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Jackie Robinson: An Influential Man

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The person I chose to do my Capstone was Jackie Robinson. He was a very influential man for many reasons. Jackie Robinson once said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives”.

Robinson had a difficult childhood. His father left his entire family when Robinson was only 6 months old. Being the only African-Americans in their California neighborhood was hard. Robinson’s mother taught him about self-respect and to keep his head held high.

Robinson was a star in just about every sport he played. When Robinson was in the Army. He was only one of few African-Americans that became a second lieutenant. Robinson was arrested and court-martialed in 1944 for refusing to give up his seat and move to the back of a segregated bus.. Robinson's excellent reputation shed public light on the injustice, and he was ultimately acquitted of the charges and received an …show more content…
In 1948, the very next year after Robinson, Larry Doby played for the Cleveland Indians becoming the first African-American in American League Baseball. In another example, Willie O’Ree was the first African-American hockey player. When Willie took the ice, the stadium became silent in remembrance of Robinson. There are many additional examples of African-Americans breaking color barriers by using the example that Robinson set in 1947

Robinson could be aggressive and argue his point and many people said he was heroic fighting for civil rights. When Robinson quit baseball in 1956, he was really involved in the Civil Rights Movement. The Robinson family stuck together and triumphed over racial segregation with their heads held high. Robinson’s wife, Rachel, was the love of his life. They went on to have three wonderful children despite the hot glare of publicity and some of the most turbulent years of the Civil Rights

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