How do you build community?
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On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson made history by playing baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was the first African-American to play in the modern major leagues, breaking the long-held gentlemen’s agreement that promoted segregation. On that date, Jackie played first base, which basically means he was a catch partner for the entire Dodger infield.
Jackie’s work, on and off the field, changed the country.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said Jackie “was a sit-inner before the sit-ins, a freedom rider before the Freedom Rides…Jackie Robinson made my success possible. Without him, I would never have been able to do what I did.”
I use one of Jackie’s quotes often when mentoring students:
A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.
To me, this is a quote about building meaningful community. And the true power of this quote comes from the fact that, even though he was on a team, Jackie was alone as he was taunted, thrown at, and endured verbal and physical abuse in most every game he played that first season.
His consistent courage and risky resilience shaped those around him to seeing his humanity, not just the color of his skin.
There is a second quote from Jackie I use with my mentees:
Life is not a spectator sport. If you’re going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion, you’re wasting your life.
Being human, building community, is when real people do real things in real time with each other. Building community is relational, embodied, stepping into the arena where the results are anything but guaranteed.
This year, on the day MLB recognizes Jackie Robinson Day, I will be celebrating Jackie’s work by building community through playing catch.
Consider this your formal invitation to join the grassroots movement of play, connection, whimsy, and wonder.
On April 15, starting at 4:42, play catch for just 5 minutes as a token of appreciation to who Jackie was and his lasting impact on our culture.
The starting time is a tribute to Jackie’s number with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Read it, “For #42.”
Five minutes is a tribute to Jackie’s number with the Kansas City Monarchs, the team Jackie played on in the Negro Leagues.
After playing catch, take a selfie with your catch partner(s) and post it, saying “Thank you, Jackie.” Tag it with #Catch42.
Play catch wherever you are, with whomever is near you. You don’t have to go someplace special. But, if you want to organize a community game of catch, that would be awesome, too.
Community is built where you live your life.
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How do you build community?
One game of catch at a time.
