Who is Jackie Robinson? Is he the first black major league baseball player? If the answer was no, would this essay “Free Minds and Hearts at Work” matter? The truth is Jackie Robinson was the first black major league ball player, but that is not why his essay matters. The essay matters because of its context. When writing this essay, Jackie Robinson was able to use his first hand experiences of prejudice and racism in baseball to offer hope that America could progress further than sports, as long as ideas were forward thinking.
Jackie’s aim focused on the fact that all humans are indeed imperfect, but as humans it is important to strive to be perfect. Robinson is able to make logical approach to racism, by comparing it as if it were America’s handicap. Baseball was not perfect when Robinson came into the league, but it did get better. “Free Minds and Hearts at Work” circles around the idea that what happens today can only make the future look brighter.
It is not too far off to look at this piece parallel to what is happening today. As Barak Obama moves closer to his chance at the presidency, one can only think that the vision of Robison was the groundwork for this to happen.
“Thank You Mr. Robinson”. I saw those words on a billboard not too long ago; actually it was about a year ago. Major League Baseball was commemorating something bigger than baseball; last season was the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s first season in the major leagues. Those words, “Thank You Mr. Robinson”, were not about baseball, much in the same sense that a man who made his career as a professional ball player is not remembered for playing baseball.
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4 comments:
I was actually very touched by this rhetorical analysis, which I didn't know one of these could have that affect on me. I also thought that the metaphor sighting racism as America's handicap was very well put.
I think you nailed this analysis. The article was one that was meant to be touching and serious. It was not just about Major League Baseball as you said, but about America and Humanity. I loved how you touched on America's Handicap, and was jealous I didn't do so in my own analysis!
Wow! I love how you connected the dated article to an important issue today (obama running for president). I think that you pulled all the right points from the article to analyze. Also, I'm glad that you added the fact of Robinson's 60th anniversary. It added to your ability to link the article to more current issues.
I think that it's very interesting that you brought up the point that Jackie Robinson wasn't remembered for playing baseball, but rather for the step that he made towards a brighter future for us all. It's true that no one really remembers much more about his career other than that he was the first black Major Leagues baseball player. I wonder too if Barak Obama, if elected as president, would be remembered for the things that he does to better our country or for just being the first black president of the United States? And in that sense, I guess that being the first black president would better our country in another step toward equality.
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