42 Viewing Guide Directions: As you are watching the film, go through the questions on the front and back of this page. Jot down notes the answer each question. TWO of these questions will appear as short answers on the Civil Rights Era Test!

• Discuss the impact Jackie Robinson had on professional sports.

• Does racism still exist? Discuss ways that racism still exists in our society and in athletics. How has it changed? How has it stayed the same?

• Dodgers owner Rickey also is quoted as saying the only color that matters is green, the color of money. Discuss Rickey’s motive in bringing Jackie Robinson into his organization. Was it a business decision or did he have higher motives? Do you think that all decisions are ultimately business decisions? Discuss.

• At one point Jackie says “I’m just a ball player” to which he is told “you are a hero.” Discuss these two statements and how society often puts responsibility on individuals who may or may not be ready for such responsibility.

• Can you think of specific situations in the film where someone stepped up even if it meant them being ostracized?
• On several occasions you hear players saying that blacks don’t belong in baseball and this is not the America they knew. What do you think prompts this sort of mindset?

• Can you think of events during the Civil Rights Era where a similar mindset is still in place? How do you fight such a mindset?

• Jackie asks Rickey “you want a player who doesn’t have the guts to fight back?” to which Rickey says “No. I want a player who’s got the guts not to fight back.” What does Rickey mean by this?