16 Apr '09 15:34>
Was thinking about how people say jackie broke the colour barrier. I don't think so. Here's why.
There were lots of black guys that wanted to play in the major leagues before him but weren't allowed. Jackie didn't one day just storm onto the field and say, "I"m playing and it's as simple as that!"
No, quite different actually. Jackie was ALLOWED to play by a bunch of white guys. White guys allowed Jackie to play. Therefore white guys allowed the colour barrier to be broken. All Jackie did was do what he was told by white guys.
At best, I'd say Jackie AGREED to break the colour barrier.
It's a small distinction, I know, but how much credit/hoopla do the white guys that made the decision get?
To me, Rosa Parks is more hero than Jackie Robinson.
There were lots of black guys that wanted to play in the major leagues before him but weren't allowed. Jackie didn't one day just storm onto the field and say, "I"m playing and it's as simple as that!"
No, quite different actually. Jackie was ALLOWED to play by a bunch of white guys. White guys allowed Jackie to play. Therefore white guys allowed the colour barrier to be broken. All Jackie did was do what he was told by white guys.
At best, I'd say Jackie AGREED to break the colour barrier.
It's a small distinction, I know, but how much credit/hoopla do the white guys that made the decision get?
To me, Rosa Parks is more hero than Jackie Robinson.