Jackie Robinson

Jackie Roosevelt Robinson (http://tenprairiesticks.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/baseball_tout.jpg)

Every time he was up to bat, pitchers would flinch and he would make catchers nervous on the base paths. Jackie Robinson was the only one of his kind and opened doors for future generations to come through. Jackie Robinson was born on January 31, 1919 and lived to be fifty-three years old. He grew up in Georgia, and moved to California as a child. He was the first African American to join Major League Baseball and break the race barrier. Robinson would go on to strive and fight for his goals. Jackie Robinson showed his overcoming character when he was courageous and selfless enough to cross the threshold to become the first African American baseball player.

Jackie Signing His Contract (http://www.corbisimages.com/images/67/411B440A-3D85-4516-B588-0618E59B1B11/U1082475INP.jpg)

First of all, when Jackie Robinson was presented with an obstacle he persevered to achieve his goals. As Robinson was becoming integrated into the league many people accused him; “Many sports writers and team owners’ criticized Robinson signing saying integration would weaken the sport and destroy major league baseball. Robinson didn’t allow public pressure to detour him from his goals.” (Encyclopedia of US History) Robinson was criticized for just signing with the team. Knowing that people would think he would destroy the game of baseball must have been a very hard thing to hear. Although he was going through all this discrimination, he built his bravery and conquered these hardships. After Jackie Robinson joined the minor leagues there was much racism and discrimination; “Segregation laws made spring training difficult for Robinson, and he was forced to ride in the back of the bus more than once, and games were cancelled because of his participation. The injustice did nothing to prevent Robinson from leading the Royals to the championship in the Little World Series. Without a doubt, his talent was strong enough to take him to the major leagues.” (Biography.com) Even though he was on the team, he wasn’t treated as a teammate. Robinson was the only one like himself in this league. Having to struggle when he knew he was just the same as everyone else must have been the most unfair and frustrating obstacle he would ever face. Robinson did not dwell on what was going on in the present, but saw through it, and focused on where he would go in the future.

Jackie Stealing Home (http://artfiles.art.com/5/p/LRG/20/2023/SS54D00Z/nat-fein-jackie-robinson-stealing-home-may-18-1952.jpg)

Secondly, despite all the anger Robinson had towards his abusers and discriminatory teammates, he never took a violent approach to dealing with the situation at hand. Robinson was constantly tempted to fight back but he always found the strength to hold himself back. “He joined the all white Montreal Royals, a farm team for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945. He moved to Florida in 1946 to begin spring training with the Royals and played his first game March 17, 1946. He knew there were hard times ahead and made a promise to himself to not fight back when confronted with racism.” (Encyclopedia of US History) When Jackie was confronted by racism he was quiet and didn’t let it affect him. Jackie knew if he retaliated it would only make the situation worst. The feelings he experienced during this time of negativity could have left him cheated of opportunities but he strove to find any way to do the things he deserved. “After his retirement he became a successful business man and supporter of political causes, devoting many efforts in pursuit for a better life for African Americans.” (Encyclopedia of US History) Baseball was a stepping stone for Robinson to have credibility for his political causes and have people trust that he was actually trying to help the black community. He worked with many organizations and charities to ensure the progression of African Americans in US society. After Robinson’s athletic career he became the original symbol of hope for the African Americans.

Jackie Robinson YMCA (http://www.jackierobinsonymca.org)

In conclusion, Robinson was a fighter who endured much adversity during his professional athletic career, which helped establish himself as a hero to all cultures in the United States. Jackie Robinson unified the African American community and threw them into mainstream US culture. Jackie Robinson kicked down all doors that were previously established due to color of his skin through his endurance of emotional and physical abuse by racism and discrimination in the world of baseball.

Works Consulted

Encyclopedia of World Biography. Vol. 13. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2004. p207-208.

"Jackie Robinson." 2010. Biography.com. 14 May 2010. http://www.biography.com/articles/Jackie-Robinson-9460813.

Robinson, Jackie (1919-1972)." DIS Covering Biography. Online ed. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. DEL NORTE HIGH SCHOOL. 7 May. 2010

U*X*L Encyclopedia of U.S. History. Sonia Benson, Daniel E. Brannen, Jr., and Rebecca Valentine. Ed. Lawrence W. Baker and Sarah Hermsen. Vol. 7. Detroit: UXL, 2009. p1324-1327.