The content in this piece might not be new and original, but retelling this historical narrative in a way that keeps its integrity is quintessential especially given the political times seeking to whitewash history. We must recognize that this upcoming Monday remains a monumental day, not only in our nation’s history, but also within the tapestry that weaves and shapes our present and future. April 15th is truly significant because the day transcends the mundane as Tax Day and reaches beyond the bustling energy that comes from the pleasant and enjoyable spring weather.
The profundity lies in a pivotal moment 77 years ago with a “Noble Experiment,” of having a young man step onto the baseball diamond at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York. That afternoon in 1947, the crowd of 26,623 witnessed history, firsthand, by seeing the Major League Baseball (MLB) playing debut of a 28-year-old. The history at the forefront of this Tuesday matinee helped change the trajectory of not only the Dodger rookie but also altered the future of an entire nation.
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De jure and de facto racial segregation governed life in the United States. There was, for example, “an unspoken agreement in baseball that no one will sign a black player.” Branch Rickie, the General Manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers held a strong conviction that segregation was unethical and therefore, confidently strategized to pave the way for Jackie Robinson to shatter the racial barrier in the major leagues. Doing so, served to move America in a direction where the races could be free to commune and live life.
Yet, “[b]ack in the days when integration wasn’t fashionable,” the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote, “[Jackie,] underwent the trauma and the humiliation and the loneliness that comes with being a pilgrim walking the lonesome byways toward the high road of Freedom. He was a sit-inner before sit-ins, a freedom rider before freedom rides.”
King’s words come from the realities Robinson not only rose above as the first Black to play in the major leagues, but the fortitude to play at a very high level to earned great success. Robinson spoke on the dark side of his pioneering experience in his 1972 autobiography, I Never Had It Made.
He wrote that he was the target of insults, taunts, and other forms of torrent abuse and bigotry including race baiting, all of which were all part of the nastiness affronting his dignity. “To hell with Mr. Ricky’s ‘noble experiment’” a frustrated Robinson wrote and continued with, “It’s clear it won’t succeed…My best is not good enough for them…[And] [t]o hell with the image of the patient black freak I was supposed to create.” Although Robinson achieved great success in an unwelcoming environment, by sharing his vulnerability from such indignities, he reminds us that he is not superhuman, but shares his humanity.
Robinson became an inspiration, especially amongst Black people and remains an important historical figure. The integrity of his historical legacy must remain pure and not fall victim to any sort of attack to misconstrue historical accuracy. His legacy must not fall victim to distortion as it can become easy to associate Robinson with “exceptionalism,” or “Black Exceptionalism,” – for the purposes of this work is to center focus on the outcome of a Black person achieving in a predominantly White space despite the significant and unique factors that contribute to work against them as they seek to advance in their careers.
To illustrate, consider the Black professoriate. Firmly established within the research literature are the unique and distinct challenges Black faculty encounter at predominantly White colleges and universities. One distinct challenge is the use of student evaluations as a critical metric in job performance. Despite the evidence conclusively proving the use of student evaluations as a faulty teaching evaluation instrument, many colleges and universities maintain steadfast conviction to the practice. To defend the metric, decision makers hide behind its fault by acknowledging the instrument is not whole but and will state it is the best instrument available, or flippantly saying it’s the one they employ. They will also state it provides students with a voice. A voice for them to express their perceptions. Administrators value student perception over fact, which is severely problematic.
Administrators can point to a “successful” Black faculty member who may not have experienced the challenges associated with the issue, to discredit the claims of Black faculty who encountered the opposite experience. The assertions against student evaluations, along with the documented claims become mere excuses, unfounded accusations, and the sort. In turn, nullifying the evidence found in the literature, these decisionmakers feed into the notion of exceptionalism, which ignores, dismisses, or discounts not only the evidence, but lived experiences as well. Therefore, insinuating that the complaints and claims are a result of the individual and not symptomatic of anything larger.
Sure, for some Blacks, they may not have the same experience as their Black colleagues, but in Jackie Robinson’s case, he became accomplished not because he was immune of the realities of being Black, but rather despite those challenges. Robinson, himself, however, fully acknowledges difficulties he encountered. Again, simply looking at the title of his book ought to suffice.
Jackie Robinson displayed courage and character, but the satiny of his legacy must be preserved so that he can continue to be a symbol, or a source, of achievement in a level playing field. Actively gaining awareness about the inequities that exist can serve to remove obstacles. Simply trusting and believing what, in this case, Black faculty are saying are important steps. Establishing a process where at its core has equity to fairly consider various situations, circumstances, and realities that are unique to the individual’s experience.
Thank you, Jackie Robinson, for being you and for helping to pave a way for us to achieve. We must be sure to safeguard your legacy.