Jackie Robinson Biography
Welcome to the Jackie Robinson biography. Jackie Robinson was an American baseball player as well
as a civil rights activist who started playing in the Major League Baseball for
the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. His bravery, ability and determination in the
presence of high level of racism made him not only a legend in the sporting
industry but also a significant figure in the fight for civil rights. Jackie
Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball for the African American athletes
in the future and his actions played a role in ending segregation in America.
Jackie Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia in 1919,
although he was raised in Pasadena, California; it was here that he began to
show his athletic abilities. He was an all-around star in college athletics but
was racially profiled in each sport he participated in. Nevertheless, Jackie
Robinson was a good athlete in baseball, basketball, football, and track. His
signing for the Major League Baseball was one of the most significant events in
the American sports history and changed the league and society.
Jackie Robinson did not live only for baseball; he had a
rich lifestyle after the game. He turned into an activist for civil rights and
continued to fight for the rights of the blacks in America. Jackie Robinson is
one of the most important figures of the African American history and his
achievements will always be remembered by people all over the world.
Early Life and Education of Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson was born on 31st of January 1919 in
Cairo, Georgia to a sharecropping family. His father abandoned the family when
Robinson was still young and his mother Mallie Robinson relocated the family to
Pasadena, California in the hunt for a better life. Jackie Robinson was raised
in a white area and his family was not accepted by the people of the community,
they were even threatened, but Robinson’s mother taught him to be proud and to
never give up.
Robinson went to John Muir High School and was an
athletic boy who played baseball, basketball, football and also ran track. His
talent made him to qualify for UCLA where he became the first person to play
varsity football, basketball, track, and soccer. Robinson’s participation in
UCLA brought out his athletic prowess but had to drop out early due to
financial problems. However, the struggles Robinson went through helped him in
college sports in preparing for the fights in the professional baseball.
Jackie Robinson was with the U. S. Army during the World
War II after his studies at the UCLA. But he experienced racism within the
military and was charged with insubordination for refusing to sit at the back
of a bus for Blacks. Jackie Robinson was acquitted at the end of the trial and
racism that he faced in the army only made him more determined to stand up for
black rights.
Rise to Fame of Jackie Robinson
The journey of Jackie Robinson to stardom started when he signed to play for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro League in 1945. He got the attention of Branch Rickey, the general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers within a short time. Rickey knew how to bring color to baseball and after so much consultation, he offered Jackie Robinson a contract to join the Dodgers’ minor team, the Montreal Royals in 1946. Jackie Robinson had good performance with the Royals with an average of. 349 and leading the team to International League championship. Jackie Robinson breaking barriers of color in baseball led to more and more black representation.
Jackie Robinson’s debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers occurred
on the 15th of April in the year 1947 and thus he was the first African
American to play Major League Baseball in the modern world. When he joined the league,
he was welcomed with acceptance and at the same time there was a lot of
hostility. Robinson faced racial epithets and threats from fans, rival players,
and some of his own team-mates as well as physical attacks. However, Jackie
Robinson did not allow the hostility to bother him and as a result, Branch
Rickey’s strategy of integration of baseball was successful.
One could not help but to pay attention to his talent on
the field despite the discrimination he received. In 1947 he was honored with
National League Rookie of the Year and in 1949 he was awarded as the Most
Valuable Player (MVP) of the National League. Robinson was able to overcome the
racial segregation in the United States and be a successful baseball player
thus making him a national hero and a symbol of civil rights.
Achievements of Jackie Robinson in Baseball and Civil Rights
Perhaps Jackie Robinson’s biggest accomplishment was his
willingness to become the first African American baseball player in the Major
League, an event that would alter the black experience in the United States of
America. His readiness to perform on the football grounds knowing that he will
be receiving a lot of racial abuse and his ability to play under pressure was
more than just talent. Jackie Robinson played his ten-year long baseball for
the major league baseball with the average batting. 311 batting average, six
All-Star selections, and a World Series in 1955.
However, one cannot overlook the fact that Jackie Robinson civil rights activist role had a great influence in
the American society. In 1957 he retired from baseball and became one of the
most known leaders of the civil rights movement. Jackie Robinson supported such
groups as the NAACP – he contributed both money and effort helping to fight
against segregation and racism. He also became the first African American vice
president of a major American corporation, Chock full onus where he carried on
with the fight for racial integration.
Robinson was not only a speaker and an activist who
appeared at meetings and rallies, but a man who worked for the civil rights. He
also sought to change policies and voted for candidates that stood for the
civil rights cause. Jackie Robinson was a true hero in both sports and civil
rights movements and was a man of great historical significance.
Challenges of Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson has been subjected to many trials and
tribulations in his lifetime and in his career, and most of them were brought
about by racism. Robinson, for example, was the first African American to play
for the major league baseball and he was a target of differential treatment in
form of verbal and physical assault. He had death threats, pitchers threw balls
to hit his head, and was denied in service in many restaurants and hotels while
on a team trip. However, Jackie Robinson did not give up and he was not willing
to fight back any of the people who discriminated him.
Another difficulty was the pressure to perform and
deliver excellent results due to such close monitoring. Branch Rickey had
warned Jackie Robinson not to fight the racists because any action from him
would be counterproductive in the integration process. This meant that Robinson
had to suffer through insults and other abuses without responding as is right.
Sustaining the physical strength in those moments was not easy for him and that
needed mental strength.
Jackie Robinson himself had some problems in his
post-baseball life connected with his activity. Some accused him of being
overly vocal while others complained that he was not forceful enough in his
efforts to bring change. Within the civil rights movement Robinson also faced
opposition from those who did not support his approach or political stance.
However, Robinson never relented in his fight for the blacks and the attainment
of equal rights for the blacks.
Criticism on Jackie Robinson
Although Jackie Robinson is hailed today, he used to be
criticized during his lifetime. Some of the criticism was coming from the
African American leaders who thought that he was not radical enough in fighting
for black’s rights. Jackie Robinson was not an advocate of violence but some of
the activists felt that he was too passive especially those who were led by
Malcolm X.
That is, Robinson’s involvement in politics elicited more
controversy as well as scrutiny from the press. He was a Republican who voted
for Richard Nixon in the 1960 presidential election, which made him unpopular
among the supporters of civil rights movement who favored John F. Kennedy. But
when Nixon proved not to be as supportive of civil rights as Robinson wanted
him to be, Jackie Robinson became vocal against him, proving that his
allegiance was to the black race and not the democrats.
However, all these criticisms did not deter Jackie
Robinson from staying loyal to his convictions. He maintained his fight for
civil rights, and after them, he mainly concentrated on issues to do with
economic justice and education. That he could come out in the open and say what
he felt was right, knowing fully well that he would be mobbed by the critics,
was a clear demonstration of his commitment to the virtues of justice.
Personal Life of Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson family life was quite stable and he was
devoted to his religion. He later got married to Rachel Robinson in 1946, they
had their union until he died in 1972. Rachel was a very supportive woman for
Jackie all through his career in baseball as well as in his later life as a
civil rights activist. Together, they had three children: Jackie Jr., Sharon
and David.
Robinson was a Christian and his religion was a very
essential part of his life. He mostly relied on his faith when in trouble
especially when facing racism in the baseball games. These were the belief
systems that he held which include humility, perseverance, and justice and they
applied them in his life and when playing football.
Jackie Robinson was also a good father. He had to deal
with the fact that he was raising his children in a society that was still
racially prejudice and ensured that they understood the importance of
education, integrity and determination. Nevertheless, Jackie Robinson was a
family-oriented man and despite his fame and numerous public engagements he
never forgot about his family and their needs.
Jackie Robinson Quotes
Another quote of Jackie Robinson is, “A life is not
important except in the impact it has on other lives.” According to Robinson,
the importance of a human life in the society is in its usefulness. This
philosophy can be evident in Jackie Robinson’s life since he worked hard with
an effort of making the lives of others better.
The last quote from Robinson is also great: The quote,
“I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me... All I ask is that you
respect me as a human being.” also stresses the value of equality and respect
that was the primary goal of Robinson’s career and the civil rights movement.
Jackie Robinson also stated, “The right of every American
to first-class citizenship is the most important issue of our time.” The quote
also shows his fight for the rights of the blacks. He was fully involved in the
struggle for equal rights and basic freedoms of all individuals in the United
States of America regardless of the shade of their skin.
Jackie Robinson Facts
What is more, Jackie Robinson was a good athlete not only
in baseball but in other sports as well. He also played football, basketball
and track in his time at the University of California Los Angeles, UCLA. Jackie
Robinson was one of the most versatile athletes of his time due to his
all-round ability.
There is also something that people are not aware of and
this is the fact that Robinson was a lieutenant in the U. S. Army during the
Second World War. He was discriminated at the military and was court-martialed
after he refused to move to the back of the bus in a segregated bus. This
episode prefigured his part in the struggle against racism.
Number 42, which was Jackie Robinson’s jersey number, has
been retired in all the teams of Major League Baseball. In 1997, on the 50th
anniversary of Robinson’s debut, MLB decided to retire his jersey number, thus
making Robinson the only player ever to receive this distinction. On the 15th
of April, players of the league celebrate ‘Jackie Robinson Day’ by wearing his
number 42 jerseys.
Legacy of Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson, a great African American sportsman and
social activist, will always be remembered for his courage, determination and
the change he brought to the society. In being the first African American
player in Major League Baseball, he was resisting the culture of racism that
was rife in the United States during that time. He proved that African American
athletes could play football at the professional level and his conduct off the
field made him a model citizen for the generations to come.
Apart from being a great baseball player, Robinson was
actively involved in the civil rights movement that sought to advance the cause
of the blacks in America. Through his work with NAACP and other civil rights
organization and his vocal support for civil rights, he made an impact on the
nation.
Jackie Robinson’s legacy is still being felt today. He
was and still is a legend of baseball but more importantly he was a champion of
civil rights. His courage and conviction moved countless people into joining
the struggle for equality and thus he is one of the most important
personalities in American history.
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