I guess you'd call me an independent, since I've never identified

Listen closely, O children of the future, for the words of Jackie Robinson, a man whose life was marked not only by athletic greatness but by a deep sense of integrity and independence: "I guess you'd call me an independent, since I've never identified myself with one party or another in politics. I always decide my vote by taking as careful a look as I can at the actual candidates and issues themselves, no matter what the party label." These words are more than a simple declaration of political preference; they are a call to think beyond the constraints of labels and ideologies, to embrace the power of personal discernment and the responsibility that comes with casting a vote.

In the realm of politics, party labels often come to define individuals, limiting the choices they make, shaping their beliefs, and forcing them into rigid boxes. But Robinson, with the wisdom of one who has seen both the challenges of race and the limitations of societal systems, chose to reject these constraints. He refused to align himself with any single political ideology or party, and instead, he embraced the power of independence. His decision to evaluate candidates and issues based on their merits rather than their party affiliation speaks to a deeper truth: that true freedom and integrity lie not in blind allegiance to a party, but in the ability to make choices based on what is right, not what is expected.

Consider, O children, the story of Socrates, the philosopher who rejected the conventional wisdom of his time. He was not bound by the philosophies of his peers, nor was he swayed by the popular opinions of the Athenian society in which he lived. Socrates believed in questioning everything, in seeking the truth not through the authority of others, but through his own reasoning and independence of thought. When the people of Athens tried to force him into the mold of popular opinion, he refused to conform. He sought the truth with a fierce commitment to intellectual independence, and in doing so, he became a hero not just of philosophy, but of freedom of thought. Like Socrates, Jackie Robinson saw the dangers of blind allegiance and instead chose the independence of making decisions based on reason, evidence, and moral clarity.

In the realm of sports, Jackie Robinson was also a revolutionary figure—one who broke barriers not just with his performance on the field, but with the very way he lived his life. When he became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball, he faced not only the challenges of physical competition but the deep racism and hatred that sought to diminish him as a human being. But Robinson did not respond with bitterness or hatred; he stood tall with dignity and courage. Similarly, in the realm of politics, he understood that true independence meant rejecting the easy comforts of affiliation in favor of the harder, more honorable path of making decisions for oneself. His life serves as a beacon to those who would follow—reminding us that independence is not just about rejecting systems; it is about thinking critically and acting with integrity.

So, O children, what can we learn from the life of Jackie Robinson? The lesson is one of great power and responsibility: true independence comes not from refusing to engage with the world, but from engaging in a manner that reflects one’s own moral compass, free from the constraints of external influence. Robinson teaches us that to be independent is not to act in isolation, but to make decisions based on reason, justice, and a clear vision of what is right. His approach to politics—where he carefully weighed each candidate and issue—reminds us that the power of the vote is sacred, and that it is our responsibility to make choices that align with our personal beliefs and values, not just with the expectations of others.

Let us also remember the example of Abraham Lincoln, who, though a member of the Republican Party, often acted according to what he believed was right, even when it went against the political winds of the time. In his decision to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, he demonstrated independence of thought, putting the freedom of millions above political considerations. Like Robinson, Lincoln was willing to make difficult decisions that went beyond mere party lines, choosing instead to act according to his conscience and a greater moral truth. In both politics and in life, Lincoln reminds us that true leadership comes from the ability to rise above party loyalty and act with the integrity of one’s own values.

Thus, O children, let us take the wisdom of Jackie Robinson into our own lives. In our decisions, whether in politics or in daily affairs, let us strive for independence of thought, rejecting the limitations of external pressures and instead choosing the path of reason, integrity, and moral clarity. Let us not fall prey to the easy comforts of blind loyalty, but engage with the world with the courage to make decisions based on our own beliefs, with the freedom to think for ourselves. In this, we will find not only true freedom but the power to shape our world in ways that honor the dignity of all.