Wednesday, April 15, 2009

American Government 4/15

In Class - Discuss the significance of Jackie Robinson to American History (it is Jackie Robinson Day). Hand out articles: "Where Have We Gone Wrong, Mr. Robinson" and "A Hard Out." Use these articles along with the one below to write a page reaction to this question:

What was the significance of Jackie Robinson's breaking the color barrier in major league baseball in terms of civil rights and also African-American's outlook of life in the United States?

3rd Article:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,798173,00.html

Homework - Page write up using the articles as a basis for your response. Due tomorrow at the beginning of class.

18 comments:

davidz said...

Jackie Robinson's breaking the color in the major leagues was a grea siginifacant too many people around AMerica at this time. He inspired not only young colored people to play baseball, but to play other sports or chase their dreams in literature or politics. Robinson knew joining the majors wasn't going to be easy for him since he is colored. But he knew what he had to do and he did it. He took all the racial slurs and the unfair judgements by the umpires and just kept his mouth shut because if he we're to say anything back he would be kicked out of the league right then and there. He accomplished what most people at the time couldn't do. Not only did he make major league basebal, but he also was Rookie of the year and had the most base steals in his first season. Although he was one of the best on his team he was paid the least, but was never paid under mininmun wage so there was nothing he could say about it. Jackie Robinson put up with all this bologna for the first few years of his major league baseball career, but eventually earned his respectfor the players on his team. He proved that anything his possible if you just try and dont give up.

Rocio said...

i think jackie robinsons break through the color barrier was so awesome because not only di it bascially give hope to all black people in a way. it also gave very young black child the chance to look up to some one in the major leagues and be abble to say that one day they will become the next jackie robinson or bud fowler or Frank P. Thompson. you know he also just was an insspiration and let everyone know not to give up on thier hopes and dreams.

stephanie mcphetridge said...

He has inspired other colored people to join the major league baseball.i think he showed that all people can play and interact with one another.people may have started to understand that blacks are just as good as whites.

William said...

He started the whole thing. Well... His coach started the whole thing, by taking him on in the first place. But after that, it was his ball game, and he inspired and allowed others to see moderation and how horribly wrong they were.

JENNAHwithaH said...

The significance of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in major league baseball was huge because baseball was a white man's sport and when he played he was good, so good that he was outshining the white players and that was their overall fear, having a colored person being better at something than them. Once he made the team he inspired other colored people to play and gave colored children someone to look up to.

Yesenia said...

Jackie Robinsons made a huge diffrence in the life of African Americans. He open a lot of doors that werent open. At this time all the Jim Crow laws were around and Africn were been discrimened by white people. I think that it is very sad that now we have less African playersin the major league, it should be the other way around we should have more Afrcans playing. Even though Jackie is dead now he made a diffrence in many ways that we can relate to now.

Mauricio said...

Jackie Robinson made history by playing in the major leagues. He faced discrimination and racial remarks from both fans and teammates... It wasnt till the negro leagues were created that he started earning the respect of his fellow teammates..

~>F0NZ0<~ said...

jackie robinson was a major impact on the african american community for alot of reasons... well first of all he was the first black person to play on the major league baseball team. that was a big thiong for both blacks and the white poeple. Jackie robinson had to have alot of patients to go threw what he went threw. him and martin luther king jr. had alot in commin....they were both hero's to the black people.... JACKIE ROBINSON NIS MY HERO..

Hugo Ruiz said...

I think that America is still in danger of another terrorist attack. They might want to attack during this recession. They know that America is damaged they might want to do some thing while America is hurt. Airports have gotten stricter ,borders tougher and a bunch of other stuff stricter. I think that it has gotten safer but any country can do some thing unexpected to any other country. The things that were set by the bush administration no because we cant find weapons of mass destruction. We invaded a country did not find what we were looking for and we are still their. If we withdraw the solders from Iraq all of sudden some Iraqis are going to be mad for coming and leaving and they might want to attack.

Sergio said...

jackie robinson had a major significance to the civil rights movement because by him breaking the color barrier he allowed all types of races to not only dream but make their dreams a reality. im sure he even help martin luther king jr realize that his dream of no prejudism could be a reality and so he went forth and started fighting for it. if jackie robinson hadnt had broken the color barrier i dont think we would be where we are today race wise.

megan2317 said...

Jackie Robinson's breaking the color barrier in major league baseball was extremely significant. not only did he pave the way for other african american players that wanted to join the major leagues, he gave hope to people of all ages to realize that they really could be what ever they wanted to be. this event also helped start the civil rights movement.

Alfredo said...

Jackie Robinson's breaking the color barrier was very important because it showed white people that african americans can measure up to them. It also gave many young african americans someone to look up to, and Robinson became a role model for many. Even though he faced many problems in trying to join the major leagues he did it anyways because he knew it was for a greater purpose than just playing baseball.

mnguyen said...

Jackie Robinson did not only represent African Americans to play sports. he also inspired others to accomplish their dreams. his determination to play baseball shows that any type of barrier can be broken as long as you are willing to fight for what you believe in. i thought it was very interesting that this event occured at the same time as Martin Luther King Jr. practiced his nonviolent protests. In my opinion, Jackie Robinson does not represent only African Americans. he represents every race there is.

Clos said...

Jackie Robinson doing what he did inspired lots of people. Him becoming the first ever African American major league baseball player showed many people that times are soon to change. For fans to accept him as well makes it great. I feel that he started a revolution.

kenzie said...

I think that Jackie Robinson was like the start of civil rights. He opened the door for so many African-Americans to play in all sports. I am sure that he inspired a lot of African-American go and tryout for any team they wanted! He was a huge role model for so many people and i am so glad that he pushed his way into the major leagues because he deffinetly deserved it! Without him who know were we would be right now with sports.

pfcsimonsdanyell said...

He gave hopes and dreams to many little children not only African America but Latinos or even children with disabilities. With him children grew up and knew that no matter their race they can end up being what ever they want to be. Sorry for the late response i just got my Internet back today..

Garrett(aka..The Beast!) said...

When Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major league baseball, all of baseball, and America, was changed forever. Not only did he pave the way for other African American players that wanted to join the major leagues, but he also gave hope to all in America that all dreams are reachable. He was also a key factor in starting up the civil rights movement. You always need a starting point, or a big push, to change countless lifes, and Jackie Robinson was just that.

adriana said...

i think that jackie robinson breaking the color barrier in major league baseball was significant because it showed progress in the civil rights movement