"In remembering him, I tend to de-emphasize him as a ballplayer and emphasize him as an informal civil rights leader. That's the part that drops out, that people forget." - Rachel Robinson
Legacy in Civil Rights
Jackie Robinson continues to be recognized for his role in gaining acceptance of African-Americans and bringing equality in many areas beyond baseball. In 2005, he was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal
of honor posthumously. It's the highest
honor the legislative can bestow on a civilian.
President Bush commented, "His
story is one that shows what one person can do to hold America to account to
its founding promise of freedom and equality," Bush said. "It's a
lesson for people coming up to see. One person can make a big difference in
setting the tone of this country." (usatoday.com). The award was given
in recognition for how he changed America.
"He knew he was a symbol and
a barrier-breaker, and that staying the course would have consequences for
millions of people to come," said Rep. Mel Watt, D-NC, chairman of the
Congressional Black Caucus (usatoday.com).
Robinson's passion in advocating for disadvantaged youth continues today though his legacy. He worked with kids before he became well known in sports. However, his fame from baseball made him a role model and allowed him to reach many more children, giving them hope and encouragement. Robinson commented in an interview "'Before I went in the Army, I worked for the National Youth Administration and I discovered then that I wanted to work with kids as a career.' Robinson said he receives an average of about 300 letters a week from Negro youngsters seeking his advice. All of them, he said, are answered." - New York Times.
Following his death, the Jackie Robinson Foundation was instituted by his wife, Rachel, to honor his life and provide college scholarships to disadvantaged students of color. "With an average of 250 students enrolled in the program annually, JRF has had many years of success and experience with a diverse minority student population matriculating at between 90 and 100 colleges and universities across the country, varying slightly from year to year." (jackierobinson.org). The foundation, "awards students $24,000/four-year scholarship to attend the four–year accredited college or university of their choice." (jackierobinson.org).
In addition, Major League baseball created an educational program in 1997 called "Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life" that has reached 22 million young students, teaching them about the obstacles faced by Robinson in breaking the color barrier. "The program culminates with students writing essays that illustrate how they were able to overcome obstacles or barriers in their own lives through the example set forth by Jackie Robinson, focusing on nine values: courage, teamwork, determination, persistence, integrity, citizenship, justice, commitment and excellence." (mlb.com) The program focuses on overcoming obstacles in more than just sports just as Robinson did. An MLB educational consultant who founded the program explains, "We all have obstacles in our lives, and we have to have a support mechanism to deal with our obstacles and a belief that we can overcome them," said Robinson. "It's not even how large they are, or whether it's a physical illness, it is a concept that you meet a hurdle head-on. It doesn't necessarily mean you have conquered the issue, but you're dealing with it. That's what we're really looking for, that they believe." (mlb.com)
Robinson's passion in advocating for disadvantaged youth continues today though his legacy. He worked with kids before he became well known in sports. However, his fame from baseball made him a role model and allowed him to reach many more children, giving them hope and encouragement. Robinson commented in an interview "'Before I went in the Army, I worked for the National Youth Administration and I discovered then that I wanted to work with kids as a career.' Robinson said he receives an average of about 300 letters a week from Negro youngsters seeking his advice. All of them, he said, are answered." - New York Times.
Following his death, the Jackie Robinson Foundation was instituted by his wife, Rachel, to honor his life and provide college scholarships to disadvantaged students of color. "With an average of 250 students enrolled in the program annually, JRF has had many years of success and experience with a diverse minority student population matriculating at between 90 and 100 colleges and universities across the country, varying slightly from year to year." (jackierobinson.org). The foundation, "awards students $24,000/four-year scholarship to attend the four–year accredited college or university of their choice." (jackierobinson.org).
In addition, Major League baseball created an educational program in 1997 called "Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life" that has reached 22 million young students, teaching them about the obstacles faced by Robinson in breaking the color barrier. "The program culminates with students writing essays that illustrate how they were able to overcome obstacles or barriers in their own lives through the example set forth by Jackie Robinson, focusing on nine values: courage, teamwork, determination, persistence, integrity, citizenship, justice, commitment and excellence." (mlb.com) The program focuses on overcoming obstacles in more than just sports just as Robinson did. An MLB educational consultant who founded the program explains, "We all have obstacles in our lives, and we have to have a support mechanism to deal with our obstacles and a belief that we can overcome them," said Robinson. "It's not even how large they are, or whether it's a physical illness, it is a concept that you meet a hurdle head-on. It doesn't necessarily mean you have conquered the issue, but you're dealing with it. That's what we're really looking for, that they believe." (mlb.com)