Jackie Robinson

“I believe in the goodness of a free society. And I believe that society can remain good only as long as we are willing to fight for it—and to fight against whatever imperfections may exist”(Jackie Robinson). Throughout his life Jackie Robinson fought for what he though was right. Jackie Robinson, an African-American male, was born in Cairo, Georgia, in 1919 and went to college in Pasadena, California. He then settled down as an adult in New York, New York. When Jackie Robinson signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 he broke the color barrier in baseball, becoming the first African- American male to play baseball in the Major Leagues. In addition to breaking the color barrier in baseball, Robinson joined the N.A.A.C.P and dedicated himself to ending segregation. Robinson endured harsh racism, but he rose above the hatred and showed that the true measure of a person is his character not his skin color. Jackie Robinson deserves to be called a hero because of his courageous and influential acts, which changed sports forever.

Jackie Robinson signs major league contract (Google Images)

Many people seem to think Jackie Robinson was just a black baseball player that was famous and had no character, but they never really got to know him because he was courageous. The most courageous act Jackie has ever shown is when: “Professional sports was racially segregated- until August 28, 1945, when my father then a shortstop for the Kansas City Monarchs, a negro league team, signed an agreement that led to the breaking of baseball's infamous color line”(Sharon Robinson 16). This shows that Jackie Robinson was courageous, because sports were racially segregated but he changed that. Signing the agreement in many people’s minds changed sports forever. Not only did he make courageous acts in baseball, but in life too: “After retiring from baseball following the 1956 season, he enlisted in the civil rights struggle, working on behalf of the N.A.A.C.P and with Dr. King”(Goldstein). This proves that Robinson was much more than a baseball player. Robinson joining the N.A.A.C.P was huge because it was just another one of his key courageous acts in life. Jackie Robinson being courageous is exactly why he deserves to be a hero.

Jackie Robinson's hall of fame plaque (Google Images)

“ A life is not important, but for the impact it has on other lives”(Jackie Robinson). Jackie spoke his actions, he wanted to make an impact and he did. Robinson may have had more influence on the integration of sports than any other athlete in history: When he began playing with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, he broke the color line in professional baseball and paved the way for the entry of black players into all professional sports”(DISCovering Biography). He changed sports forever. Jackie opened up doors for other black athletes in different sports. Being influential came with being successful: “Cautioned to prove himself worthy because other black players’ futures depended on his success, Robinson maintained a subdued posture. He achieved stardom with the Dodgers in 1949 winning the National leagues batting championship and MVP award”(Voigt). This shows that he was successful on the diamond, winning a couple historic awards. He knew that he had pressure to succeed but still came through. Jackie was one of the most successful/influential baseball players to ever live.

Jackie Robinson deserves to be called a hero because of his courageous and influential acts, which changed sports forever. Robinson broke the color barrier because of his courageous and influential character. Robinson inspires me and others because integrating baseball was by no means easy, but changes of those magnitudes never are. It’s also difficult to calculate exactly how many people were affected by his entry into the majors. It may well have inspired change across other parts of American society. “Robinson’s arrival on the major-league scene in 1947 prompted a slew of racially motivated actions. Pitchers often threw the ball directly at Robinson, base runners tried to spike him, and he was subjected to a steady stream of racial insults. He received hate mail, death threats, and even warnings that his baby boy would be kidnapped” (Derks). Robinson did the right thing and kept his mouth shut even with all of this controversy. Robinson wanted peace but to get there he had to show many people what he was truly made of, courage and being influential. “I never cared about acceptance as much as I cared about respect” (Jackie Robinson). All Jackie wanted was some respect nothing more, nothing less, which is why he is so inspiring. Robinson did not judge anyone on what color their skin was, which is what he wanted people to do for him. It doesn’t matter if someone is black, brown, white, or even purple they are human too and they deserve to be treated equally.

"Robinson Jackie." Trincolll. trincoll.edu, 00/10/2000. Web. 14 May 2010. .

Derks, Scott, and Margo Horn. "Robinson, Jackie (1919-1972)." American Decades. Ed. McConnell, Tandy. Online ed. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. DEL NORTE HIGH SCHOOL. 30 Apr. 2010

Goldstein, Richard. "News." Jackie Robinson. N.p., 13/04/2007. Web. 14 May 2010 http://www.jackierobinson.com/about/viewheadline.php?id=369

Robinson, Jackie (1919-1972)." DISCovering Biography. Online ed. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. DEL NORTE HIGH SCHOOL. 23 Apr. 2010

Robinson, Sharon. NINE JACKIE'S. 1ST ED. 1. New York, New York: Scholastic Inc., 2001. 1-163. Print.

Voigt, David. "Robinson, Jack Roosevelt (1919-1972)." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Ed. Suzanne M. Bourgoin. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale Research, 1998. 17 vols.Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. DEL NORTE HIGH SCHOOL. 7 May. 2010