Informative Speech: The Legacy Of Jackie Robinson

Introduction
1.Hook: Two men, one tall, elderly and magical and the other black, young and fierce have a lot more in common than you may think.

2.Background info:

A. Jack Roosevelt Robinson (also known as Jackie Robinson) was the first african american to play in the MLB. Also a World War II veteran, husband and father of three.

B. Gandalf was a wizard whose only job was to destroy all evil. Only the ring that he gives to Frodo can destroy all evil. His job is to lead the fellowship of the ring to the middle of all evil and destroy the ring forever.
3.Thesis: Jackie Robinson and Gandalf are both heroic because they are brave, make self-sacrifices and are leaders to the people around them.

Body
1.Bravery

A. Jackie
1.During

his rookie year in the MLB Jackie was kicked and spit on by rival players and sometimes even his own teammates. He received many letters threatening to kill him and his family, but he still played every game. He was also not allowed to stay in some of the hotels that the rest of the team stayed at. He finished out his rookie season and ended up winning rookie of the year in 1947.

2.After retiring from baseball he became very involved in the civil rights movement. He mailed a letter to president Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958. In this letter he explains his frustrations and asks the president to guarantee the federal support for black civil rights. That letter had a huge impact on laws being passed such as equal pay, banning segregation in federal buildings and employment discrimination.

B. Gandalf
1.In the final war Gandalf and a hobbit named Pippin are stuck in a castle with very few troops left. On the other side of the door there are thousands of orcs trying to break in and kill them. Pippin tells Gandalf, “ I didn’t think it would end this way” (Tolkien ). Gandalf goes on to say, “ End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it.” (Tolkien). He is brave enough to calm him and Pippin down about death.

2.In another scene Gandalf leads a charge of allies down a hill to save the ones that have been fighting all night. Gandalf’s charged saved the lives of all the people in the kingdom. If Gandalf did not do this then the kingdom would fall and the race of men would have been eliminated.

Self-Sacrifice

A.

Jackie
1.Jackie was forced to make self sacrifices through his life. On April 3, 1942 Jackie entered in World War II. He sacrificed his life for a country that doesn’t even give him equal rights. In the summer of 1944, Robinson became a lieutenant in the navy. He was one of few African American lieutenants.

2.During his first two years with the Dodgers, Robinson endured astonishing abuse. He was hit, kicked and spit on. Sometimes purposefully beamed in the face with a pitch."Despite numerous death threats, Jackie and Rachel Robinson returned from baseball games at old Ebbets Field on the subway, talking with numerous people, young and old, black and white, about the day's events. The Robinsons had no security assigned to them” ( Budig, The Times).

B. Gandalf
1.During the quest to destroy the ring Gandalf must make some sacrifices to help advance the quest. When they are running through the Mines of Moria they awaken a beast named Balrog that has been asleep for thousands of years. The Balrog is chasing them through the mines until they get to a bridge. When they are on the bridge they all cross, but Gandalf. Gandalf looks at the beast and fights it off while everyone else escapes. This is where he got his famous line, “ You shall not

pass!”

2.After a long and hard fought battle with the Balrog, Gandalf died. He did not die forever. He died and was reborn a better wizard. He turned from Gandalf the grey to Gandalf the white. A white wizard is the most powerful wizard you can become. He sacrificed himself so that the quest could continue and he himself could become a better wizard.

Leadership
A.Jackie

1.I believe that Jackie Robinson taught us all a lesson on leadership and that was do something to breakdown a barrier, not once, but as often as you can. Jackie is also known for saying, “ A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”

2.One of the things that makes Jackie so special is that he not only broke the color barrier, but also fought for stuff like equal rights and funded charities. One being the Jackie Robinson Foundation which helps send kids to college.

B. Gandalf
1.In the final battle the king of Minas Tirith goes crazy and has no control of his kingdom. There are hundreds of thousands of orcs waiting outside to get in and kill him and his kinsmen. Gandalf tries to help and advise him, but he instead tries to kill gandalf. The king ends up catching himself on fire and dying. Gandalf then takes control of Minas Tirith and rallies the troops.

2.Gandalf was responsible for putting the quest together. He is the one that makes the plan and picks the best people for the quest. He also elects himself as leader because he is the wisest of them all. If Gandalf did not organize the quest the ring would have never been destroyed.

Conclusion
1.Jackie Robinson and Gandalf were both Brave, made self sacrifices and were leaders.

2.Being brave is never backing down for anyone or anything for any reason. Self sacrifices are giving yourself up so others can advance. Leadership is leading others in the right direction.

3.These two men were born into two completely different worlds, but share similar heroic characteristics. Both of these men are very good examples of leaders and define the word hero.