PAGE 14 PROGRAM SUCCESS – SPRING 2013
Dr . Mary McLeod Bethune and Jackie Robinson … A Legacy Shown Through Film
By Dominique D . Barrs
When Bethune-Cookman University buys out the entire movie theatre , to preview a movie prior to its release date , you know that the event is worth attending . Sure enough , at 10:00 pm as the theatre fills , you can feel history in the making . The Athletics Department held a special screening of the movie , “ 42 .”
Inside the theatre were athletes and students from all walks of life . Together , they were the integrated Baseball team that wins the MEAC title every year , they were the Bowling teams , they were the teams of Men and Women ’ s Basketball . Also in attendance were the Coaches from each team , which cooperate with one another to obtain their common goal , which is to inspire greatness .
Mary McLeod Bethune , Jackie Robinson Film Legacy Dominique D . Barrs Betune Cookman University Journalism , Valerie Whitney Mass Communication Daytona Beach , Florida Spring 2013
Before the movie began , community leaders from Jackie Robinson ’ s era elaborated on times in 1946 . One speaker that stood out was a B-CU alumnus , a white male , who reminisced on the history of the school in B-CU sports .
The movie begins . As we watched , we were reminded of the times when the level of hatred towards another individual was based solely on their skin tone , and not their actions . We were able to witness how some cities in the West saw no color , and how cities in the South literally spelled colored on everything . Jackie Robinson was the first baseball player to play Major League Baseball . His path to the top was never easy , but he reached the top due to his resistance to allowing others to hinder him from his goal .
Having been raised in Daytona Beach , it was nice seeing your town portrayed in a movie . New Yorkers are used to the fame of having their streets as the location of movies since the start of motion picturres . However , it was a blessing to see our city on the map being the venue to host Spring Training for a Major League Baseball team , and because of one of its leaders , Dr . Mary McLeod Bethune .