Speak of the Week II

42 words to describe Jackie Robinson, from MLB.com.  Spoken on camera by a diverse group of New Yorkers.  I've highlighted the best and at the end, I'll add a few I think they really missed.

incredible
unstoppable
confident
brave
determined
legendary
courageous
fierce
fast
strong
leader
hero
hitter
husband
ground-breaking
historic
inspirational
risk-taker
revolutionary
unafraid
gutsy
undaunted
bold
extraordinary
lionhearted
intense
unflinching
cool
first
resilient
tenacious
successful
humble
magnificent
awesome
trailblazer
speedy
athletic
unshakable
willful
iconic
pioneer

There are a lot of synonyms for courage and tenacity in there.  Nothing wrong with that but I thought they missed a couple of important things that defined what we, the public, know and knew about Robinson. 

First, they missed "honourable".  He was a soldier and one of the rare breed of soldier who would disobey a dishonourable order.  He refused to be ordered to the back of a bus, was court-martialled and in the end exonerated by an all white panel of officers.  He also kept his word to Branch Rickey to not retaliate at all, regardless of provocation, for the first few years he was in the Majors.  I often think that of all his accomplishments, keeping that promise should be the one remembered as the most impressive.  The self-discipline required to keep his word under those circumstances is truly beyond my imagination.

"Dignified" should be there too.  No one in the history of humanity has carried more of a load under so much scrutiny and scorn with such grace.

No mention of "Father".  It's easy to forget that not only did he break barriers and remind an entire nation that all men are created equal, he was a more direct hero to his children.

"Friend".  Despite being the only black face in an at least initially hostile clubhouse, he won over team mates and opponents alike with his skill, talent and personality. 

I would also liked to have seen "forgiving" because without that part of him, he would not be the icon he is.  How in the name of all that is holy he ever could have forgiven the disgusting, malevolent, evil things that were said of and to him during his career I shall never know.  I certainly couldn't have.

Finally, I would have added one last word that might seem odd.  Branch Rickey was once asked by one of Robinson's own coaches if Rickey truly believed Robinson was "human".  That horrifically ignorant attitude could have easily turned Robinson into a bitter, vengeful reactionary but instead he showed those that held those beliefs what it truly means to be "human".  He was the best of all of us.

Hero is on the list.  I guess that really says it all.