Black History Month's Person of the Day: Jackie Robinson

[PurpleArmy]

Since this month is Black History Month, I am going to do something I did last year- post a short bio of a notable African American in American history. I think it's important to recognize those who have paved the way for others by being a pioneer in their respective fields or who have stood up for what they believed in.

I think Black History Month is a wonderful thing- it gives all of us the chance to learn something about important American citizens who all contributed something, in their own way, towards making African Americans as equal and important citizens in this country.

Whether they excelled in sports, were a civil rights activist, were a pioneer in their field, discovered something notable, or broke records, all of the people I am going to post about this month played a big part in making Black History Month necessary.

Today's Black History Month's Notable Person is Jackie Robinson.


Jackie Robinson Biography (1919–72)
Baseball Player

Jackie Robinson was the first African-American player to play major league baseball. He was born in Cairo, Georgia, USA. Excelling in sports at the University of California, Los Angeles, he became a star infielder and outfielder for the Brooklyn Dodgers (1947–56).

Largely responsible for the acceptance of black athletes in professional sports, he led the Dodgers to six National League pennants and one World Series, in 1955. He was Rookie of the Year in 1947, and league batting champion and Most Valuable Player in 1949.


http://www.africanamericans.com/images2/jackie_robinson.jpg

http://www.photofile.com/Photos/Albums/Whats_Hot_Page/Complete_List_Of_HOF_Cards/Robinson_Jackie_Supercard.jpg



Today's Black History Month quote:

"It doesn't matter who you are, or where you came from. The ability to triumph begins with you- always."
- Oprah Winfrey

[CarlE]

When are we going to have:

White History Month
Spanish History Month
German History Month
Gay History Month
Mexican History Month
Italian History Month
Greek History Month
Canadian History Month......

Well, I think you get the picture.

[Indiana95]

When are we going to have:

White History Month
Spanish History Month
German History Month
Gay History Month
Mexican History Month
Italian History Month
Greek History Month
Canadian History Month......

Well, I think you get the picture.

Why??:doh:

[Obie Wan]

I think it's important to recognize those who have paved the way for others by being a pioneer in their respective fields or who have stood up for what they believed in.
I presume you will soon be contributing a post to sing the praises of Branch Rickey?

BTW, those who insist on using using hypenated terms to identify certain sub-groups in our society do nothing to further the cause of true equality. We are all Americans. Period. No hyphen, no quantification, no ancestral identifier required.

[PurpleArmy]

I presume you will soon be contributing a post to sing the praises of Branch Rickey?

BTW, those who insist on using using hypenated terms to identify certain sub-groups in our society do nothing to further the cause of true equality. We are all Americans. Period. No hyphen, no quantification, no ancestral identifier required.

Actually, Branch Rickey WAS a notable person. He was very instrumental in breaking baseball's color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson, and later drafting the first Hispanic superstar, Roberto Clemente; and he also created the framework to the modern minor league farm system.

And I do not normally use the term "African-American" myself. I think it's kind of ridiculous. I use the term "black". However, I pretty much knew that no matter what term I used- or if I decided not to use a term at all- in reference to people who aren't white, I would be chastised in some way because of it.

It's pretty much par for the course that one of you- usually Al or Obie Wan- will pick apart anything and everything I say and make derogatory comments. So have at it with your childish behavior. I really don't care if you don't like the terminology I choose to employ.

Of course, you ARE entitled to your opinion, so please feel free to pick apart this thread or anything else I post about if it makes you feel superior in some weird way.

[PurpleArmy]

Why??:doh:
My thoughts exactly.

[Obie Wan]

Actually, Branch Rickey WAS a notable person. He was very instrumental in breaking baseball's color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson, and later drafting the first Hispanic superstar, Roberto Clemente; and he also created the framework to the modern minor league farm system.
Thank you for the biography - but some of us know of Branch Rickey and his accomplishments without reading wikipedia. The point (which you obviously missed) is that without Branch Rickey, there would be no Jackie Robinson.


And I do not normally use the term "African-American" myself. I think it's kind of ridiculous. I use the term "black". However, I pretty much knew that no matter what term I used- or if I decided not to use a term at all- in reference to people who aren't white, I would be chastised in some way because of it.
As you should be. Because your focus on heritage is nothing more that the soft bigotry of differentiation. As long as you continue to make the distinction, you are drawing attention to the differences rather than the similarities; you are making the contrast the focus of the identification.

[TigerLoverFromAfar]

I guess I am Caucasian- American then? Or would I be England -American since most "white" people came to America from England? Maybe I am Francian-American since my ancestors are from France...
Heck why even throw on the American part of it if you need to clarify that you feel you came from Africa, England, or France?

CarlE you are asking for it when you reply with something that could be construed as you having an opinion about race....:poke:

[PurpleArmy]

Let's keep this thread on topic and stop picking arguments. I would for once, like to participate in a thread where I'm not replied to with personal attacks and mud slinging. You guys need to know when it's time to quit bringing your personal issues about certain posters into every thread on here. Enough already.

If you want to continue to pout and hold your grudges, that's cool but it really has no place in a lot of threads on here anymore, as it's off topic, not to mention against the rules of the site.

I'm sure the moderators would appreciate it as well.

[Al.]

A certain member starts a new thread. The member asks for opinions and says, "of course you ARE entitled to your opinion, so please feel free to pick apart this thread." When other members respond with contrary opinions, said member takes offense. So why am I confused :help:

[Indiana95]

Dr. James E. West: Electret Microphone Inventor

Ninety percent of microphones used today are based on the ingenuity of James Edward West, an African-American inventor born in 1931 in Prince Edwards County, VA. If you’ve ever talked on the telephone, you’ve probably used his invention.

[Perry74]

Didn't Paul Brown while with the Browns actually have the first African American in any Pro sport with Marion Motley on the Browns in the early 50's?
Wasn't Bill Willis not long after Motley?

I don't think Brown gets his due for this, something he should be commended for.

[Al.]

Didn't Paul Brown while with the Browns actually have the first African American in any Pro sport with Marion Motley on the Browns in the early 50's? Wasn't Bill Willis not long after Motley?
I don't think Brown gets his due for this, something he should be commended for.

This link will answer some of your questions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Willis

[longtimefirsttime]

Yes Paul Brown was of the opinion if the guy could play then that was good enough for him. And obviously those guys could play.

[PurpleArmy]

A certain member starts a new thread. The member asks for opinions and says, "of course you ARE entitled to your opinion, so please feel free to pick apart this thread." When other members respond with contrary opinions, said member takes offense. So why am I confused :help:

Please find where I asked for anyone's opinion in my first post on this thread????

You won't.....because I didn't.

[PurpleArmy]

Perry74 and Indiana 95- thanks for your contributions to this thread. It's great that others want to participate and share information (which was the purpose of this thread- instead of making argumentative posts and acting childish.

Very classy of you both. :thumbsup: :thanx:

[GrowlingTiger87]

I guess I am German/Irish/English American...wait, screw it, I'm an AMERICAN, damnit!:wall:

[austinsm11]

When are we going to have:

White History Month
Spanish History Month
German History Month
Gay History Month
Mexican History Month
Italian History Month
Greek History Month
Canadian History Month......

Well, I think you get the picture.

:iagree:
But you know what would happen if there was!

Good points Obie Wan about us all being Americans.

[CarlE]

Why??:doh:

Why WHAT? For God's sake ask whatever it is you're trying to say.

[CarlE]

Please find where I asked for anyone's opinion in my first post on this thread????

You won't.....because I didn't.


What does it matter if it was your first post, second post, or 980th post. The point is that you said everyone is entitled to post their opinion.

[CarlE]

By the way, if this was such a big deal to you why did you wait until the middle of the month to start posting about it?

[Spize]

Please find where I asked for anyone's opinion in my first post on this thread????

You won't.....because I didn't.

I am sorry mods, and I fully expect and deserve the ban time I get for this but...



How much more obvious do some posters on here have to be about the fact that they do not like you? Why do you even bother to confront them, nothing is going to change. Many on this site feel that you are only here by a brief episode of temporary insanity caused by the good feelings of 2005's football season. To many here you perpetuate the stereotypes of "Trailer-Americans"

I am not posting this to be an a-hole, I am just sick of seeing you fight a battle on here that you aren't gonna win because their opinion of you is just not going to change, no matter what you say. So either ignore it and live on, or go back to the other website where calling Massillon a crack haven is acceptable.

P.S. I said that about as nicely as I could.

[Al.]

What does it matter if it was your first post, second post, or 980th post. The point is that you said everyone is entitled to post their opinion. God, get back on the meds.

Bingo: Thank you Carle. Her pattern is: She posts a topic. People sometimes respond. Those who take an opinion different than her's are "attacking her." It's like Groundhog Day over and over and over. :wall:

[PurpleArmy]

Many on this site feel that you are only here by a brief episode of temporary insanity caused by the good feelings of 2005's football season. .

Then, maybe you should take it up with obiefan, since it's his site and he's the one who let me back on here.

He obviously didn't have an issue with it, so if you upset with someone for "ruining" your site and letting me post, I don't think I'm the one you should be mad at. I don't make the decisions about who can and cannot post here.

Also, I follow the rules on here. I don't attack any other posters. So what's your problem with me being here, anyways???

I think it's hilarious that I bother some of you THAT much.

Oh...and this statement is pretty funny..."So either ignore it and live on." Just to be clear, Spize, I am not the one who can't seem to "ignore it and live on"...that would be some of the people from this site, not me. They won't let things go, so don't expect me to sit here and listen to this BS without responding.

[DragonTigerNemesis]

Oh...and this statement is pretty funny..."So either ignore it and live on." Just to be clear, Spize, I am not the one who can't seem to "ignore it and live on"...that would be some of the people from this site, not me. They won't let things go, so don't expect me to sit here and listen to this BS without responding.


The woman is correct.

People here are obsessed with it.

But it does make for good entertainment in the middle of winter.

:dance:

[PurpleArmy]

The woman is correct.

People here are obsessed with it.

But it does make for good entertainment in the middle of winter.

:dance:
:laughing:

That's for sure ( about it being good entertainment when there's nothing else to do.)

In any case, I hope that someday everyone will be able to get along.

[DAWGH8R]

http://purgatorio1.com/wp-content/pics/coexist1.jpg

[Indiana95]

Why WHAT? For God's sake ask whatever it is you're trying to say.

It was a rhetorical question, but you know exactly what.

[TigerLoverFromAfar]

Thank you Spize for your honesty. It is about time that someone expressed how I felt...:offtopic:
I am only reading and responding to this thread because CarlE emailed me and said that he'd be MY friend and buy me a beer when he gets into town too.:dance:

But did you know that the Hypertext was developed by a white man, Ted Nelson? Or that Douglas Englebart invented the "mouse" that many of us use every single day- BTW- he was a white man.
Did you know the compass was inventeed by a chinese man....???How about Kites, or spaghetti? Another Chinese man...
Did you know that a Russian invented the helicopter? You did not know that did you.?
Me neitheR..

The point is that I don't care who invented the fricking telephone- or what color he is. Color to me is just color- it doesn't represent who I am or how I think of others. It doesn't mean that you are wiser, or more apt to commit a crime to me- it just means that we are a different shade. PERIOD!
People who throw around the race card are the ones who like to cry that they were slaves, or that there job was taken by a minority, or that they are supporting someone who they suspect to be on welfare. This is why we have racism. Not because not enough people know about a stupid invention that makes our lives easier. Look a person to me is not their skin tone- it is who they are- how they represent themselves to me- how we interract together- how we communicate-not necessarily what we have in common.
Racism is a two way street. Until those of you who CLAIM to be non-racial stop throwing out topic starters like this expecting us all to celebrate heritage that isn't even yours...and think that we are gonna forget those AMERICANS who died on a field (often with no grave markers) so you could parade around our country making up names for yourselves OTHER THAN AMERICANS to feel better about your past or make us feel guilty for lives that we didn't lead....there will be racism.
As long as you see color. As long as you discuss color. As long as you feel that color makes you different. There will be racism.
I fully believe that African Americans are racist as well. What African American invented that? Or is that at the end of the month?

[monte81]

TLFA-- African Americans racist??? How do you figure that?? We are the one's streotyped all the time, still being killed for skin color in the South, being looked at funny everytime I go into Dillards or Macy's!! 43 years of the constitution saying we are equal does not make the over 400 hundred years salvary and racism right!!! I will acknowledge that some blacks resent whites for all the BS that happened in the past but the majority do not linger on about it but do want our credible and noteworthy accomplishments to be recognized and make better strides to build back up our communities! Pick up any book and you see chapter after chapter of white history but none about what my people have given to good Ol America--write the textbooks fair and equal and we would not need Black History month!! You grew up around alot of balcks and they never treated you wrong---you have said that yourself in other threads about people who you grew up with in Massillon!!!!!!

All you people hung up about white/black/mexicans, etc,.... better start worrying about the Iraqi's and Afganastan warriors taken over because we are losing the war because we are stupid for bickering and debating over stuff that Americans black or white should NEVER fight about anyway!! You think our soldiers have racial issues in Irag with each other--Hell no its about survival!! We all should be in survival mode right now--Please get it together for our children---they have enough instability to worry about from our government, misguided politicians, and dumb people who do not know how to act but say they are teaching kids how to handle life!!! For Real----don't we have other important things to do then crap on each other all the time!!
Massillon and surrounding cities will always have racism on both sides but the communities who rise above that and start living and working together on ALL issues will be the communities that are to prosper!!!! Think about this:

Little minds get little accomplished and I would think that by 2007 the citizens in Massillon would be thinking big time these days!!!! Alot of people need diversity/culteral awareness classes to enlighten minds!! Education sometimes erases racism but some will just never change---and they will be burning in hell on judgement day!

Our football team cannot play as ONE UNIT because they listen to this racial deviding from their mentors, family, boosters, and fans!!! Get it together people because we are losing it for our children of all races!!!!

[PurpleArmy]

TLFA-- African Americans racist??? How do you figure that?? We are the one's streotyped all the time, still being killed for skin color in the South, being looked at funny everytime I go into Dillards or Macy's!! 43 years of the constitution saying we are equal does not make the over 400 hundred years salvary and racism right!!! I will acknowledge that some blacks resent whites for all the BS that happened in the past but the majority do not linger on about it but do want our credible and noteworthy accomplishments to be recognized and make better strides to build back up our communities! Pick up any book and you see chapter after chapter of white history but none about what my people have given to good Ol America--write the textbooks fair and equal and we would not need Black History month!! You grew up around alot of balcks and they never treated you wrong---you have said that yourself in other threads about people who you grew up with in Massillon!!!!!!

All you people hung up about white/black/mexicans, etc,.... better start worrying about the Iraqi's and Afganastan warriors taken over because we are losing the war because we are stupid for bickering and debating over stuff that Americans black or white should NEVER fight about anyway!! You think our soldiers have racial issues in Irag with each other--Hell no its about survival!! We all should be in survival mode right now--Please get it together for our children---they have enough instability to worry about from our government, misguided politicians, and dumb people who do not know how to act but say they are teaching kids how to handle life!!! For Real----don't we have other important things to do then crap on each other all the time!!
Massillon and surrounding cities will always have racism on both sides but the communities who rise above that and start living and working together on ALL issues will be the communities that are to prosper!!!! Think about this:

Little minds get little accomplished and I would think that by 2007 the citizens in Massillon would be thinking big time these days!!!! Alot of people need diversity/culteral awareness classes to enlighten minds!! Education sometimes erases racism but some will just never change---and they will be burning in hell on judgement day!

Our football team cannot play as ONE UNIT because they listen to this racial deviding from their mentors, family, boosters, and fans!!! Get it together people because we are losing it for our children of all races!!!!

VERY well said, monte81! I'm interested to see how everyone else who has complained about the Black History Month threads respond to what you said.

I applaud you.

[DAWGH8R]

TLFA-- African Americans racist??? How do you figure that?? We are the one's streotyped all the time, still being killed for skin color in the South, being looked at funny everytime I go into Dillards or Macy's!! 43 years of the constitution saying we are equal does not make the over 400 hundred years salvary and racism right!!!



First off Monte,

You are not 43 years old yet. You were never subject to slavery.

For all the ANGRY BLACKS that want to cry and play the slavery card,

******************GO SCREW YOURSELVES********************

If you have a problem, take it south of the Mason Dixon line. I have FAMILY that DIED in the CIVIL WAR, fighting for the NORTH.

If it weren't for MY ancestors, and my neighbors ancestors, there still might be slavery today.

My FAMILY lost LIVES to fight for your cause. Slavery has been over for YEARS. I hate the EXCUSES I hear on a daily basis, for why racism exists.


As for getting looked at funny, when shopping at Macy's / Dillards, etc :::

Watch court TV once in a while, and see how many young black girls are on weekly for shoplifting. It's not sterotyping, it's percentages. Ever check the percentage of blacks among Ohio prisons ??? It's the highest !! WHY ??

Someone tell me why more blacks are incarcerated , than any other race .

That is WHY you are looked at funny. Kids like Billy Relford are why you are looked at funny. And black on black crime is TRULY a mystery to me ! WHY ?????

Once the Black race REALIZES that they are their own worst enemy, then and only then will things get better.

Does it help the black race that they commit the most crimes ?? I don't think so!

What came first, sterotyping , or the crimes that back it up ???

We need someone/anyone, to get through to the young black youth of today, before it's too late.

We live in a society that is affording ALL opportunities to blacks. Percentages at the workplace is the worst. Why must we hire a certain percentage of ANY race ?? Why not the best for the job ?? And black women have all the trump cards today, as they kill " 2 birds with one stone".

I NEVER owned a slave, my family NEVER owned a slave, and I lost FAMILY fighting for, and hiding/protecting the slaves.

So for all the angry/miffed/racist BLACKS out there,:

MY FAMILY SAYS: YOU ARE WELCOME !!

Now take your beef SOUTH of the MASON/DIXON line !!! :afro:

[CarlE]

Hey, don't bring it down here. It's peaceful in my hood.

[TigerLoverFromAfar]

man oh man- See what you cause PA when you want to stir the pot. And congratulations for finding a black poster to support your white rantings about slavery.

Monte- if you would have really read my thread than you would have read that I DO NOT HAVE A RACE PROBLEM- I agreed with what you said about people causing the racism, not the skin color. I did not sterotype blacks- I did not mention crime. I merely stated that there is racism, on both ends. You yourself said blacks blame whites for slavery- well I wasn't an owner, as far as I know I don't own any now- so I guess that lets me off the hook. Right? Or does that mean that blacks can hold me responsible and profile me as a racist because I am white- doesn't that kind of touchy when you asked "why do I get watched at Macy's and Dillards?" Isn't that saying that you believing I am a racist because at one time whites (not me) owned slaves but it is not acceptable for me to say that blacks are racist because they feel that way?
Monte- you know I did go to a mostly black school (actually I was one of 6 white kids in 6th grade-2 classes.) I got along well, simply because I am that type of girl. I adjusted from a ALL WHITE environment to Franklin back in the day. I can tell you that I was treated differently- that I lost part of who I was to fit in- but hey that's life.
I understand that slavery and black sufferage is a part of your past. It is what molded several parts of history. But come on, so you really want to glorify it more than it has to be?
Our children will learn what WE teach them. If you teach your kids hate, and long-suffering..than that is your free choice that DAWGH8TER's great great grandpa fought and died for. But as for me and my family, I tell my children, my little children that GOD made all of us. AND that the BIBLE (from which I teach my children-not a history book) tells us that GOD loves ALL PEOPLE, regardless of their Skin color. I teach my children that HARD work will get them through life, to treat EVERYONE that you meet with respect, to see through the COLOR of their skin, and that what someone looks like doesn't make them a good/bad person.
Look Monte- you missed the whole point of the problem with this thread. Nobody is discounting blacks, nobody is saying that it isn't important to learn about different heritages. We all were just saying that just perhaps the reasons SOME people started it were not pure of heart. Which is difficult to believe from that source. :laughing:
But you teach yours what you want, I'll teach mine what I want.
That's our right as AMERICANS.

BTW- I WAS BORN IN THE SOUTH.

[GrowlingTiger87]

We need someone/anyone, to get through to the young black youth of today, before it's too late.

The sad thing is, one of the few blacks that TRY to speak to the black youth is Bill Cosby, and he gets hung out to dry by those in his own race. But, hey, at least they have TO, Jesse Jackson, and Al Sharpton looking out for them.

I NEVER owned a slave, my family NEVER owned a slave, and I lost FAMILY fighting for, and hiding/protecting the slaves.

Which is why when I hear about reparations, I have to laugh, because it's a friggin joke.

So for all the angry/miffed/racist BLACKS out there,:

MY FAMILY SAYS: YOU ARE WELCOME !!

Now take your beef SOUTH of the MASON/DIXON line !!! :afro:

And I have no problems either. My God teaches me to be kind to all people, and that means ALL races, creeds, etc...


H8tr, thank you for this post. Monte, thank you for your post. We really do need to celebrate our similarities, instead of constantly embracing our differences. Until that day, racism will continue to rear its ugly head all too often.

[austinsm11]

Great Post DAWGH8R.

GT, completely agree with you about Bill Cosby. There was a black principal at one of our local schools. Black students and parents turned on him because he tried to keep them out of trouble and help them get an education. They felt he was too tough on him. They even called him an uncle tom and turned on him.

Down here the most racism that I see is the blacks towards the hispanics.

[Seeker]

Racism is, unfortunately, a part of human nature.

We ALL have to fight it, just like we do lust, greed and envy.

I think everyone has had their say.

Take it to PM's if you want to continue the conversations.

:deal: