Jackie Robinson: Race, Sports, and the American Dream

I recently had the good fortune to attend a presentation that highlighted Jackie Robinson’s life, accomplishments, and struggles as a black adolescent. From a personal standpoint, the training made me aware of a number of teachings that I was previously ignorant of. The program’s speaker recalled the occasion when Jackie Robinson received a contract to play for a professional minor league baseball team. The appointment and the recognition he earned gave me the confidence, willpower, and resolve to succeed in life despite my social standing. Playing in the MLB was probably not Robinson dream, but once the opportunity presented itself, Robinson never hesitated but took full responsibility and showed the world that one could be successful in whatever he or she desires provided he/she has the will to achieve. His desire to show anyone can make it in whatever he or she wants to achieve proved to be the initiation of a hall of fame career. For me what Robinson went through in this context taught me to do things out of the will and desire.

The speaker went on and addressed a situation where Robinson was insulted because of his race in the early 40’s and 50’s. People then were ignorant and neglected those not from their ethnic group, but Robinson broke this societal barrier and became the first black to play in major baseball leagues. He went on, and his determination to succeed in his baseball career made him lead the Brooklyn Dodgers to win six National League titles and one World Series. The challenge of color barrier Robinson went through did not prevent him from achieving his goals, this reveals to me so many things. One is that I can rise above every challenge I undergo and find my way to better myself. Another thing I learned from Robinson challenges was to dream of what might be possible by overlooking the prejudice and racial harassment and finding the courage and determination to succeed. Furthermore, from the program, it is clear that I should see the good in people and if not so, I should keep my comments to myself. Our world needs no more hate; our world needs love, respect, and understanding. By following this good moral values and looking up after the core life of Robinson, anyone can find inspiration and pursue his or her dream and find success.

The speaker of the program also addressed the issue of recognizing a time for a change. During Robinson’s rookie year his fellow teammates saw how he was being treated. One after the other started to support him first privately and then publicly regardless of what their fellow friends and relatives will say. It is clear that Robinson teammates made their own decision and did not care what will be the consequences. On the other side, Robinson was also capable of standing for himself. Their stands are indeed enriching and contributed a big deal in my understanding to make the right decision, and no one should dictate to me what to think or what to do.

Most people will never have the ability to do something as incredible as Robinson. But for me from what I learned during the program is always to speak up when I see injustices happen around me especially when the general population seems indifferent to it. People were unimpressed when Robinson teammates started supporting him, but that did not prevent them from giving Robinson full support in private and in public despite the fact that other people did not like the fact that Robinson was black.

From my class and other classes that I have attended, it is clear that people should stick to ethical and moral values. No one should affect the well-being of the other. Everyone should take part in integrating all ethnic group regardless of one’s, race, social status, and gender. (Dorinson and Warmund 37). Other core values taught in my class are justice, commitment, teamwork, determination, courage, persistence, integrity, and citizenship. To be able to triumph in my goals, it is evident that I must be courageous and determined to achieve my goals. I should not base my desire on harassment I get from people around me but should take the courage and determination Robinson had which made our country triumph in the baseball World series.

It is evident from the essay that good morals and social values and challenges Robinson went through should not be a barrier to my success. It is my responsibility to be inclusive of all cultures whether one is a banker, baseball player, filmmaker or simply a citizen of the world. I should give everyone a fair shot at achieving their most significant achievement. Moreover, I should take all the challenges positively and use them as my stepping stone to my accomplishments. Courage, teamwork, determination, persistence, integrity, justice, commitment is what should drive me towards unlocking my potential towards success.

Works Cited

Dorinson and Warmund. Jackie Robinson: Race, sports, and the American dream. Routledge, 2015.