Courage and perseverance are two necessary traits when one encounters trials and persecutions in life.
Courage gives a person the strength to enter into a trying and painful situation and attempt to transform it. Perseverance is the equally necessary quality that allows a person to continue striving to carry difficult tasks to their conclusion.
One hero in American life is Jackie Robinson. Mr. Robinson helped the United States begin to overcome its discriminatory past through his courageous life in sports and the pubic arena.
While much is known about his integration of major league baseball, much less is known about his private life. His daughter, Sharon Robinson, writes a compelling biography of her father and relates an important personal incident that taught the family the true meaning of courage. The name of this fine biography is "Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson."
In the late 1940s, the general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Branch Rickey, approached Jackie Robinson about becoming the first African American player in the major leagues. This was a culturally revolutionary offer that was filled with peril for Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers. Could racial hatred be overcome through the sport of baseball?
In the beginning of this experiment, Jackie Robinson faced terrible racial abuse. The hatred was so much that it would have broken a lesser man. But Robinson’s strength of character, courage and fortitude carried him through these awful times. Eventually, Robinson became admired and respected both as a person and as a baseball player in the United States.
After the Dodgers won the 1955 World Series, Robinson moved his family to a beautiful home in the country. The property was wooded and had a lovely lake. All of Jackie’s children swam in the lake with other youngsters in the neighborhood. When they beckoned Jackie to join them, he always waved but never entered the water to swim with the children.
When winter came, the lake would freeze completely over. Jackie’s children and those in the neighborhood would clamor for him to go ice skating with them. But Jackie was suspicious of the ice cracking. Despite his misgivings, he put on his winter coat and headed to the lake with the children. Cautioning them to wait on the shore, he walked out onto the ice. Suddenly there was a loud booming crack.
What caused the ice to crack? Can someone survive if he falls through the ice in the middle of winter? What did the author, Sharon Robinson learn about her dad that day?
Have you ever been frightened? What did you do to overcome your fears? What did Jackie do when the shattering noise occurred? To find out, go to the library and check out this fine biography, "Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson."
Jackie Robinson affected American culture in many ways. While his public life is well known, this attractively drawn portrait of his private life is very inspirational.
I hope you get a chance to read this book with your younger family members. I found the book moving and think you will as well. Enjoy!
