April 15, 1947

"There's not an American in this country free until every one of us is free."-Jack Roosevelt Robinson

A visual learner? Check this out.

When the history of the American Empire is written in 1000 years, there should be a special section written about the Civil Rights movement and it’s impact on the course of events around the world. Pinpointing a starting point for the movement is impossible, because it began in the hearts and minds of millions of people seeking justice in a land of tyranny.

As a sports fanatic like me, who admires the social justice movements in America with an often passing fancy, I believe it is imperative to view April 15, 1947 as a crucial day in the progression of all mankind. It was of course on this day that Jackie Robinson played his first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers, becoming the first black man to play Major League Baseball since Moses Fleetwood Walker in 1889.

By playing, Robinson destroyed the “gentlemen’s agreement” (Doublespeak-19th century style), by the owners of the Major League Baseball teams to deny blacks the opportunity to play in MLB, first by playing in the Dodgers minor league system with the Montreal Royals in 1946.

The symbolism of this event has long penetrated the deep seeded separation of Americans based on race. Robinson’s impact on race relations in America in many ways is on par with the later Civil Rights giants Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. This goes well beyond baseball.

In July of 1944, Robinson refused to move to the back of a military bus. This was 10 years before Rosa Parks helped set off the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Robinson was later found innocent in his court martial hearing for the act of “insubordination”. I am confident Robinson was destined to play a roll in improving America if he played baseball or not. Robinson inspired the next generation of black Americans to stand up to the injustices in America.

However, Robinson did play baseball. He performed at such a high caliber that he virtually changed the way the game would be played for generations to come. Robinson was a base stealin, a free wheelin defensive wizard, while also being an OPS machine. He was a wonderful combination of the best of the traditional and Moneyball styles that dominate today’s game.

The shananigans of the past week have shown that as a nation the United States of America has failed in its promise to promote equality through our commercial entertainment and legal system.

"Modern man is motivated not by the potential goodness in our hearts, but the agendas that energize us into action."=The Prez

Celebrating Jackie Robinson is crucial to continuing Americas goals and recognizing our past. In the course of human events, such practices bring together the best of our nature and unique elements of what energizes us. 60 years later, a new generation of Americans must be inspired by Jackie Robinson. April 15, 2007 must be the start of something important.



Next Time, the adventures of Tankman.

Strength and Honor.......