Breaking the Barrier
In 1947, Jackie Robinson broke the Major League Baseball's "color barrier" by becoming the first African-American to play in the major leagues in the 20th century. At the time, segregation was still a huge part of American society. It was why many players didn't want him to play in the Majors. It had nothing to do with his skill level or personality, it was solely on the color of his skin. Jackie took the insults and death threats to evolve into one of baseball's greatest players of all time. In his first season, he won the National League Rookie of the Year award and helped the Dodgers to the National League Championship (1st of his 6 trips to the World Series). In 1949, Robinson won the league MVP award and he was later inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. With his courage and dignity, he helped set way for the civil rights movement and brought the American Dream within reach of million of black Americans.
Jackie Robinson is a great example of the American Dream because no matter how hard his life was, he never let it get in his way of achieving his main goal, of becoming a Major League Baseball player. At an early age, he fought battles with prejudice. He also grew up in relative poverty, and Robinson and his minority friends were always excluded from many recreational opportunities. He proved other people that blacks were equal to whites and should be treated the same way and the way they would want to be treated. Breaking the color barrier in baseball gave hope to millions and gave everyone their dreams.
Jackie Robinson is a great example of the American Dream because no matter how hard his life was, he never let it get in his way of achieving his main goal, of becoming a Major League Baseball player. At an early age, he fought battles with prejudice. He also grew up in relative poverty, and Robinson and his minority friends were always excluded from many recreational opportunities. He proved other people that blacks were equal to whites and should be treated the same way and the way they would want to be treated. Breaking the color barrier in baseball gave hope to millions and gave everyone their dreams.