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... 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 election. In 1964, New York aristocrat and Republican candidate Nelson Rockefeller named Jackie one of his six national campaign directors.
Unfortunately Rockefeller lost the nomination to Barry Goldwater, whom Jackie immensely disliked. In 1968, Jackie again accepted the opportunity to campaign for Humphrey, whom he had supported in 1960. However, given countless opportunities, Jackie never pursued a leadership role in either politics nor the church. He offered assistance, suggestions, endorsements, and even guidance to such leaders as Martin Luther King Jr. and Jesse Jackson. In 1962, Jackie traveled with Martin Luther King to Birmingham, where Sheriff Bull Conner was inflicting hostile intimidation to harass blacks.
They both spoke at church meetings and other protest rallies. A year later, Jackie urged Kennedy to provide King with Secret Service protection at his March On Washington speech. This was encouraged after the appalling murder of Mississippi By the late 60 s, Jackie had become more and more frustrated with the NAACP and he resigned from the organizations board of directors. He felt that the black establishment running the association was not radical enough and failed to attend to the efforts of the younger progressives (Scott 301). The association had become too absorbed in the bureaucratic structure and pursued a specialty in the courts.
He believed that it had lost its charismatic ability to organize community affairs and alienated the physical attributes it once had. Dozens of southern movements and organizations were forming rapidly and Jackie felt that they were replacing the Naacp's faded role in direct action. Jackie's political aspirations grew increasingly pessimistic as he aged, and, by the last year of his life, it seemed like he lost all hope. By then, he had grieved over the assassinations of John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Malcom X, Member Evers; and more importantly, Branch Rickey, his mother Male, and his son Jackie Junior. In a memorandum written to a Nixon aide, Jackie had predicted a violent revolution if immediate action on civil rights was not taken. Of course, Nixon had no intention of acting on this.
It is assumed, consequently, that Jackie was severely depressed about his life story. On October 24, 1972, in his New York townhome, Jackie Robinson died... the loneliest man. Jackie Robinsons legacy is the inspiration he gives to athletes, and for that matter, people of all colors. His pathbreaking entrance into the major leagues stands as a brilliant symbol of Americas struggle with racism and the hope for racial equality. His involvement in the fight for civil rights was an even greater demonstration of his perseverance.
We, the people of America, must face the struggle for racial harmony at its innermost evils, and follow the lead of such influential advocates, like Jackie. We were joined by a force that made us one. That force shone through the life of Jackie Robinson (Herzog 8). Bibliography: Books Adler, David A. Jackie Robinson: He Was the First. New York: Holiday House, 1989.
Denenberg, Barry. Stealing Home: The Story of Jackie Robinson. New York: Scholastic Books, 1990. Morris, Aldon D. The Origins of the Civil Rights Movement.
New York: The Free Press, 1984. p 191. Scott, Richard. Jackie Robinson. New York: The Chelsea House, 1987. Articles Davis, Hal.
The Court-Martial of Lt. Jackie Robinson. The National Law Journal, Vol 17 No. 3. Sept. 19, 1994. pA 12 Herzog, Brad.
A Home Run For the Ages. Sports Illustrated, Vol 84 No. 13. April 1, 1996. p 1 +.
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