How many feel that history has come a long way...and has there been positive or not so positive turning points? Turning points are monumental events that shift the path of someone’s life and turn it in a different direction. The way people respond to turning points can transition history, and without them, our history wouldn't be the same. Jackie Robinson from the autobiography I Never Had It Made by Robinson, Melba Beals from the memoir Warriors Don’t Cry, written by Beals herself, and Feng Ru in the article “Father of Chinese Aviation” by Rebecca Maskel all encountered turning points. Although these people withstood hardships and obstacles, they never gave up no matter how burdensome it was. Jackie Robinson, Melba Beals, and Feng Ru made …show more content…
an impression on our world and changed history as we know it, braving through the challenges they experienced. Jackie Robinson was the first African American to “break baseball’s color barrier” and play as a part of a white league.
As a matter of fact, he was the first black person to play in Major League Baseball. To be able to accomplish this, Robinson first had to step out of the Negro leagues to play for the all-white Brooklyn Dodgers. There were, of course, obstacles. Likewise, a substantial amount of the country was racist to him because of them being segregated, and Robinson faced rejection from players from other teams, their team owners, bigoted white fans, and even his own teammates. As stated in the text, Robinson says, “Some of my own teammates refused to accept me because I was black.” Not to mention, he received hate mail and physical threats against him and his family. He never relinquished and learned to stay calm and ignore the dissenting people with the help of his fans, both black and white. His wife Rachel, and Brooklyn Dodgers team owner Branch Rickey’s assistance and loyalty were important factors to Robinson as well. For instance, he states that Rachel “shared all those difficult years that led to this moment and helped me through all the days thereafter” (Robinson). His controversy to conclude segregation in baseball helped since nowadays any race can engage in any sport he or she …show more content…
craves. One of the first nine black students facing admission an all white high school was Melba Beals.
This courageous girl enrolled at Central High School as one of the “Little Rock Nine”. Not only were Beals and the other eight students being prevented from Central High by angry mobs at the time, but the Arkansas Governor had sent the National Guard to carry out that plan. Under these circumstances, President Eisenhower sent federal troops there, making sure the students arrived harmlessly. In addition, Beals experienced enraged segregationist mobs and furious white people while arriving at her new school. Racist people and thoughts of segregation clouded her mind. As Beals states, “Some of the white people looked totally horrified, while others raised their fists at us.” As a result, she responded to these obstacles with a mix of proud and somber feelings. Proud feelings are felt because she gets the recognition of being known for representing African American education and her country would proceed a significantly long way to make that happen, yet sad they had such long distances to go. Additionally, she states that she was “proud that I lived in a country that would go this far to bring justice to a little Rock girl like me, but sad they had to go to such great lengths” (Beals). She found out that her government would go a long way to bring her justice. This event would help pave the wave for future African Americans entering education and wanting equal
rights. The first Chinese person to build and successfully fly an airplane was Feng Ru. Not to mention, he was the reason aviation developed in China in the first place. The Wright Brothers fascinated Feng Ru because they built and flew a powered airplane. For this reason, Feng soon created his airplane manufacturing company and began building airplanes. Unfortunately, he had very little money and could not afford anything bigger than a shack to build his planes. Since he was working in such a crowded space, it made it difficult for him to complete them. Maskel states, “ San Francisco’s massive earthquake and resulting fire forced him to relocate to Oakland instead, where, funded by local Chinese businessmen, Feng erected his workshop—a 10- by eight-foot shack.” Determined to build a working airplane, despite these difficulties, he didn't give up. Showing his hard working spirit, Feng Ru, “went east to learn all he could about machines, working in shipyards, power plants, machine shops anywhere he could acquire mechanical knowledge” (Maskel). In addition, Feng Ru learned being dedicated by working hard and sticking to his objective can lead to success. It pays off and achievement is within reach for the committed. Dedicated to Feng Ru, China’s space program asserts that without him, it wouldn't exist at all! Melba Beals, Jackie Robinson, and Feng Ru all faced hardships. By enduring mobs of angry white segregationists who desired to keep her out of school, Beals changed the course of history. Also, dealing with rejections from even his own teammates, Robinson fought for his rights, while Feng Ru faced death for the cause of aviation. Every single one demonstrated courage and perseverance throughout their experiences. All things considered, the challenges they faced were worth what they accomplished because the world changed for the better, and history wouldn’t be the same without them. Melba Beals, Jackie Robinson, and Feng Ru taught us to stick to your intentions and that giving up can never get anything done.
Jackie Robinson stands at front plate, with the bat gripped firmly in his hands. The crowd, rather than cheering, was booing and shouting at him. Racial slurs were throw before the baseball ever was, but Jackie kept calm. He couldn't let them win. The pitcher finally threw the ball. Crack! The ball sails over the stadium and the crowd is full of convoluted cries and shouts. Jackie jogged home. He had won that round.
Branch Rickey was interested in Robinson for two reasons. One, being his talent, of course. Two, Branch Rickey wanted to make a change that will affect the MLB forever. Branch Rickey wanted to assist Jackie Robinson in breaking the color barrier. Jackie was soon tried on the Montreal Royals for the International Leagues. During this period of time, Jackie Robinson of course attracted a huge amount of attention, both good and bad. Of course, the white citizens were furious and continually frustrated with this “disgrace” to baseball. Although the reactions of Caucasians were negative, African Americans were very supportive and encouraged.
“In 1946, there were sixteen Major League Baseball teams, with a total of 400 players on their rosters, every one of the players was white. But when opening day came in 1947, that number dropped to 399, and one man stood apart. (42 2:30)” Jack Roosevelt “Jackie” Robinson made his Major League Baseball debut on April 15, 1947, as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Making Jackie Robinson the first African-American to play Major League Baseball (MLB). Jackie’s transition from the Negro Leagues to MLB was not an easy one. As a player, he transitioned very well, but it was Robinson’s teammates, Dodgers fans, the opposing teams and their fans that tested Jackie every chance they got, some hotels even prohibited the Dodgers to stay in their establishments
In the book Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals, the author describes what her reactions and feelings are to the racial hatred and discrimination she and eight other African-American teenagers received in Little Rock, Arkansas during the desegregation period in 1957. She tells the story of the nine students from the time she turned sixteen years old and began keeping a diary until her final days at Central High School in Little Rock. The story begins by Melba talking about the anger, hatred, and sadness that is brought up upon her first return to Central High for a reunion with her eight other classmates. As she walks through the halls and rooms of the old school, she recalls the horrible acts of violence that were committed by the white students against her and her friends.
America’s pastime has been complicated in the last couple centuries, and integration has been a really big key in the game of baseball. Like most of America in the 1940’s, baseball was segregated, whites playing in the Major League system and African-Americans playing in the Negro Leagues. There were many factors that made whites and blacks come together including World War II. Integration caused many downs in the time period but as baseball grew and grew it was one of the greatest accomplishments in the history. It was hard to find the right black man do start this, they needed a man with baseball abilities and a man who didn’t need to fight back.
In 1947 Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers desperately wanted Robinson to play for him and his team. He would become the first black MLB player since 1889 when baseball became discriminated. In his first year he was the Rookie of the Year. He debuted in the International League with the Montreal Royals. This the led to Branch’s interest in Robinson since he was considered one of the best players in the International League and considering it was his first time playing with white men.
Beals made history When the Governor of the State didn’t let the Blacks into the High School so the President sent the Soldier of the 101st to the state to escort them through the mob of Angry Whites. During this people shouted ugly words,, raised their fist to the Blacks, and Looked horrified of the Blacks while Beals and the Other Little Rock nine were getting escorted through the Town to the School. Beals said ‘’Some of the White people looked horrified, While others raised their fist, others shouted ugly Words,’’ Beals reaction to this is she felt sad and proud she felt proud that the country would do all of this to escort them to the school but Beals was sad that they had to go to such great lengths. Beals said that ‘’She was proud that I lived in a country that would go this far to bring justice to a little tock Girl like me but sad that they had to go to such great lengths.’’ Then the Soldiers of the 101st made a protective cocoon, and escorted them through the mob of Whites that did not want the blacks to be in there society. How this event affected the society is when Beals went to school with other Whites she broke a little more of the Color Barrier. To Conclude Melba Beals changed the mind of some of the Whites, and break the color
There are various people in the world who are very influential in many different ways. The people who are influential are the people who inspire people to not give up, people who stand up for what they believe in, and people who overcome difficult things in their life. One of those people is the man who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, Jackie Robinson. Jackie Robinson is influential because of his accomplishments, courageousness, and also his ability to stay strong and fight for his rights.
A turning point is an impact or a quick turn in somebody’s life. People face turning points every day, but it’s not often that these turning points change their lives as well as the world they live. Jackie Robinson, Feng Ru, and Gary Paulsen from the excerpts “ I Never Had it Made”,” Father of Chinese Aviation” and “Guts” all faced a challenging event that had an impact on their life and their country.
Jackie Robinson changed baseball in America in the 1940s by breaking the segregation barrier that was bestowed on baseball. Robinson played in the Negro League for the Kansas City Monarchs. In 1945 Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers negotiated a contract with Robinson that would bring Robinson into the major leagues in 1947. Baseball was segregated because of racial intolerance, economic factors, and other complex reasons. The major leagues would rent out their stadiums to the Negro League teams when their own team would be on the road. For example, if the Brooklyn Dodgers were on the road they would rent out their stadium to the Kansas City Monarchs. Major League team owners also knew if they integrated the Majors the Negro League would lose their best players and the Negro League would be lost. Also, the Majors would lose significant revenue.
Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, into a family of sharecroppers in Cairo, Georgia. He was the youngest of five children born to Mallie (McGriff) and Jerry Robinson, after siblings Edgar, Frank, Matthew (nicknamed "Mack"), and Willa Mae.[8][9][10] His middle name was in honor of former President Theodore Roosevelt, who died 25 days before Robinson was born.[11][12] After Robinson's father left the family in 1920, they moved to Pasadena, California.[13][14][15]
Breaking the Racial Barrier in Baseball Although Jackie Robinson was not the best African-American baseball player of his time, his attitude and ability to handle racist harassment led the way for the rest of his race to play Major League Baseball, amongst other sports. Being accepted into professional sports also helped African-Americans become more easily accepted into other aspects of life. Jackie's impact in the world for the black population is enormous. According to Jessie Jackson, "A champion wins a World Series or an Olympic event and is hoisted on the shoulders of the fans.
An African-American man who faced Racism and insult of White people. He was born in Cairo, Georgia. But, because his family were African American, he faced poverty, which cause him to live hard time, during childhood. In 1920, Robinson’s family decided to moveto Pasadena, California. When he went to school, Jackie got a lots of scout by a school coach. In high school, Jackie mastered most of the sports, like baseball, football.etc. After his graduation of his high school, Jackie went college in Pasadena. Two years later, he went to the UCLA. But because of his skin color, professional team didn’t scout him on their team. Also, lots of sports teams were segregated during 1930-1940. In 1941, he left the UCLA and help his mother. However, Jackie has to join army for WWII. After he came back in early 1945, Kansas City Monarchs scouted him, and decided to play baseball as his career. But, Because he didn’t play as professional Baseball player, He had to get use to play. However, Jackie already had all the necessary abilities for baseball. During the season, Boston Redsoxs proposed a contract with him. However, Because of the racism action by white people, the deal failed. Lots of sports teams also tried to transfer African American player to Major league. However he decided transfer to Los angeles Dodgers. During the game(in Dodgers), he had lots of insult by other players. However, he endures the
To the average person, in the average American community, Jackie Robinson was just what the sports pages said he was, no more, no less. He was the first Negro to play baseball in the major leagues. Everybody knew that, but to see the real Jackie Robinson, you must de-emphasize him as a ball player and emphasize him as a civil rights leader. That part drops out, that which people forget. From his early army days, until well after his baseball days, Robinson had fought to achieve equality among whites and blacks. "Jackie acted out the philosophy of nonviolence of Martin Luther King Jr., before the future civil rights leader had thought of applying it to the problem of segregation in America"(Weidhorn 93). Robinson was an avid member of the NAACP and helped recruit members because of his fame from baseball. Jackie had leadership qualities and the courage to fight for his beliefs. Unwilling to accept the racism he had run into all his life, he had a strong need to be accepted at his true worth as a first-class citizen. Robinson was someone who would work for a cause - that of blacks and of America - as well as for himself and his team.
Whether it was on the football field, on the basketball court, or out on the baseball field, Robinson encountered quite a bit of success wherever he went. (cite) Despite the talents of many African American baseball players, many were deemed inferior to their white counterparts. The sense of inferiority led many baseball players and owners of the teams in the Negro leagues to adjust to the status quo, however, Robinson was not one to simply seek to fulfill the status quo. Robinson was unwilling to conform with what mainstream society tried to force him to conform with, he constantly told his teammates that they should always be ready, someday one of them would be signed to break the color barrier and play in organized ball (cite to pg 48). Unlike many of his peers, he felt a different calling in the sport of baseball.