Jackie Robinson’s Life and AchievementsI chose Jackie Robinson for this research project because I play baseball, like him. But Jackie wasn’t just a great baseball player, he was a brave person who changed the history of baseball. He broke the color barrier and became the first African American to play in the National league. I want to describe Jackie’s life, achievements and how he overcame everybody who was against him.
Jackie’s Early Life
Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31,1919 in Cairo, Georgia. His parents were Mallie and Jerry Robinson and he had 4 siblings. His father left the family when Jackie was a baby and he never saw him again. They were poor, but Jackie had a good life. He was a good athlete in school and college. After college, Jackie still wanted to be an athlete but there were no black professional baseball, football or basketball players. In his childhood Jackie learned about slavery from his mother. He felt angry about racism and segregation. As an adult Jackie will fight against them.
Jackie’s Accomplishments
Jackie accomplished a lot in baseball, but he also had many other important accomplishments. He fought in world war 2 as an officer in the army. He talked to a marshal on the phone and told him that it wasn’t fair that whites get better treatment than blacks in the army. He had other jobs too like helping to start a bank. He marched in 1963 with Martin Luther King Jr. for equal rights for African Americans. He also wrote two auto-biographies. All his life, Jackie focused on less segregation and more opportunities for African Americans.
Most people know about Jackie’s accomplishments in baseball. He started in the Negro leagues. Next he was asked by Branch Rickey to play in the all white baseball minor and major leagues. Jackie broke the color barrier! He played for the Montreal Royals and then for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the Major leagues. He helped the Dodgers win the world series in 1955. It was very hard for Jackie because most players and fans were against him. But Jackie was a great ballplayer and a brave and strong man. He didn’t give up and he changed baseball forever. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.
Jackie’s Contribution
I think Jackie Robinson is important because he was full of courage and had self control. He didn’t fight back or respond when people called him names. He made people respect him and he demanded that white people respect all African Americans. He helped people in an encouraging and gentle way. He gave African Americans the opportunity to play in the Major leagues. Jackie made less segregation in sports. Jackie gave hope that blacks will have equal rights. Even many years after he died, African American children and adults are proud of Jackie.
Conclusion
I researched Jackie Robinson’s life because his story encourages me. I would like to be a great ballplayer like him. But there is something even more important. When Jackie broke the color barrier in baseball, he helped brake many other color barriers. In Jackie’s time, it was almost impossible to have a mixed race family like mine. But today I have a white brother and playing baseball together isn’t a big deal. When I grow up, I hope I have a lot of courage like Jackie.
Sources:
- The biography book (name of book and name of author)
- The Jackie Robinson Story—a Movie
- Jackie Robinson’s biography on http://www.biography.com/
- The official site of Jackie Robinson, http://www.jackierobinson.com/
