Jackie Robinson

English 1301-3002

June 11, 2010

Essay 1

It’s not that often you come across a complicated man such as Jackie Robinson; few people and no athlete this century have impacted more lives. While the Brooklyn Dodgers infielder didn’t make a nation color blind, he at least made it friendlier for different minorities to participate in sporting events. Robinson ignited the torch and passed it on for future generations of African American athletes to have a chance to perform in the athletic competitions of today. Jackie Robinson became an historical icon through his heroism in the face of terrorization, signifying the potential of African Americans in a public arena, and standing as a reminder to the ever-present segregation in the United States.

Jackie Robinson’s impact upon the human race can only be set apart as truly revolutionary. When Jackie Robinson broke baseballs long standing color barrier in 1947 he forever altered the course of sports history in American society. Robinson opened the door for African Americans to play professional baseball. He was a pioneer in his own right, who forever changed the attitude of numerous American baseball fans. Robinson survived in a time when racial segregation and chauvinism was a common belief of majority of the people in the American society. The bravery he showed by accepting the Brooklyn Dodgers proposal to play baseball in the major leagues epitomizes his personality.

Jackie Robinson was a man determined to be successful in a hostile setting, as well as a man destined to show the nation that blacks could play baseball just as well as whites. The league and its players mistreated Robinson, as well as fans, but his drive and strong will was no match for the ignorance of prejudice human beings. Robinson can be recognized with opening the door to professional black athletes in all sports in American society. He was a pioneering athlete who changed the lives of many baseball fans as well as...