Jackie Robinson the Unexpected Hero free essay sample

Jackie Robinson dealt with segregation and ridicule beginning at a very young age. His mother raised him and his four siblings by herself, as the only African American family on their block. As one of five, he was forced to learn how to take care of himself, and playing sports was his way of escape. Due to financial difficulties, he was not able to finish college, so he enlisted in the U. S. Army. He was not in the army for long, however, because he was court-martial (later released), after refusing to make his way to the back of a military bus.Situations such as this made him stronger and more persistent in his efforts against racial discrimination. In 1945, after leaving the army, Robinson was signed to the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Baseball League. In 1947, the president of the Brooklyn Dodgers found Robinson and asked him to join the team. Robinson accepted the opportunity, with the knowledge that being the first African American player in the Major Leagues in many years, he would face many challenges. Many had strong beliefs about segregation and what the status differences between African Americans and Caucasians entailed.Robinson knew all of this, and the road that he would have to endure. He was using his involvement in baseball to make America more aware of the racist situation in the country. He would later be called a Revolutionist in a Baseball Suit. With Jackie Robinson joining the sport that so many Americans followed and enjoyed, history was in the making. Professor Stephen Butler spoke about what made Jackie Robinson a hero to people while he was alive, as well as what has kept him a hero to people today. Robinson was a relatable person, coming from a humble background.It is more accessible to Americans to look p to someone who grew up in our neighborhoods, and dealt with the same situations we deal with every day. Once he joins the U. S. Army, he is separated from his family, immediately after that, he is separated again after he joining to Negro Baseball League. His mission IS now to help aid the effort to desegregate the Major Leagues. Branch Rickety, the President of the Brooklyn Dodgers, becomes his mentor. He gives him the ability to play for the Major Leagues, and begin to reach his ultimate goal. While he played for the Dodgers he was met with ridicule and prejudice from those who were assist.Many were not ready for the change that Robinson was bringing about. For many years African Americans were not seen in the Major Leagues. People fell into this comfortable way of thinking, and Jackie Robinson was not welcome in their eyes. He was booed upon getting up to bat, and he was shouted at in the streets. Pitchers even threw balls at his head, and players tried to cut him with their cleats. Robinson faced much opposition, yet he never faltered. He was on a mission to end prejudice. Eventually, his teammates became his support, and they looked out for him and respected IM as a man and a player.At the end of his life, Robinson had severe heart troubles, and he lost his eldest son in an automobile accident. Despite everything that he faced, he not only led the way in the desegregation of baseball, but his wish came true that an African American would be hired as a manager for a Major League team. Dave Grin, an American sportswriter, brings up the historical and sociological connection between sports and racism. Before the Jim Crow laws were put in place in 1876, there were African Americans in baseball; therefore, Jackie Robinson was not the first African American baseball player.While he was not the first, he re-introduced the idea that African Americans were able to play baseball and succeed in the sport. He brought the idea of how things used to be back into society, and challenged people to open-up their minds beyond racism. Jackie Robinson was an example of an activist athlete. He used his sport to help others understand the world. Baseball and America as a whole were connected in their transformation; both went through the stages of segregation, integration, and celebration. Jack Johnson was another example given as omen who was an activist athlete.He was the first African American heavyweight champion in boxing, and this was not well received in the public, although boxing was the only sport that stayed integrated since the introduction of Jim Crow laws. Jim Jiffies, one of the best Caucasian boxers, came out of retirement in an effort to beat Johnson, yet Johnson won easily. This resulted in the break out of riots around the area. While Robinson was an activist athlete, he was also a political athlete. He had said that he would choose complete freedom for his people over playing baseball any day.He as using his sport to talk about his rights and the rights of others. Robinson used his skill on the field to inspire integration in sports as well as in other aspects of the country. Muhammad All, formerly known as Caucus Clay, was another example of a political athlete. He refused to fight in the Vietnam War because he did not agree with the reasoning behind the war. Robinson loved to play baseball, yet he played not only for the game, but also for the opportunities that it gave him to change society. He saw baseball as a chance to get his voice heard, and help those around him that had been silenced.Through helping to integrate baseball, he hoped that other parts of the country could be integrated as well. He knew that it was a small step, but Robinson hoped that his efforts could have an effect beyond that on the baseball field. Joseph Derision, a professor at Long Island university in Brooklyn, spoke about Jackie Robinsons legacy and how he has had a major impact on the world. Robinson not only changed the world of baseball, but he changed the world as a whole. His impact had a ripple effect. His efforts in the sport moved outward to the streets of the area, and later around the nation.Professor Derision stated, Babe Ruth changed baseball, Jackie Robinson changed America. When Jackie Robinson was born in 191 g, the world was in turmoil over the issues of racism. The mob and the military rioted the streets of Washington, D. C. Killing African Americans, and the police were unable to stop the outbreak. An African American boy strayed from the black side of the beach to the white side of the beach, and those that were there threw rocks at him, resulting in his death by drowning. These are just a few examples of the horrors that Robinson was born into.While this is how the world was before he integrated baseball, the world would be much different after he brought about a change. Robinson was able to stand up for himself, and win a small victory one day driving home with his teammates. He stopped at a gas station, started filling up the car, and then asked to use the bathroom. The owner gave him the key to the bathroom, but it was out of order. Robinson went back to the owner and asked to use the white bathroom, but he was turned down. Immediately, he told his teammates to stop pumping the gas, so that he wouldnt give this man any service.The owner broke down and told IM he could use the bathroom as long as he didnt tell anyone about it. This incident showed Jackie that he had the ability to get his way by standing up for himself, and the rights that he felt were owed to him. When Robinson played for the Montreal Royals, the Brooklyn Dodgers farm team, he led them to victory in the Minor League World Series. This brought about a craze among the people of Montreal. After the game was over, those living in the area chased Robinson through the streets. This was the first time that white men chased a black man through the streets out of a feeling of joy, and not ate.It is hard to imagine the thoughts that must have been rushing through Robinsons head as he finally felt acceptance rather than the rejection that had become all too ordinary. The man who signed Jackie Robinson, Branch Rickety, warned Robinson before he became a part of the team. He told Robinson that he could accept his offer, but the acceptance entailed a lot of responsibility. Robinson would have to accept hardships without fighting back. It was as if Rickety was asking Robinson to be like Jesus. He wanted Robinson to turn the other cheek when facing opposition. Robinson would be noninsured better seen not heard. Robinson accepted the challenge and Rickets offer, but he was already thinking of how he could bring about a change bigger than that in his own life, or the game of baseball. In 1 955, the Dodgers beat the Yankees in the World Series. During the game, Robinson stole home, and instilled the idea in all of the spectators that African American players had as much skill, stamina, and intelligence as the white players. Jackie taught lessons to players on the field that were not respectful of him or his talent. One of the many times Jackie stole home, the pitcher ride to tag him, but the ball fell out of his glove. In a fit of rage, the pitcher jumped up and tried to fight Jackie. Robinson told him that if he wanted to fight, he could wait until after the game was over. Everyone was able to calm down, and the pitcher admitted that Jackie was right. Robinson showed this kind of calm behavior whenever he was on the field, despite the negative feedback he received from those around him. When Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, baseball truly became an American sport. It is clear that he paved the way for many African American baseball players to follow.Derision called him a champion for all seasons, as a baseball player, a civil rights leader, and a role model. He faced great prejudice and opposition, but with the help of his teammates, and his strong will to succeed, he continued on his journey. Jackie stayed true to his own belief that life is not worth living unless it benefits another life. He is a legacy in the eyes of sports fans as well as all Americans around the country. He is a testament to the message we have heard so many times before: One person can make a difference in the world.