Hey Soul Mates,
today marks the anniversary of Jackie Robinson's major league debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Jackie was a true pioneer and the social impact of his work cannot be overstated.
In 1947, he became the first black player in baseball's modern history (after 1900). Robinson had to endure death threats, racial taunts and separate but unequal treatment: sometimes by his own teammates. But by the end of the season, the Dodgers' new first baseman was the first ever Rookie of the Year. Two years later he was named NL MVP. He proved himself through his spirited play and sportsmanship. He had to. The first black pro in baseball couldn't be like Gary Sheffield, Albert Belle or Sammy Sosa; prone to outbursts, diarrhea of the mouth or boasting. And that's not to say that he was acquiescent. Jackie Robinson proved to white America that blacks could be worthy of holding an equal job at equal pay with equal treatment. After all, baseball is America's pastime and he was playing the game right. Jackie was followed by Cleveland's Larry Doby, then many others. Consider that it took the Red Sox another 15 years to sign their first black ball player. Jackie opened a door for black athletes, but he also opened a larger one for minorities in all aspects of society.
How well respected is Robinson in the sport: in 1997 his number (42) was retired by the entire league.
I suggest that Jackie Robinson Day should be a national holiday. A day that we reflect upon the worth of all Americans, the contributions that Jackie made and his legacy. Without Robinson, our nation would be a crueler, less accepting place. There's still work to do, but Jackie set the tone. Along with pioneers like Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes, Nat Cole and Martin Luther King, Jackie Robinson made it possible for America at-large to accept blacks as human beings to be treated with dignity and without prejudice. Even though he died while I was a child, I'm proud to call Jackie a hero. Without the him and the people I just mentioned, there's no way Doug and I get to perform on the same stage with Bryan in front of our beautiful, diverse audience.
God bless you, Jackie Robinson.
Love, Power, Peace
today marks the anniversary of Jackie Robinson's major league debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Jackie was a true pioneer and the social impact of his work cannot be overstated.
In 1947, he became the first black player in baseball's modern history (after 1900). Robinson had to endure death threats, racial taunts and separate but unequal treatment: sometimes by his own teammates. But by the end of the season, the Dodgers' new first baseman was the first ever Rookie of the Year. Two years later he was named NL MVP. He proved himself through his spirited play and sportsmanship. He had to. The first black pro in baseball couldn't be like Gary Sheffield, Albert Belle or Sammy Sosa; prone to outbursts, diarrhea of the mouth or boasting. And that's not to say that he was acquiescent. Jackie Robinson proved to white America that blacks could be worthy of holding an equal job at equal pay with equal treatment. After all, baseball is America's pastime and he was playing the game right. Jackie was followed by Cleveland's Larry Doby, then many others. Consider that it took the Red Sox another 15 years to sign their first black ball player. Jackie opened a door for black athletes, but he also opened a larger one for minorities in all aspects of society.
How well respected is Robinson in the sport: in 1997 his number (42) was retired by the entire league.
I suggest that Jackie Robinson Day should be a national holiday. A day that we reflect upon the worth of all Americans, the contributions that Jackie made and his legacy. Without Robinson, our nation would be a crueler, less accepting place. There's still work to do, but Jackie set the tone. Along with pioneers like Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes, Nat Cole and Martin Luther King, Jackie Robinson made it possible for America at-large to accept blacks as human beings to be treated with dignity and without prejudice. Even though he died while I was a child, I'm proud to call Jackie a hero. Without the him and the people I just mentioned, there's no way Doug and I get to perform on the same stage with Bryan in front of our beautiful, diverse audience.
God bless you, Jackie Robinson.
Love, Power, Peace
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