This month has been a challenge for me. For the first time I have celebrated a birthday and will celebrate Mother’s Day without my mom Phyllis King. My brother Tracy fondly called her the Queen. Happy Mother’s Day mom you are missed.
“I had to fight hard against loneliness, abuse, and the knowledge that any mistakes I made would be magnified because I was the only black man out there… I never cared about acceptance as much as I cared about respect.”
Jackie Robinson
When you walk the road to honoring dignity you will be presented with challenges. It’s not that the roadblocks were not always there. You just see them much clearer because your mindset is more focused. I have been hitting many roadblocks these past few months. I have been tested and sometimes I am successful and sometimes I have failed. It can be hard especially when you fail. You can become timid and reluctant to try. I always feared failure because I was always trying to prove I belonged. I thought failure gave those who did not believe in me the reason to say, “I told you so!” I am much stronger now and I know failure is a part of moving toward success. It is not easy, so I have to find ways to say strong and hold on to my dignity. I did this by learning from those who faced adversity but won because they held on to their dignity.
I am listening to the autobiography of Jackie Robinson “I Never Had It Made.” It tells the story of the first Black man to play major league baseball. As I learn his story, I am amazed at his strength not to respond to some of the worst of people. I was amazed at the strength of the Black people during that time who went to the games to hold their dignity and not respond to the racists who were saying the vilest words. It wasn’t that Jackie Robinson was weak. He wanted to respond but he couldn’t because he understood he would be blamed, and the door would close for other Black ballplayers. This had to be an unbelievable burden to carry because he had to be silent and prove that he was just as good as the white players.
As I listened to the story, I became angry. I thought to myself I could never have made it through five minutes, but Mr. Robinson stood tall, and he let his bat and glove speak for him. As more Black people came to the games, they let their strength show by not acting the way many of the White fans were. They supported Mr. Robinson by staying strong enough to hold their dignity. Because Jackie Robinson stayed strong it eventually gave other Black players the opportunity to have a voice. Mr. Robinson became a strong voice in the NAACP and the Civil Rights Movement. He was the pillar of strength and a true dignity warrior. His story is another brick on the wall of dignity I continue to build.
It becomes important for me to honor the trails that were blazed before me by some amazing people. I do that by treating myself and others with dignity. Dignity is the equalizer. I may not understand your experience, but I do understand when dignity is violated. I do understand right from wrong. My goal is to help people with fractured dignities move towards regaining their dignity again. It is why I write this blog and it is why I do the work I do.
If I can be ½ of, what Jackie Robinson was I know I can make a difference.
“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”
Jackie Robinson
Charles Redd RN
Dignity Freedom Fighter
Dignity Freedom Fighter 