of differences, and, now,
    learning to honor those differences.

I discovered Jackie Robinson when I was a young boy.
I idolized famous and popular baseball players.
When I became a young adult,
I watched him fight for all people’s rights.
    He became a role model—
    a man of integrity and courage, to be emulated.

I’m 63.
He is still my role model.
He was a man of character in a difficult and changing society.
I am reminded of that today—

    On Jackie Robinson Day in Major League Baseball,
    when all major leaguers wear the #42 in his honor,
    Food4Thought salutes this irreplaceable human being,
    Jackie Robinson.

Let’s continue, in his spirit, to enhance the American dream—
    by being just a little more tolerant;
    a little more accepting of others;
    a little more willing to honor the differences between us.

As Jackie Robinson said, many times—
“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”

And here’s to you, Mister Robinson.
You had an impact on me.

Let’s all have a greater impact.