Jackie Robinson: Taking a Bat to Prejudice
Today we celebrate Jackie Robinson on his birthday. He would have been 93. Columnist George Will wrote an amazing article about him: “Like many New Yorkers leaving home for work on April 15, 1947, he wore a suit, tie and camel-hair overcoat as he headed for the subway. To his wife he said, ‘Just in case you have trouble picking me out, I'll be wearing number 42.’
No one had trouble spotting the black man in the Dodgers' white home uniform when he trotted out to play first base at Ebbets Field. Suddenly, only 399, not 400, major league players were white. Which is why 42 is the only number permanently retired by every team.” Read the rest of Will’s moving tribute to Jackie. Jackie was a spark that reignited American dialogue on race. Because of Jackie, we live closer today to the precept that “all men are created equal.” But we still have a ways to go. For more tips, try these 10 ways to teach your children not to be prejudiced.
