Jackie Robinson Impact On Society

“I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me... All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.” All that Jackie wanted was a far chance and for his skin color not to hold him back from playing the game that he loved. Once he got his chance he made it sure that he wouldn’t let anyone down and make a show that everyone would want to come and see. Jackie Robinson changed the face of baseball as we know it today. He started the revolution of Integration in Major League Baseball in the 1940’s. The idea of putting colored people in sports made many people feel different emotions like excited, happy, uncomfortable and even angry. “The reaction to Robinson from baseball fans and players ranged from enthusiasm and joy to hostility and death

He planted the roots for all races to be able to play in any sport. The very first documented time was between 1920’s and the 1940’s when many different races were eligible to play in the major leagues. (AmHistory) “Black people, eager to capitalize on the success of the Negro Leagues and the freedom acquired by them during the war, viewed baseball’s integration as a means of establishing themselves as legitimate members of American democracy.” “America was beginning to integrate in many areas, and Robinson’s name would be at the forefront for decades to come.” (Beyond) “When Robinson took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, more than sixty years of racial segregation in major-league baseball came to an end. “Robinson became the highest-paid player in Dodgers history but was traded to the New York Giants in 1956; he retired shortly thereafter.” (historynet) He was the first acknowledged black player to perform in the Major Leagues in the twentieth century and went on to be the first to win a batting title, the first to win the Most Valuable Player award, and the first to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.” (sarb) “Wendell Smith of The Pittsburgh Courier gave Robinson the chance to write a short column chronicling his journey each week.” While Jackie was getting interviewed, many people listened. He spoke great words and it even persuaded people to try and make a change in sports just like Robinson was