...Jackie Robinson, Why Him? The story of Jackie Robinson has become one of America's most iconic and inspiring stories. Since 1947, American history has portrayed Jackie Robinson as a hero, and he has been idolized as a role model to the African American baseball community. It is an unarguable fact that he was the first to tear down the color barriers within professional baseball. The topic of Robinson’s role in integration has long been a point of discussion amongst baseball historians. Researchers have accumulated thousands of accredited documents and interviews with friends and team mates such as short stop, Pee Wee Reese, and team owner, Branch Rickey. However, few journalists have asked why Robinson was selected and what was Branch Rickey’s motivation? While Robinson was the first Negro player to break into the ranks of professional baseball, it can be argued that he was not the first to attempt the undertaking. In actuality, Jackie possibly was not even the first player the Brooklyn Dodgers’ organization considered for the job. The Warner Brothers film, 42, The Jackie Robinson Story (2013), highlights the accomplishments of Jackie and rightfully so, as he was an amazing man. The story actually starts prior to 1947 and ends years later in 1959, three years after his retirement in 1956. Early in his career at Ohio Wesleyan University, where Branch Rickey played and coached baseball, an incident occurred with one of his young black players, Charlie Thomas, which...
Words: 5176 - Pages: 21
...Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first African American Baseball player to play in the major leagues in the modern era. Despite obvious struggles such as race, social class, and the absence of his father, he managed to turn himself into an African American Icon throughout his era. Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia. He was the youngest of five children born to Mallie and Jerry Robinson. His parents gave him his middle name after Theodore Roosevelt, who passed away only twenty-five days before Jackie’s birth. When Robinson was only 6 months his father decided to leave them. After the fact, Mallie decided it was time to move to Pasadena, California. Jackie was a great athlete who played many sports besides baseball. He participated in Football, Basketball and Track....
Words: 1313 - Pages: 6
...The Life of Jackie Robinson “ Many people resented my impatience and honesty, but I never cared about acceptance as much as I cared about myself ”- Jackie Robinson , who was born on January 31st in Cairo, Georgia. He was the youngest of five children, and his middle name in honor of Theodore Roosevelt former president who had died 25 days before he was born. His family moved to Pasadena, California after their father left them and they grew up in relative poverty. Jackie Robinson is one of the best and most important player that ever played the game of baseball, he was also the first African american to play the game. Not only did he play baseball, but he played football and was a track star in college. He also served in the military for a while. Robinson Attended John Muir high school after graduating, he went to Pasadena Junior college, where he was an excellent athlete. He played four sports including running back in...
Words: 894 - Pages: 4
...A Man Who Changed Major League Baseball Forever: Robinson was a role model for all, for he had a rough life and never gave up.Robinson is the son of Mallie Robinson and had four siblings. He grew up being a member of the only African-American family on the block.In high school he excelled quickly in sports. He played the following sports: baseball, basketball, football, and track. Due to financial issues, he was forced to leave college early. Later he decided to enlist in the U.S. Army,but after two years he had to leave due to racial discrimination”Biography.” Later in Robinson's life,he played in the Negro Baseball League; he was a player for the Kansas City Monarchs.His career took a turn in 1947 when Branch Rickey, the president of the Brooklyn Dodgers, approached Robinson about joining the Brooklyn...
Words: 676 - Pages: 3
...already knew some of Jackie Robinson’s history, but I was still moved by this revealing depiction of his life during the years 1945-1947. This true story, which was released April 12, 2013, followed what I had learned about Jackie and stayed accurate while still being extremely entertaining. Jackie Robinson’s number on his jersey was 42, he wore that number his entire Major League career with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The movie “42” is a biopic of the legendary baseball player Jackie Robinson, when in 1947 Jackie became the first African-American player to break Major League Baseball’s color barrier. The great directing, acting, and writing made this film enjoyable to watch. This well-made movie primarily tells the story of Jackie Robinson under the direction of his general manager Branch Rickey, while showing us Jackie’s battles with racism and a classic love story. “42” is a snapshot in the life of Jackie Robinson, which allows the movie to run at a nice pace. As Bernard Beck points out, in The Dark Knight Rises: In 42 Jackie Robinson Saves The American Dream, “Our attention is not fixed on how he became a great player, on how he succeeded in his career after that first year, or how they built a family. We are shown the great pressure they were under and that they handled it” (89). The movie starts out in 1946, when Branch Rickey the legendary general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers decides that he is going to bring a Negro to play for the team, breaking Major League Baseball’s notorious...
Words: 1931 - Pages: 8
...“A life is not important except in the impact it has on another's life.” Jackie Robinson said this in reference to helping people overcome challenges and struggles that they would not be able to overcome by themselves. Robinson was a strong, determined, and rebellious athlete as well as a great representative of the sports world. Jackie was a leader and key person in the integration of baseball. Jackie Robinson was one of the most influential people in sports history. For example, the key idea that led to Jackie Robinson becoming a rebel was him being the first African American to challenge the color barrier in athletics. Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947 in major league baseball when the Brooklyn Dodgers brought him up from the colored...
Words: 529 - Pages: 3
...act. This can easily be said of Jackie Robinson, as he was the individual who progressed a movement that was a long time coming. Jackie Robinson was the perfect person to come along and make a difference on two completely different fronts. Robinson stood for an issue greater than his own dilemma and pushed forward the Civil Rights Movement due to his actions. Robinson at first, was passive when it came to Civil Rights, but as time passed he became more determined and was able to stand tall in the face of adversity. Compared to what he easily could have done, he went over and beyond his role. Jackie Robinson was the perfect advocate to usher in a new era of change, not only on the baseball field but also on the frontline of the Civil Rights movement. The most successful advocates for change are...
Words: 1903 - Pages: 8
...turn out different. As Mrs. Gibson hands me my paper I sigh in relief, straight A’s. Any other student would have still felt if it was all B’s, but I would never. All the other kids don’t care about the big picture, but I do. I’m only in 8th grade, but my biggest worry is college. Some kids aren't going to get a scholarship and go to college, but that’s not an option for me. I have big goals to never make a B and get a scholarship, so I can go to college. Jackie Robinson had big goals too. He did something extraordinary that no one else could. Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball....
Words: 640 - Pages: 3
...Understanding that, in the beginning of the 20th century, sporting events captured everyones interest as the major form of national entertainment as T.V. had not yet consumed American households. Additionally, as opposed to television and movies, the individuals who participate in athletics are not made up characters; they are real honest individuals. Now add to the loyal homage fans display for their teams, and suddenly the world of sports turns into a dynamic realm where Americans can invest their time, opinions, and relevant emotions. This seemed fine if it continued to favor societies segregated views and remained centered on the concepts of white supremacy. Certainly, athletics serve as a microcosm for humanity, once this was acknowledged, sports were used as an objective to advocate societal change and equal rights throughout the...
Words: 1167 - Pages: 5
...The African American civil rights movement of the mid-20th century garnered widespread attention and support from both within and outside the United States, catalyzing significant legislative changes and societal shifts. In contrast, the American Indian civil rights movement faced relatively muted public perception and support, often overshadowed by other social movements, despite addressing equally pressing issues of injustice and discrimination. While Jackie Robinson is rightly celebrated for breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball, his impact extends far beyond the diamond. His courageous stand against racial segregation made him an iconic figure in the African American civil rights movement. In contrast, despite their remarkable...
Words: 1546 - Pages: 7
...Throughout this fight we see many people arise in trying to make this country a greater place. People like Jackie Robinson also helped make an impacted in achieving equality. Robinson didn’t use speeches and politic realms to do this but he used baseball, an American pastime, to bring together our country. The film 42 is a depiction of how one baseball player took strides to not only unite a team but an entire country. In the film Remember the Titans a group of high school boys both white and black are forced to come together to be the best team they can be. This film shows how overcoming adversity can be accomplished by anyone who believes in the cause enough. Over the past century African Americans have made great strides in overcoming racial adversity, and gaining most of the same freedoms of white Americans. These films both address and attract viewer support for the equality of African Americans. However, the film 42 does a better job at attracting viewer support because of the historical accuracy, the larger audience it appeals to and its’ stronger historical significance. The film 42 is about Jackie Robison’s journey in the major league while fighting racial inequality using baseball. The film begins Robison’s baseball career with an offer from the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers to join their farm team the Montreal Royals. After a season with the Royal’s Jackie proves himself to the owner and he offers Robison a spot on the Dodgers roster. Being accepted to Brooklyn...
Words: 1389 - Pages: 6
...the Civil Rights Movement. Furthermore, students will benefit from meaningful classroom discussions about these heroic leaders. Important People There are numerous well-known historical figures that influenced the Civil Rights Movement leading up to the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is probably one of the most powerful leaders involved in the fight for civil rights. Coretta Scott King worked and marched alongside her husband, Dr. King and continued his fight for justice after his death. In addition, Thurgood Marshall became the first African-American judge on the Supreme Court appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson. In 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African-American to play Major League Baseball which contributed significantly to the Civil Rights Movement. African-American, Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man in 1955. Collectively, these heroic leaders merged the separate worlds of whites and African-Americans together as one. Informational Books There are numerous biographies written for children that recognize...
Words: 1982 - Pages: 8
...Event | Who Involved | What Happened | Why Important | Jackie Robinson | Jackie Robinson, Brooklyn Dodgers, and African-Americans. | Jackie Robinson became the first African-American in U.S history play for a major league baseball team in 1947. After he retired, he joined the Civil Rights Movement, playing a huge role. | Jackie Robinson’s achievements broke down racial barriers and helped wake up America’s conscience. Within the first five years of his career, over 150 African-Americans joined the minor and major leagues. | Montgomery Bus Boycott | African-American Bus Boycotters, Rosa Parks, Supreme Court | On December 1, 1955, African-American Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus for a white man and was later arrested for it. After this incident, African-Americans refused to ride the city buses in Montgomery to protest the segregated seating. | The U.S. Supreme Court ultimately ordered Montgomery to integrate its bus system, and one of the leaders of the boycott, a young pastor named Martin Luther King Jr.), emerged as a leader of the American civil rights. | Little Rock Nine | The Nine African-American Students, President Eisenhower, Orval Faubus, National Guard, 101st Airborne Division. | After the U.S Supreme Court decision after Brown v. Board of Education, all segregated schools were declared unconstitutional. So after a group of nine African American students enrolled in Little Rock Central High School, they were prevented from entering by Orval Faubus...
Words: 723 - Pages: 3
...marches hoping to use violence and fear to continue segregation. On July 2nd 1964 The Civil Rights Act was passed by the senate making segregation at businesses and restaurants illegal. Baseball is Americas pastime and in 1886 it was no different. The start of professional baseball in St. Augustine began with an ad for a game between the black employees who worked at the Ponce de Leon vs Alcazar employees (26). Many of the colored players from the Ponce were born and raised in Lincolnville and played on the semiprofessional negro team the Cuban Giants. There is no evidence that any of the giant players were Cuban or that they even spoke Spanish. The most likely reason for being Cuban was to avoid the discrimination of white fans and players. Who had a problem watching or playing with black players but allowed Cubans or American Indians to play (27). Since the Flagler teams featured both amateurs and professional’s players they would be considered a semiprofessional which not only provided high level entertainment for Flagler’s hotel guests, but also improved employee morale. By 1964 baseball had become part of the culture of St. Augustine and Lincolnville. In 1947 Jackie Robinson became the first black player to play in the major leagues. 17 years later in 1964,...
Words: 660 - Pages: 3
...correctional center as well as drawing on my own personal experience as a refugee from Gabon. The findings of my research demonstrate that minority offenders do receive harsher sentences than the whites, and that there are several factors contributing to higher rates of juvenile delinquency among African Americans; primarily education and community. To consider the struggle of minorities is important because it creates awareness that the maltreatment of a minority group by the dominant majority often ends in violence and destruction. If we can understand what cause the inequality better, then mankind can live more peacefully and prosperously. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am grateful to have a mentor and a RC like Mr. Doug Brown and an advisor Dr. Jackie Burns to help me write my capstone. Mr. Brown served as a facilitator helping to clarify the process and helping to keep me on track with my...
Words: 19434 - Pages: 78
