When I was in school, it was always a treat to have teachers show films and videos instead of having a regular class. Of course, they had to be educational. There were a few movies I watched in school that I thought were questionable, but it didn't matter. It was still nice to take a break from the daily lecture.
As a relatively unknown, yet gifted actor, early in his career, Chadwick Boseman had been selective in his roles and expressed concerns about playing stereotypical characters of African Americans. Playing Jackie Robinson in the biopic 42 with Harrison Ford was the perfect role, and it was the first movie I've ever seen with Boseman.
Jackie Robinson and his wife were from California, so it was a culture shock to see how Blacks were treated when they went to other parts of the country where racial segregation was rampant in the 1940s. Robinson overcame his oppressors and detractors and became a baseball legend, but it wasn't without enormous humiliation and emotional toll.
Premiering in 2013, 42 has almost a Disney-esque quality about it until you start seeing the reality of systemic racism in the film. Despite using the N-word for historical context, I consider 42 a family movie, and I think it should be shown in schools to give real-life perspectives on race issues.
Even today, there are still too many tone-deaf people lacking empathy when it comes to racial injustice, so I believe teaching/learning materials that mitigate ignorance and hate will help make the world a better place.
Like Jackie Robinson, Chadwick Boseman fought his own private battles. In 2016, Chadwick was diagnosed with cancer, and yet, he garnered the strength to complete several films, including for his iconic roles as Thurgood Marshall, King T'Challa, and Black Panther. At age 43, he left us too soon.
Like Jackie Robinson, Chadwick Boseman persevered in life and was living proof that not all heroes wear capes. May he rest in power and his legacy be everlasting.
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