The My Hero Project - Jackie Robinson

LINCOLNBICENTENNIAL HERO:
JACKIE ROBINSON
by Colton from Roland

Abraham Lincoln and Jackie Robinson were very different, yet very alike. Both men were scorned for their appearance. Lincoln was sometimes called “Honest Ape” because of his unusual height and long, slender limbs. Robinson had to face the humiliation of segregation. Lincoln was against slavery because he knew what it was like to be treated badly just for the way he looked. Robinson had a hard life just as Lincoln did. He was born in to a poor family, who simply didn't have enough money for an education. They were both very athletic, but Jackie played baseball while Abe wrestled. They both opened new doors for African-Americans. Lincoln who abolished slavery and Jackie with baseball. But without Lincoln, there would have been no chance for Jackie Robinson to have introduced black players to the Major Leagues.

Jackie played football semi-professionally but his career was cut short because of the start of World War II. Jackie Robinson served in the army, but was honorably discharged after arguing with a superior officer about his segregation from the other troops. He was court marshaled because he refused to go to the back of a segregated bus during training. He never saw combat.

After the war, Jackie played professional baseball in the Negro Leagues until Branch Rickey, the manager of Brooklyn Dodgers, invited him to play for the Montreal Royals, a farm team at the time. Jackie faced the most hardships at this time. He was jeered more at away games than home games. He had an excellent season though, with a .349 batting average and a .985 fielding average, and because of this, he was promoted to the major leagues. On April 15, 1947 he played his first game in the major leagues. He became one of the best players and provided a way for black people to get into the “Great American game.” It is interesting to note that the first official rules of baseball were allegedly established at the time of the Civil War by a Union official, Albert Doubleday.

Lincoln had a difficult life of poverty and hardship but his unwavering curiosity led him to become one of the best presidents of all time. He struggled to do many things and often failed, but he never gave up. This trait he will always have in common with Jackie. He was an inspiration to everyone. He knew that he wasn't perfect and that the world wasn't perfect, yet he persevered in the hope that someday maybe, it could come closer.

Lincoln owned a store once, but it failed and he was in a great debt. He never looked back though, and kept right on trying. After it failed, he was elected as a postmaster and during this time he began to study law. He then became a senator of Illinois and helped move its capital from Vandalia to Springfield. He tried a couple of times to be a senator, and when he finally became one he did a very good job. His personal life was hard on him with his mother dying when he was young, and the passing of two of his sons. Even though all these things happened to him, his optimism helped him keep his head up high.

Jackie had to put up with many spiteful things such as being forced to eat a sandwich alone on the bus while the rest of his teammates ate in fine luxury. Not once did Jackie throw a punch or respond to any of the hateful things said to him. Branch Rickey must have known that Jackie could endure the ridicule when he hired him. He knew that Jackie had to not only be brave enough to take all the abuse but good enough to silence them once and for all.

Although they never met, history has intertwined the legacies of Abraham Lincoln and Jackie Robinson in an ironic way. They will both live on as heroes and great pioneers as long as this country survives.>

Written by Colton from Roland

This story has been submitted by a guest user and does not necessarily represent the views of The My Hero Project or its staff.

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