In 1947, one man changed sports history forever. Jack Roosevelt Robinson made his major league debut, breaking a baseball color barrier that had been set since 1876. Robinson set ways for future generations through his determination and courage. Robinson believed in equality, decency, morality, injustice, and ending a wrong with a right (Allen). Jackie Robinson changed American society through his dedication for civil rights. Robinson was born on January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia (Swaine). He was the youngest of five children and was raised by a single mother. Robinson´s family lived in poverty and often heard racial slurs. Robinson attended John Muir High School and continued his education at Pasadena Junior College (Biography.com Editors).
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In honor of his bravery, the Major League Baseball also retired number 42 throughout all the clubs. Even after his baseball career, Jackie Robinson continued to work towards equality. Shortly after his final season, he joined the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (Anderson). With this organization he became chairman of the Freedom Fund, which would raise more than a million dollars. He also met with numerous presidents including Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon to further civil right issues (Anderson). In addition, he participated in many marches and protests such as the Youth March for Integrated Schools and March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Robinson also deserves credit for helping Freedom National Bank create a foundation. The bank assisted black business owners and other minority people to receive loans they typically wouldn't receive from a white run bank (Anderson). Overall, Robinson was a huge economic impact for the future black generations.
Jackie Robinson changed American society through his dedication for civil rights. Robinson broke one of the biggest color barriers, which allowed more blacks and other races to compete in professional sports leagues. However, breaking one barrier chained in numerous other barriers. Blacks began to receive more job opportunities, voting rights, and places in local and federal governments. For example, Kenny Washington was the first black man to play in the National Football League and Robert L. Johnson became the first black billionaire with Black Entertainment Television, also known as
In honor of his bravery, the Major League Baseball also retired number 42 throughout all the clubs. Even after his baseball career, Jackie Robinson continued to work towards equality. Shortly after his final season, he joined the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (Anderson). With this organization he became chairman of the Freedom Fund, which would raise more than a million dollars. He also met with numerous presidents including Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon to further civil right issues (Anderson). In addition, he participated in many marches and protests such as the Youth March for Integrated Schools and March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Robinson also deserves credit for helping Freedom National Bank create a foundation. The bank assisted black business owners and other minority people to receive loans they typically wouldn't receive from a white run bank (Anderson). Overall, Robinson was a huge economic impact for the future black generations.
Jackie Robinson changed American society through his dedication for civil rights. Robinson broke one of the biggest color barriers, which allowed more blacks and other races to compete in professional sports leagues. However, breaking one barrier chained in numerous other barriers. Blacks began to receive more job opportunities, voting rights, and places in local and federal governments. For example, Kenny Washington was the first black man to play in the National Football League and Robert L. Johnson became the first black billionaire with Black Entertainment Television, also known as