The Express

While attending school John did not only get good grades, he played basketball. The people in the African American culture in the 1960’s believed that the only way for a black person to get into college was to play sports for “the white man.” With many African Americans having this mind set, it pushed John to excel on

Alvin Ailey (1931-1989) grew up in a time of racial segregation, discrimination and violence against

2. Jackie Robinson’s life changed when he became the first black man to play in the world series and Major League Baseball (MLB) during a time of segregation in America. These life-changing events challenged him because he had to face racially tense crowds and endured threats from teammates, opponents, and bigoted fans. For example in paragraph three, the text states, “Some of my own teammates refused to accept me because I was black.” This quote explains a negative portraying event that comes upon Jackie Robinson. Also in paragraph three the text states, “There were threats against me and my family and even out-and-out attempts and physical harm to me.” This explains how Jackie felt uneasy about how the whites were trying to put Jackie down. Despite the racism he faced, Robinson learned to have pride in his accomplishments and appreciate the courage, support, and love shown by his supporters. For example, in paragraph eleven, the text states, “I don’t think I’ll ever forget that small, shrill voice of a tiny white kid, in the midst of a racially tense atmosphere during an early game in a Dixie town, cried out, “Attaboy, Jackie.” This explains how because of one his supporters was cheering him on he felt he had to succeed even if most people wouldn’t accept him. Jackie’s challenges made him a popular name to remember in the Major Leagues today.

Segregation is not only in schools or on buses but at stores, restaurants, water fountains, just about anything. A man named Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for blacks to have their rights. Martin Luther King Jr. didn’t want to fight with violence he wanted to fight with peace and love. He believed that if blacks took the high road and didn’t fight back it would draw good attention towards the movement. Martin Luther king was arrested during a march and in jail he wrote a letter called “ a letter from a Birmingham jail”. He wrote the letter on toilet paper and it was smuggled from out of the jail. Martin Luther King Jr. was famous for many things like his preachings of love but he was mostly famous for his “ I Have A Dream” speech which was given on the March on Washington for jobs and Freedom. Not all people agreed with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. about non violent protest. People like Malcolm X. Malcolm X believed that black people need to get their rights by “ any means necessary” Malcolm X was a prominent black leader. Like Martin Luther King

In Spite of the devastating history of segregation in the United States. A lot has changed in the past fifty years since segregation ended. The United States shifted from arresting African Americans for using “white only” facilities to integrated schools all over the country. Influential individuals such as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr helped pave the way for African Americans to live as equals to along with their white counterparts in the United States of America.

Growing up as an African American during a time of discrimination and segregation in the United States took a lot of bravery. Blacks who grew up during this era were constantly pushed around, patiently awaiting the day they could use the same bathroom as a White man. One of the first men to help break this barrier is Jackie Robinson. Unlike the great MLK, Robinson was able to fight for change with something other than his words; he broke down segregation in America with a bat and a glove.

Muhammad Ali once said, "Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating. It's just plain wrong.” Muhammad Ali stood for the common black man, so did Jackie Robinson. Both of these men were professional athletes, two different sports, baseball and boxing, were changed forever because of these men. They both broke segregation barriers not only in their profession but also outside the field and ring. Both these men had some similarities but overall had more differences whether it was their profession, who they were influenced by, or their involvement with war.

The article Higher Education by Gary Smith is about a basketball coach who changed the lives of a whole community. Perry Reese Jr. was a black basketball coach in Berlin, Ohio which used to be one of the most Amish settlements in America. Many in the town wrote him off because of their racist views. What they didn’t know was that one day he was going to be the man that created magic in that small community. He was not only a coach but someone who genuinely cared for all of these people, breaking the traditional views of segregation and life all together.

“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives,” claimed Jackie Robinson. This is what he wanted to do in his life and what he wished people would follow this motto such as he did. He managed to change a whole community that didn’t let color mix, and treated his people as lesser being that weren't truly equal. To this day in present time we can see many african americans playing alongside caucasians in all sports and being equals. One cause and effect was when President Harry Truman issued Executive Order 9982 not to long after Jackie integrated into the MLB, to abolish discrimination between races in the armed forces. And now african americans play major roles in the sports industry, such as one famous african american baseball player Derek Jeter, if Jackie didn't step i to help break the color barrier we might not have people like Derek Jeter on MLB

The 1950’s was an era of jazz music, the Korean War just around the corner, and the greatest invention ever; bubble wrap. If one were to look into America from the outside during this time, the U.S. would seem like an utopia, but when you dig deeper, a bigger issue comes to life. African Americans had been fighting against racial discrimination for centuries; during the 1950s, however, the struggle against racism and segregation entered the mainstream of American life. In the midst of all the struggle, one man made his mark on history, on the biggest stage possible; Major League Baseball. His name? Jackie Robinson. Despite being an astound baseball player, Robinson influenced more than just the game of baseball, he was also strong advocate of the Civil Rights Movement.

Before even coming to America, he would always hear stories about how racist and discriminant the educational system was which worried him; he knew that leaving his country and moving out here on his own was a big risk. Even though schools were desegregated, it was still completely split between White people and Colored people. Although he did not remember the name, he discussed the Brown v. Board of Education case and how that was very important to him because even though he was not Black, he still faced a few of the same struggles. As a Brown man, he experienced a lot of racism; from racial slurs being yelled at him to actually getting jumped on his way home. Although he struggled to fit in, he was able to form really solid friendships with people; especially through the love of rock and roll and

In the 1950’s, many outspoken African Americans booed the issues that were occurring at the time. Earl Lloyd was one of the many. Nat Clifton, Charles Henry Cooper and Earl Lloyd were all important factor to the desegregation of whites and African Americans in basketball. Even though these three men were not the only ones who changed history for African Americans, they surely made a dent in the history books. Throughout the 1950’s a great amount of African Americans were facing segregation issues. Not only was there segregation in sport, but also in the communities, schools, etc. Ruth Batson once said, “ The word that I’m objecting to is segregation. As long as you talk about segregation I won't discuss this.” (Fayer, Flynn, Hampton

Imagine having bottles thrown at you, numerous racial slurs yelled at you, and pitchers throwing the ball at you head when you were up to bat. Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. He underwent many hardships in order to play the game he loved. Many whites hated the idea of an African American playing on the same team that whites played on. Despite all the hatred he received from the crowd and the other teams, he often was able to keep his emotions under control and play the game he loved. People of different races have fought against discrimination to be seen as an equal by the people that feel superior.

In the beginning of his high school football career, he is being scouted by schools because he is so amazing at the sport. This is where we see the Syracuse football coach going through players and denying them until he comes across Ernie. Despite Ernie being black, he begs for him to join the team, BUT this does not mean that the coach is not racist. He does say some questionable

It was a challenge because he had to make his team forget the segregation and prejudice around them and play football with respect for each other, as friends. In the end, the players did come together as a team, but the world tried to tear them apart. This movie is about defying tradition and doing what is right. The players and the coaches too, had to forget what they had been taught since they were children, and treat those of a different race as they would want to be treated.