Jackie Robinson

"Your tears do not wash away your sorrows. They feed someone else's joy.  And that is why you must learn to swallow your tears." The above words of renowned American author Amy Tan describe the struggles and mindset of Jackie Robinson, an American baseball legend. Despite his many achievements and accomplishments in life, Jackie Robinson is widely famous for being the first African American man to play Major League Baseball. "Jackie Robinsons was the first American baseball player to play in the major leagues. Most historians agree he had more influence on the integration of sports than did any other athlete" ("Robinson, Jackie"). During the mid-1940 in which Jackie Robinson had lived, racial segregation was still an imminent issue plaguing society, and no colored man had yet broken the color barrier in the landscape of baseball on the professional level. Through a culmination of hard work, determination and selflessness, Jackie Robinson would be the first to do so. Jackie Robinson's determination in overcoming hardships and adversity he faced towards his own kind, and his selflessness in putting the needs of others before those of his own lead him to become an inspiration to countless people.

The culmination of Jackie Robinson's many heroic traits, including his determination and courage in the face of adversity and his selflessness allow him to be a great role model. Concurrent to many other claims, Jackie Robinson is arguably one of the most influential athletic figures of the century. "Most historians agree he had more influence on the integration of sports than did any other athlete." (" Robinson, Jackie") As suggested, Robinson's values, morals and outstanding character traits reflect upon young athletes today and influence. Many strive to be like Robinson. The legacy he had left behind is one that motivates innumerable people to follow. His soft spoken yet perseverant nature is one many model themselves after. His determination in integrating racial harmony within baseball not only changed the face of baseball, but also shed respect for him, as people would later come to recognize him and his race. "Jackie Robinson occupies a unique place in the history of American sport and society. A sportscaster once noted that while Robinson may not have been the best baseball player ever to put on a uniform, he may have been the most important." ("Jackie Robinson with Ben Chapman") Jackie's fight helped change the history of America's biggest past time. Through his strife, he would eventually come to inspire many to this date and instigate many to follow the paths of his valiant journey in achieving history. 

The courage and determination with which Jackie Robinson faces his problems, not to mention his selflessness instigate countless people to consider him a hero. It is his innumerable heroic individualities that encourage people to be good, strong, and perseverant as well as to aspire to achieve greatness. Robinson's perseverance in approaching challenging situations led him to the long ascension from the bottom to the best of the best. If it were not for his personae, no one would ever have been a hero such as him. Through forging through the troubles of tragedy and his need to fight for others, he changed the face of baseball through racial amalgamation and made a big change in the fight against racial segregation. Robinson inspires many people of all ages through America and the world. He has taught many to fight through even the hardest of troubles, the most impossible situations, and that there is always something to fight for regardless of how hopeless the cause may seem. He also motivates people to put the needs before their own, as well as the value of self-sacrifice, traits prevalent in many heroes.

Robinson's determination in facing hardships and overcoming challenges led him in ascension from being the most despised player in the league to being a star which many people adored, looked up to and considered a role model. In the first few games of his professional career, Jackie Robinson faced numerous daunting situations, from racist crowds to racist teammates who opted for him to be taken off of the team roster. The immense fear and intimidation that he faced would have broken down any other man. As for Robinson, he only used his emotions and feelings as a motivator. "That first year, Robinson faced hateful crowds and opponents in a number of cities. Often this only spurred Robinson on. For example, at Syracuse, the opposing players threw a black cat on the field, yelling, 'Hey, Jackie, there's your cousin.' Robinson then hit a double and shouted to the Syracuse bench, 'I guess my cousin's pretty happy now.'" ("Jackie Robinson") Instead of venting his anger and feelings towards his crowds and opposing teams regarding his treatment, Robinson vented his anger into baseball. The more hardships he faced, the harder Robinson pushed himself. Through his self-control and determination, Robinson's gameplay was well-reflected. "...the southern crowd mercilessly booed him with 'a torrent of mass hatred,' as he later described it. In Montreal, on the other hand, Robinson, nicknamed the Dark Dasher for his base running skills, was made a star and a hero. When he made the game's winning hit in the last game of the 'little world series,' he was carried off the field by his teammates and had to run from an adoring crowd. One sportswriter noted that it was 'probably the only day in history that a black man ran from a white mob with love instead of lynching on its mind.'" ("Jackie Robinson") The strife and courage Robinson displayed against his hardships only further reflected his determination when faced with daunting scenarios. His determination would pay off, as many would come to find a new profound respect for him. Robinson would eventually transform from the most hated player to the most adored player in the league, thrilling millions with his athleticism and play making ability. The courage with which Robinson stood his ground for his beliefs inspires millions, and allowed him to be one of the most well-known and respected figures in the scope of modern sports history. Robinson's ability to outperform other athletes is largely attributed to his determination and ability to overcome adversity, not to mention his aptitude to keep his emotions in check and turning them into motivation.

Jackie Robinson's nature also reflects his selflessness, which with no doubt helped shaped him into the American sports legend he is recognized as today. Before pursuing a career in professional baseball, Jackie was also a letterman in many other sports. Notably, his best sport was football and his worst sport, ironically was baseball. "In 1938, at Pasadena Junior College, he broke the national community college record for the broad jump, previously set by his older brother, Mack Robinson, who himself had won a silver medal at the 1936 Olympics. In 1939, he entered UCLA, where he became the school's first letterman in four sports. Robinson's best sport was football; in 1941, he was named an All-American. That year, he dropped out of college to earn money for his family." ("Jackie Robinson")  It is clear that Robinson could have had a distinguished career in playing professional sport, as it was mentioned that football was indeed his best sport at the time. However, his selflessness made it so that he was willing to give up a prospective future in his best sport for the well-being of his family, a very tough decision to make. Robinson yet again demonstrates  his selflessness in later times, during which between the years of 1942-1944 he enlisted in the United States Army, serving in World War II. "In 1942 he enlisted in the Army and in 1943 was commissioned a second lieutenant. He served as a morale officer, and his opposition to racial discrimination led to a court-martial for insubordination, but he was acquitted."  (" Jack Roosevelt Robinson") Though Robinson never witnessed live combat during the time in which he served as second lieutenant, his actions still speak for themselves. Risking his life on the line of duty, Robinson's actions show how he was willing to put the well-being of the American people and society before that of his own. A most admirable trait, Robinson's selflessness led him to yet again fight against racism even within the ranks of the army. Even though Robinson was court-martialed and was eventually subjugated to honorable discharge, Robinson's regards for the rights of his race serves to honor him as a true hero. Jackie Robinson was an adamant believer in putting the needs of others before those of one self. Unknowingly, his selfless actions helped give rise and paved the road for him in becoming the legend that he is today.