An Honor

It was an honor to sit in a cold drizzle and salute Jackie Robinson at Yankee Stadium. His memory has always been an inspiration and thoughts of him and Martin Luther King and Cesar Chavez have comforted me through many justice marches and protests.

Robinson has always held a place of honor in the Bronx despite being a Dodger. His official spot was carved out with a plaque in Monument Park:

Jackie Robinson

42

Uniform number retired throughout baseball: 1997.

In becoming the first Major League player to break the color
barrier, Jackie will forever be an inspiration with his grace, dignity and perseverance. His story and the stories of those who never had the same opportunity must never be forgotten.

The Yankees donated $1 million to The Jackie Robinson Foundation.

The video tribute before the game was especially moving. Dozens of players said, “Thank you, Jackie Robinson.” And dozens more said, “I am Jackie Robinson.”

It’s an honor to say both.

The only thing I can add is “Thank you, Rachel Robinson” for never letting this country forget how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go.