Jackie Robinson

Imagine being the first to do something, knowing that you were risking all you have, including your life, to accomplish your dreams. From a young age Jackie Robinson was constantly pushing the status quo. Robinson was born on January 31, 1919 in Cario, Georgia. His father soon abandoned him and his five brothers leaving his mother to care for them alone. They moved to Pasadena, an all-white city at the time, where he would eventually play baseball at UCLA as the only black player. He was then drafted into the Negro League on the Kansas City Monarchs. His unique skills on the field and his passion to have equal rights got him signed on the Dodgers to be the first African American to join Major League Baseball. Jackie Robinson persuaded others not only through his talent on the field but by his ability to be a good role model, his strength of courage, and his willingness to fight for what is right.

Jackie Robinson's ability to turn the other cheek, fight for his rights, and his determination are all reasons why he is a great role model. Jackie Robinson became a good role model by not only being a Hall of Fame baseball player, but by having an inspiring and strong character: "Dodgers in 1947, Robinson faced death threats, vulgar insults, and hate-filled fans, along with beanballs aimed at his head and sharp, shiny spikes at his face as opponents slid into his tag at second base. Despite the pressure, Robinson earned a reputation as a dead-solid ballplayer through his no-nonsense fielding, reliable line drives, and his mastery of the tricky steal of home. After baseball, Robinson committed his life to ensuring fairer chances for African-Americans" (Notable Sports Figures). He was a good role model for people, because he stood up for what he believed. And when others threatened him he would show them that skin doesn't mean anything. He did this not for his self, but so many more like him could follow his footsteps and play in the majors. He used his ability to turn the other cheek to prove that their racism would not stop him from playing: "In the early months of the season, bean balls, death threats, and rumors of a strike by opposing players swirled around Robinson. Through it all Robinson paraded his excellence. An electrifying fielder and base runner as well as an outstanding hitter, Robinson's assault on baseball's color line captured the imagination of both black and white Americans"(African-American Culture and History). Even when his life was threatened he pushed through and played great baseball not caring about what others thought of him. He knew that racism was unfair, so he made a change and dominated baseball while accomplishing a greater cause: standing up for everyone's rights. He had a great mentality, stood up for what was right, stayed brave, played smart, did not fight back with violence and used his skill, building his legacy as a good role model.

Jackie Robinson was able to be successful because he took that extra leap of faith to risk his life to do what he loved. He proved that he was courageous and that he was determined right when he joined Major League Baseball: "When Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947, he was both hailed as a hero and vilified as a traitor. So much attention was paid to the color of his skin that it took the public a little while to realize the scope of his talents. When they did, it only increased the animosity of the men who were determined to keep America's national pastime an all-white bastion. But with his quiet dignity and brilliant athleticism, Robinson tore down the walls of bigotry, forever changing the course of American sports" (Contemporary Black Biography). He had the courage to stand up for his rights, even when he was scared and didn't know if he was going to make it to tomorrow. He joined Major League Baseball (MLB) knowing that he would be attacked physically and verbally, and that it would be the hardest thing he'd ever do, but he did it without hesitation because he had a goal. He knew that just being good at baseball wouldn't win his people rights, so he continued fighting: "Robinson remained a hero because he never quit fighting, even after he'd won the baseball battle." (Notable Sports Figures). This shows how brave and courageous Robinson was, because he fought through the mental and physical pain to prove that he could be just as good as anyone else. He used bravery and limitless courage by breaking the color barrier and playing baseball regardless of the death threats everywhere he went. Jackie Robinson was a great person and a great baseball player because he had the courage to stand up to racism and do it fearlessly.

Jackie was the best possible person to be the first African-American to play in MLB because he was willing to fearlessly face the challenge to stand up for what was right. Jackie Robinson was fighting two wars when he signed with the Dodgers: "When Robinson cracked baseball's color line in 1947, he also cracked open the United States and helped catapult the Civil Rights movement" (Notable Sports Figures). He would stand up for blacks' rights even though a lot of people would hate him; he knew it was the right thing to do. Jackie Robinson knew what he had to do to get what he wanted the most, equality. He used his talent to do his speaking when others used hate and violence. Robinson knew that he wasn't going to be able to just walk in to MLB so, "Jackie Robinson always went his own way, answering to his own instincts and refusing to be swayed by those who objected to his choices. He never took for granted his role as a trailblazer in the integration of sports and the opening of opportunities for blacks in the United States" (Contemporary Black Biography). He didn't care what others thought of his choices, he just did what he thought was right. He stood up against segregation in baseball and showed the world that skin doesn't matter. Not only did Jackie stand up for fair rights in baseball but he opened up new opportunities in all of America.

Jackie Robinson influenced America not only through his athletic abilities, but through his strong character and his determination. In a time when race determined your social standing, he inspired the youth of America to pursue their dreams with hard work and dedication, regardless of your ethnicity. He became a hero because he could relate to everyone and inspired others to follow in his footsteps. Jackie Robinson is an inspiration and hero, because he was an amazing baseball player, civil rights leader and a great role model. Robinson inspires me to not give up, even when faced with adversity, as long as I use great courage, determination and hard work. Jackie Robinson influenced me to be the bigger person when others try to bring me down with hate and violence and instead use my talents for a good cause. He broke the color line in baseball and opened the door for everything else. Jackie Robinson did all of this with great braveness, courage, and compassion. Jackie Robinson knew that racism was wrong and by standing up for what was right, he changed America.

Works Cited

"Jackie Robinson." Contemporary Black Biography. Vol. 6. Detroit: Gale, 1994.Biography in Context. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.

"Jackie Robinson." Notable Sports Figures. Ed. Dana R. Barnes. Detroit: Gale, 2004.Biography in Context. Web. 17 Mar. 2014.

"Jackie Robinson." St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture. Ed. Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast. Detroit: St. James Press, 2000. Biography in Context. Web. 2 Apr. 2014.

Tygiel, Jules. "Jackie Robinson." Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History. Gale, 2006. Biography in Context. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.