How Did Jackie Robinson Help Black People

Jackie Robinson was not only the first African American to play in the MLB but, directly contributed to the civil rights movement around the world. Jackie Robinson made his debut April 15, 1947, for the Brooklyn Dodgers, officially breaking the color barrier. Jackie was not the best African American baseball player but Branch Rickey, the owner of the Dodgers once said, "I'm not looking for someone who is strong enough to fight back, I'm looking for someone who is strong enough not to fight back" (Branch Rickey). Jackie never fought back and his actions soon became the way many African Americans would fight the civil rights movement. Outside of baseball Jackie got involved in the civil rights movement through organizations. With his involvement Jackie had an impact on civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X, as well as presidents, and other government officials (The Civil Rights Movement). Jackie Robinson impacted baseball and the nationwide civil rights movement through the integration of baseball, involvement in the civil rights movement, and his public image.

To the average person, in the average American community, Jackie Robinson was just what the sports pages said he was, no more, no less. He was the first Negro to play baseball in the major leagues. Everybody knew that, but to see the real Jackie Robinson, you must de-emphasize him as a ball player and emphasize him as a civil rights leader. That part drops out, that which people forget. From his early army days, until well after his baseball days, Robinson had fought to achieve equality among whites and blacks. "Jackie acted out the philosophy of nonviolence of Martin Luther King Jr., before the future civil rights leader had thought of applying it to the problem of segregation in America"(Weidhorn 93). Robinson was an avid member of the NAACP and helped recruit members because of his fame from baseball. Jackie had leadership qualities and the courage to fight for his beliefs. Unwilling to accept the racism he had run into all his life, he had a strong need to be accepted at his true worth as a first-class citizen. Robinson was someone who would work for a cause - that of blacks and of America - as well as for himself and his team.

Jackie Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia, January 31, 1919. He was raised by a single mother Mallie Robinson and four older brothers. His father Jerry Robinson had left searching for a job one day and never came back. Growing up as a teenager was harsh, because he had no father that would help him or either give him advice. As Jackie Robinson grew up he learned about racial discrimination/racism. Jackie Robinson had to face through a lot of racism even when he was young and little. Racism was a big issue back in the days. White people would discriminate black people for not being as superior as them. African Americans were not considered people they were used as a slave who will always obey what their master would order them. If a slave decides

Known for his speed, Jackie Robinson was not one of the most notable Negro League stars at the time of his signing. He tried out for the Monarchs in 1945 after leaving the military. While he got accepted, his stats were not up to par with some of the other more famous Negro League players. He was good enough to play shortstop and he spent the whole of his Negro League career with the Monarchs. He might not have been the best player in the Negro Leagues, but he was better than some of the Major League players. It was this fact in combination with his attitude toward integration that got him signed into the Minor Leagues in 1945. He was willing to remain humble toward the hate he would receive in the white leagues. His goal would not be to boost his ego, but to make integration easier for the black players to come after him. He was a reasonable man, who took his job serious...

He was just better at certain things than others were. This is another characteristic of a classic hero. Jackie had the temperament and focus to take all the jeers, hate, and hostility, and still rise above everything that he was facing. After his baseball career he became a spokesman for racial equality, and was well known from his baseball career. This made him very powerful in leading and convincing people to join in on his protests and beliefs. He became the chairman of the Freedom Fund drive that brought in over a million dollars. Jackie stood for his morals no matter what anyone said, and participated in many marches, including the March on Washington in 1963, where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous, “I Have a Dream” speech.

This man shows more character in my eyes than any other player in any sport. He overcame so much throughout his life, it is unbelievable. He broke the color barrier in the MLB, there is no way that was an easy task. Jackie Robinson paved the way for African-American athletes. Without him playing in Major League Baseball who knows how far along baseball would be. He did this while racism was a huge deal. Between players, coaches, and fans discriminating against him, to traveling with the team and not being allowed to sleep in the same hotels as them. It would have been easy for him to snap and lose his cool but he did not. He was also great on the field which is sometimes overlooked. He played many positions in his career, including first base, second base, left field, and third base. Jackie peaked in the years 1949-1954, coming in the top 15 on Most Valuable Player votes all five years. He never touched steroids and is still considered one of the greatest players of all time. Also he is the most celebrated Major League Baseball Player. The MLB has a whole day throughout the season that every player wears the number 42 in his honor. Now he is in the Hall of Fame not only for his skill but for the way he changed baseball as a

Jackie Robinson changed the way baseball is looked at by Americans. Also, he broke a huge barrier in American History. Robinson helped get rid of segregation. He also, is down as one on of the most respected men in baseball history. Not only a wonderful ball player, but also a wonderful man who went through so much and helped create a path for current and future African American baseball players.

Jackie Robinson’s success on the field was the product of not only transforming sports but had achieved a positive change for the civil rights movement and the outlook on African Americans in society. His daring move to play baseball professionally in a segregated nation was the first major event in civil rights. Robinson’s success had not only affected African Americans but had affected all colored races on the way they were looked upon.

Although Jackie Robinson was not the best African-American baseball player of his time, his attitude and ability to handle racist harassment led the way for the rest of his race to play Major League Baseball, amongst other sports. Being accepted into professional sports also helped African-Americans become more easily accepted into other aspects of life. Jackie's impact in the world for the black population is enormous.

magine every time you go out to play you get made fun of and spit on or you hear the phrase “Nigger you don’t belong here!” You can 't go anywhere without this happening, these are the types of things Jackie Had to experience. Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, in Grady County, Georgia. Jackie Robinson is sought out to be one of the most influential leaders and athletes of his time and arguably the world and he is the first African American to play in professional baseball, the MLB. During the prime time of his life he endured going to war, being the most hated player in the MLB, and he was a traveling Civil Rights activist. Jackie Robinson should be remembered because he was such an influence to many African Americans because he was inspirational as a child, he was a national racism civil rights activist and a Hall of Fame MLB player.