Thank You, Jackie Robinson
Today is the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s breaking the race barrier in major league baseball in the United States. Several players will wear Robinson’s #42 in tribute to him during today’s games.
It is difficult to imagine the stress Robinson endured as he changed the face of major league baseball and paved the way for Blacks and other minorities. Today’s generations of Blacks were not born in segregation and Black history is not taught or shared to the extent it should. Perhaps if Black parents made sure their children were taught Black history, folks like Don Imus would not feel as though they had permission to disrespect Black women as he did. That’s another subject but you get my drift.
As a child, and the only child for almost eight years, my Dad’s sports vocation and hobby forced me to learn about Jackie Robinson, Larry Doby, Joe Black and others. At the time I didn’t view my exposure to baseball as a lesson; I was just hanging out with my Dad.
Of course my parents shielded me from discrimination as much as they could but that didn’t change the reality of life for Blacks and women during that time.
I appreciate Jackie Robinson so much more as an adult. I now fully understand the impact of his sacrifice on my life and the lives of folks who are not Black. Can you imagine baseball history without Roberto Clemente, Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds or Dontrelle Willis? The courage, conviction and persistence in his role as a ball player changed the world.
Jackie Robinson was actually bigger than baseball, we all benefited because of him and we are all indebted to him.
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