Jackie Robinson's Achievements - Assignment Example

This achievement was not easy for Robinson who had to abide by the agreement he had made with Rickey that he would not be provoked or would retaliate by taunts from the white players and from the white fans. Jackie Robinson also served in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1944. On completion of the basic training, Jackie applied for Officer Candidate School (OCS). Again due to racial discrimination, Jackie was denied the opportunity and with the intervention of Joe, Louis Robinson was admitted. In Texas where he was assigned as the second lieutenant, Robinson was faced with racial discrimination and predating Rosa Parks, Robinson refused to give up his seat on a military bus and move to the back.

For this, he was court marshaled on trumped-up charges, as segregated seating on military buses had been outlawed. Robinson was acquitted and later received an honorable discharge. (Denenberg, 1990)   When I think of Robinson as a baseball player, the daring base runner sliding into base, this image provides a sense of power, speed, passion, and determination. Like Sidney Poitier who against all odds played black characters under intense pressure in the white world still maintaining dignity and respect for mankind and also Mahatma Gandhi who marched his nonviolent civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s and till date are remembered for their commitment and respect for humanity and society.

  After leaving baseball, Robinson had little to do with the sport and turned to business, where he met both success and failure; to politics, where his record was also mixed; and to civic affairs and racial justice. He was a frequent spokesman on civil rights. 1960 he campaigned for Richard Nixon and worked for New York's Republican governor Nelson Rockefeller.   Today’s world is filled with economic turmoil, hatred, terror, AIDS, diseases, and divorces. Jackie Robinson's life should be mirrored among all youth as they are the future citizens of the world.

Terrorism has divided societies, families and the world wherein religion and murder have become a part and parcel of everyday life. Like Jackie who stood his ground and fought for his individual rights and freedom, we must fight against discrimination and enforcement of man-made laws that bring about war and division. We are all born free and thus must enforce this freedom in facing our democratic rights. Everything that happens in our world has a vital purpose to it, and modern advancement is no exception.

Reading about Jackie has kindled my spirits and fortitude to make a difference and thus influence others to join in our struggle against terror and hatred.   Actually, I think the problem starts right from childhood for today’s children are constantly reminded about hatred for other communities, violence everywhere, and there are not taught about peace. Ultimately children when attaining adulthood comes a lesser degree of feelings for others as well as a comparatively lower level of understanding for peace and brotherhood.

  Jackie Robinson my role model who has inspired me to go ahead in life performing tasks that I think are right irrespective of what others feel. But here again, my future actions must neither hurt nor discriminate humanity. As Jackie Robinson is a ‘HERO’ we also can be heroes in our won way for:    ……….And then a hero comes along With the strength to carry on              And you cast your fears aside And you know you can survive              So when you feel like hope is gone             Look inside you and be strong            And you'll finally see the truth That a hero lies in you……….

Remember Jackie Robinson achievements are National junior college record in the long jump; the first student at UCLA to earn four varsity letters in one year; leading ground gainer in college football, 1939; International League Batting Title, 1946; voted National League Rookie of the Year, 1947; led league in stolen bases, 1947 and 1949; National League MVP, 1949; National League Batting Title, 1949; made National League All-Star Team, 1949-54; NAACP Spingarn Medal, 1956; elected to Baseball Hall of Fame, 1962………..I would continue such achievements with mine.

(Denenberg, 1990)