Peewee Reese
Father Bob White
The year was 1947. It was April 17th, the opening home game for the old Boston Braves. The Braves were hosting their old rivals the Brooklyn Dodgers. When the Dodgers took to the field that day a player new to the team took at his position at first base. But as he did one of the fans in the stands started heckling him. You see the new player on the team was a black man, the first in the league and the fan didn’t like it. So, the fan started heckling the player. And like can happen with a jeering crowd, others soon joined in. Soon the whole stadium was engulfed in a chorus of booing and name calling. Then it happened. The Dodger shortstop trotted over to his teammate who was the target of the booing and embraced him and held him tight. The booing then got even louder. But the shortstop wouldn’t let go of his teammate. It soon was apparent that he would not let him go until the booing stopped. After a time, it eventually did. A quiet settled over the stadium as if to say, “What the heck just happened? By the way, in case you were wondering, the Dodgers won the game that day game 4 to 2. The first baseman was Jackie Robinson, the first black player in the majors. The shortstop who embraced Robison was Peewee Reese. Though not a man of tall statue, as his name would indicate, Peewee Reese stood tall that day. His simple gesture of solidarity reminded America of what we each must do if the divide between white and black America is ever going to heal. That was the day that the divide in America revealed itself for what it is. It also was the day that America was shown what is needed for healing to occur. We humans tend to fear those we don’t know or understand. But if we can come to know each other like Peewee Resse and Jackie Robinson did it’s a start. Can you and I have the compassion and courage of a Peewee Reese and a Jackie Robinson? Only when we do will there be healing for all. That’s what the true disciple of Jesus is called to do, to embrace all as a brother or sister, no matter what the color of their skin. To embrace all as a brother or sister, even those whose lifestyle we see as wrong. In Mt. 13 Jesus makes it clear. “Whover does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Maybe that is our cross we’re called to carry, to embrace all, even those different than us. So, let that be the cup of cold water we give for the healing of the divide between black and white America and all the many other divides that exist between us. Let that be the cup of cold water we give for the healing of America and for our cities, for healing within our own families, for healing within our own church, and wherever it is that people struggle to come together without suspicion or animosity. Happy 4th of July everyone and enjoy the fireworks.
