Martin Luther King Jackie Robinson Essay - 1,121 words

... al statement in a speech in Paris. Robeson, alongside Robinson, stated (something to the effect) that, it would be unthinkable for black Americans to fight in a war against Russia because blacks were treated better in Russia than they were in the United States (Scott 227). In retaliation, the House Un-American Activities Committee assembled hearings in which they subpoenaed other prominent African Americans to testify about Robeson's statement. The first one they called was Jackie Robinson. Not eager to testify, but knowing full well that refusing to cooperate with the HUAC might result in the termination of his athletic career, Jackie, with encouragement by the Dodger organization, agreed to testify.


In his testimony, Jackie halfheartedly opposed the statement made by Robeson in Paris. He said that Robeson's comments, if quoted accurately, were ridiculous. However, Jackie spent the majority of his testimony condemning racism in America. The next witness followed Jackie's example, refusing to denounce Robeson. The hearings adjourned without further HUAC actions. This particular circumstance damaged his reputation and further encouraged hatred toward him in his playing days.


Jackie never regretted his testimony. Twenty years later in his autobiography, I Never Had It Made, he admitted that he had grown wiser and closer to the painful truths about Americas destructiveness. He wrote that he always respected Robeson, who sacrificed himself, his career, and the wealth and comfort he once enjoyed... I believe he was sincerely trying to help his people (Denenberg 171). It was quite often that Jackie was characterized as a conservative Republican, in regard to political affiliation. On the contrary.


I guess youd call me an independent, since Ive never identified myself with one party or another in politics, Robinson said. I always decide my vote by taking as careful a look as I can at the actual candidates and issues themselves, no matter what the party label happens to be (Scott 173). He believed that it was important that blacks have representation in both political parties to ensure that their support would not be Jackie, after his retirement from baseball, became a businessman and a radical civil rights participant. In 1954, he founded and operated the first black-owned bank in New York City and became active in the NAACP. He became one of the organizations main speakers at fund raisers and gatherings.


He served as chairman of the Freedom Fund Drive, helping them raise $ 1 million for Thurgood Marshall and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Jackie was even awarded the Naacp's Spingarn Medal in 1956 for his meritorious service to the black community. In 1957, Jackie became upset with President Eisenhower and his reluctance to enforce the civil rights laws, especially the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court decision mandating integration.


He wrote countless petitions and letters encouraging Eisenhower's persistence. In 1960, Jackie supported Senator Hubert Humphreys bid for the Democratic nomination. He was disappointed when Humphrey lost the nomination to Kennedy, but assured both Kennedy and Nixon that his support was up for grabs. He met with both candidates and was disappointed when Kennedy told him that, being from Massachusetts, he didnt know much about the problems and grievances of blacks. Therefore, by default, he threw his support to Nixon and even campaigned for him in the general elect ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Essay Tags: civil rights, robinson, jackie robinson, jackie, martin luther king

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