Tristan's essay on Jackie Robinson focuses on the man's courage. We all know that Jackie could play with the best of the best in the major leagues, if only given the chance! But could any of the other players match his determination to overcome the fierce racism of the times? Not only did Jackie become a star player, but he became a national hero. According to Tristan, we all have something to learn from the spirit of Jackie Robinson.
Jackie Robinson: Persevering Against All Odds
When Jackie Robinson debuted in Major League Baseball, he received criticism from opposing players and managers everywhere he went. Some of Robinson’s own teammates in the Dodgers, all from the South, wanted to boycott the team because they didn’t want to see a black player in the team. Pee Wee Reese, the Dodgers’ captain, refused to sign the petition, which made it the turning point in the Dodgers clubhouse. Reese accepted Robinson as a player, and stood up for him at all times. At first, some of the Dodgers players were hesitant to accept Robinson in the clubhouse, but they eventually did and everyone was there for him, becoming brothers on and off the field. One time, Reese was playing cards in the clubhouse with Robinson, and a fellow teammate, Dixie Walker, pulled Reese aside and confronted him for playing cards with Robinson. Reese replied, “Look, Dixie, you and Stell travel with a black woman who takes care of your kids, who cooks your food, who you trust -- isn't that even more than playing cards with a black?'’ (“Reese”). Reese quickly managed to point out Walker’s hypocrisy; he got upset at Reese playing cards with Robinson when Walker himself had a black woman who took care of his family life while the Dodgers were playing. It’s very important to notice Reese’s courageous action in a time where the country was heavily segregated and black people were heavily looked down upon. If it wasn’t for Reese, Robinson probably wouldn’t have been accepted by his own teammates and his courage, determination and hustle for baseball wouldn’t be noticed nowadays.
There wouldn’t have been many black players in baseball nowadays, which means that we wouldn’t have seen legendary black players in baseball, such as Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Ken Griffey Jr. When Robinson debuted in the MLB, he instantly received criticism from everyone. The idea of an African-American playing professional baseball was seen as unethical since segregation was seen everywhere in the country, and Jim Crow laws were especially noticed in the South. Besides, some of Robinson’s own teammates threatened to boycott if he played with the Dodgers. Although Jackie Robinson managed to break baseball’s color barrier, he first had to break through to his fans and teammates. In 1947, the Dodgers traveled to Cincinnati to play the Reds. There, Robinson endured so much racial abuse from the crowd and opposing players. In an act of solidarity, Reese put his hand on Robinson’s shoulder (“Reese”). It was an enormous gesture for Reese to befriend Robinson, especially when he was criticized by the media and even his own teammates for doing it.
At the time, segregation was seen in the country and the idea of a white person to befriend a black person was widely frowned upon. Since Reese grew up in segregated times, he never went to school or played baseball with African-Americans. So, when he shook Robinson's hand for the first time, it was the first time he had ever shaken the hand of an African-American, so it was a huge step in his career and his life (“Reese”). As captain of the Dodgers, Reese encouraged his fellow teammates to accept Robinson as a player and not look down at him since he was African-American. If Reese never accepted Robinson as a teammate, Robinson’s impact on baseball as well as his fight for civil rights probably wouldn’t have existed. It’s very important that Pee Wee Reese managed to befriend Robinson and accept him as a teammate to let everyone know that racism has no place in sports. Robinson’s impact in the civil rights movement was huge in not just normal life, but in sports as well because it allowed teams to accept their players, regardless of their race or skin color.
- To see Tristan's complete Film History Research Paper, please click on the following link: 42
- To learn more of Jackie's determination and story, please click on the video below:
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In this first section of Friends of the Earth,
students take the time to introduce themselves through their reading.
Instead of the brief mention of their hobbies and pets, they reflect on
a memorable literary experience. You might not judge a book by its cover, but here we learn
what is often hidden inside of others.
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