...has on other lives.”- Jackie Robinson A true leader is someone who people willingly follow and listen to as well as someone who has the ability to influence and motivate others. An outstanding example of a great leader is Jackie Robinson. On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson shocked the world and changed not only the history of sports, but changed America. Facing the criticism, ignoring the racial slurs, and following his true passion, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. Jack Roosevelt Robinson, better known as Jackie Robinson, was born in Cairo, Georgia on January 31, 1919. Him and his four siblings were taken care of by their single mother who was a sharecropper. Jackie Robinson grew up in a time of serious racial segregation. His family grew up on a street where they were the only black family and they often faced criticism, which evidently only strengthened their bond as a family. Restrictions on municipal pool or YMCA use for African-Americans were only on designated days, the movies were completely segregated, and many restaurants were completely closed to African-Americans (“Jackie”). This was considered normal and accepted, and despite it all, Jackie Robinson learned to have self-respect, high self-esteem, and how to be independent – the attributes of some of the world’s greatest leaders. Robinson learned to take out any anger or frustration by playing sports. As a young child, he excelled in all sports. As college approached...
Words: 1426 - Pages: 6
...Jackie Robinson was a great leader for not only his team but for the civil rights movement, politics and social achievements. Robinson once said “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives”. He was born January 31st, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia. Jackie is most recognized for being the first black player in the major leagues. He was the youngest of 5 children raised in relative poverty, by a single mother, after his father abandoned the family. He attended John Muir High School and Pasadena Junior College where he played four sports baseball, football, track, and basketball. He was named the region's Most Valuable Player in baseball in 1938. Jackie continued his education at the University of California, where he became the university's first student to win varsity letters in four sports. He was forced to leave short of graduating from UCLA because of financial hardship. He then moved to Honolulu Hawaii where he played football for the semi-professional Honolulu Bears. His season with the Bears was cut short when the United States entered into World War II. For two years he served as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. Jackie achieved a lot on the field. He led his team to the ultimate glory, Winning the World Series in 1955 and making it to it a total of 6 times. He was also Named National League Rookie of the Year in 1947,. Jackie led the National League in stolen bases in 1947 and 1949. Led second basemen in double plays 1949, 1950, 1951 and...
Words: 680 - Pages: 3
...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
...INTRODUCTION In the mid 1940’s Jackie Robinson decided to tryout for MLB. Branch Rickey gave Jackie a chance, and he succeeded . Many people were inspired that black people can be a professional athlete. He struggled with racism throughout his whole career but he overcame it by showing his talents. Jackie Robinson loved all sports. Even though he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, baseball was never his favorite sport. Before he went into MLB he was drafted into the army in 1942. He did not mind being in the army, but he had other places he would rather be. He struggled with racism when he was drafted. While traveling, he performed an action similar to Rosa Parks. All the African Americans had to sit in the back of the bus, away from the...
Words: 1266 - Pages: 6
...utilized their involvement in sports to effectively alter the racial tenor of America. These athletes and coached have propelled our county forward into a more modern way of believing, and without their efforts we may not be able to revel in the respective equality we understand today. This effort was certainly not simple, however; these individuals most definitely conquered many hurdles as well as great suffering in order to surface as the true champions for advancement that they are seen as today. This research will educate us on how these individuals made it possible to accomplish this, what influence athletes made on societies opinions, and why they choose to actually take the stands to begin with....
Words: 1167 - Pages: 5
...20th century, Jackie Robinson is one of the most celebrated baseball players in history. Jim, the moral center of Mark Twain’s The Adventure’s of Huckleberry Finn .Who doesn’t portray a baseball player, yet both Jackie Robinson and Jim both share the same heroic qualities. Both are courageous, noble, and strong-minded. Jackie Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia on January 31, 1919 and grew up in Pasadena, California, where he attended UCLA. While attending there he won letters in football, baseball, basketball, and track. He was regarded as the most all-around athlete in the U.S. at the time. After serving three years in the army, he began playing baseball with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro leagues. After hid successful season in 1946 with the team’s Farmclub he became the first African American major league baseball player since the 19th century. In 1947 he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers. But before Jackie Robinson there was Moses Fleetwood Walker, he was the 1st African American major league baseball player to play baseball in the late 1800’s. On April 15, 1947 Jackie Robinson became the 1st African American to play major league baseball. He broke the color line, which led to many white teams playing against all black teams or interracial teams: Jackie Robinson caught many Americans attention and his story was widely retold through American culture in many different forms. Such as through movies, radio talk shows, sheet music, comic books, and sports magazines....
Words: 1346 - Pages: 6
...nonviolent (SV) acts. The struggle for social justice killed some heroes. The Civil Rights was a fight that lasted horrible decades. (1) Daisy Bates, Jackie Robinson, and James Forman all were leaders and activists in our history. (1) Daisy Bates was a passionate (QA) woman, who wrote and published articles about recent events of discrimination in her local area. Bates reported the whole inspirational story start to end. (6) When (CL) she was born on November 11, 1914, she knew she was sent to this world for a reason. The most impacting (SV) thing she has ever willingly (LY) done was assisting the Little Rock 9 into an all white school. She was an important player in the Aaron v. Cooper case where African American children sued a Little Rock school for not allowing them to attend. This event became national news and set the stage for...
Words: 553 - Pages: 3
...infatuated with competitive play against one another. We owe this anomaly to the primeval mentalities left behind through human evolution; and, we certainly have much to thank for these actions. Sporting, as is explained by renowned sports author Richard Davies, is the “Organized competitive activity between participants that requires some combination of skill and physical prowess.”1 Though, something more complex and unusual also comes with activity of this nature, and this is the ability to forget the destitution and difficulty of everyday life and the capability to be on a level playing field with many people that believe the same way, no matter what socio-economic class they represent. One sport in particular has transcended all other games, has continually been a psychological shelter from pain and hardships of life, and also a cultural rocket breaking through the social barriers in the American society. That sport is simply the most beloved American game of all, baseball. The purpose of this essay is to critically explore a myriad of aspects of life that have been changed due to sports, all the while concentrating on baseball as the main focal point. Further, this work will continually pose the question of how it is conceivable that a single and simple sport could greatly impact a country the way baseball has the United States. At the time of the first foreign inhabitants of North America, life was more difficult than someone of the twenty-first century could have imagined. The...
Words: 4860 - Pages: 20
...A Fight For Segregation It was long until colored people were able to play with the white people. Jackie Robinson helped fight for segregation and civil rights. He thought everyone should be treated equally. He thought that a person shouldn’t be underestimated by one’s background, for they can change the world and our perspectives. One’s race shouldn’t be determined by what they are capable of accomplishing. Jackie Robinson demolished the racial barrier when he showed everyone that it didn’t matter if he was colored, that he was also capable of playing the same way as the white baseball players. Fighting for his dreams, Jackie received many death threats. He had to overcome the fact that most of the world was against his race, African American....
Words: 1160 - Pages: 5
...The solution used is number 3, Excellence. In this solution, Jackie Robinson and Joe DiMaggio two well-known baseball players in the 1940s and 1950s help society rethink their beliefs. Back in the 40s and 50s society was filled with judgement and racism. Going back to 1947, Jackie Robinson had signed with The Dodgers, players were beating him up on the plates because he was African American. Joe DiMaggio faces his parents being affected by the Italian enemy registration even though he is a well-loved baseball player. Jackie Robinson is an icon for African Americans, he powered through the racism and abuse he received while playing the sport he loved. In the world, today racism is still very prominent in society. In the interview with Dusty...
Words: 433 - Pages: 2
...develop a deeper understanding of 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
...wives. A significant event that happened to Hank Aaron is that he set the MLB record with 755 career home runs breaking Babe Ruth’s record 715 in 1974. He was a 4 time national league home run champion, 2 time national league batting champion, and 1 time national league MVP over the course of his 23 years. A major influence to Hank Aaron is Jackie Robinson. While he was becoming famous what led up to fame was that he had several colleges wanting him for baseball. A couple challenges I think Hank went through was racism.What makes Hank Aaron important is that he helped prove that African Americans can do the same thing as any other race it just takes time. Another important event that happened to Hank Aaron is that he broke Babe Ruth’s record on April 8,1974. Babe Ruth’s record was 715....
Words: 334 - Pages: 2
...to convince the audience that Michael Jordan is the greatest of them all Thesis: Michael Jordan is the greatest player of all time because no one in his mind could stop him. He was just a phenomenal athlete and his skills were so unique with a combination of fundamental soundness, grace, speed, power, artistry, a thirst for winning and that never went away. Jordan has single-handedly redefined the NBA superstar and is the NBA’s model of how to play. Attention getter: Show audience slides regarding Jordan’s stats and a small highlight video Main points: 1) What makes Jordan the greatest at his sport in the first place? 2) What are some of his major accomplishments? 3) How has he impacted the sports world culturally? Transition: Now let’s get into some of information about Jordan 1) What makes Jordan the greatest at his sport in the first place? a) Numerous NBA players have been quoted saying they grew up idolizing Jordan and the way he plays. His competitiveness, emotion while playing and his jaw dropping moves. b) 6 NBA Championship rings with 6 Finals MVP; he has been to the finals a total of 6 times and not ever lose 1 series, including never taking a series to a game 7! c) No previous champions have won this much without losing and not only that, he was in an era called the “Golden ages” which bred nothing but superstars at the time making the accomplishment even that much sweeter. Transition: I gave you...
Words: 787 - Pages: 4
...Berkeley Preparatory School Jim Brown’s Role in Shaping Perceptions of Athletes as Advocates for Social Change. Arjun Tummala Honors US History - H Block Mr. Kurt Wahlgren March 15, 2024 To what extent did the activism of Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown shape perceptions of athletes as advocates for social change? Table of Contents:. Introduction Jim Brown's Emergence as an Activist Public Perceptions and Reactions Legacy and Influence on Athlete Activism Tainted Legacy Conclusion. Both historically and contemporarily, professional athletes have gained popularity not solely for their exceptional abilities within their respective sports, but also for...
Words: 2948 - Pages: 12
...Gabriel Silva Professor Hofmann English 102 February 28, 2015 Discrimination: Lives Strong in Fences Al Sharpton once said, “we have come a long way from the days of slavery, but in 2014, discrimination and inequality still saturate our society in modern ways. Though racism may be less blatant now in many cases, its existence is undeniable.” The sad truth is discrimination will live in our lives and those of future generations, just as it lived in the lives of the characters of Fences. Troy Maxson, who is the antagonist of the story, has experienced racial discrimination his entire life, and it affects all those around him. Whether it is with Troy’s job as a trash collector, his influence on Cory’s football career, or the decisions he makes towards taking care of Gabriel, social and racial discrimination plays a huge role in Fences. Troy Maxson works for the sanitation department as a trash collector. He is seen as a servant to white people. He believes he is assigned this position, along with Jim Bono, because of the color of their skin. As to white folks, were assigned as the truck drivers. Troy, fed up with this racial discrimination, stood up and filed a complaint about his position in company requesting to be assigned as a truck driver himself because it was unfair he was out back doing the hard labor due to his skin color. “You think only white fellows got sense enough to drive a truck. That ain’t no paper job! Hell, anybody...
Words: 1021 - Pages: 5
