In 1942 Jackie Robinson was drafted into the segregated Army cavalry unit in Fort Riley, Kansas. He became an officer in the unit and began to fight for African-American’s rights. In a post room he was disturbed how blacks and whites seat were segregated and blacks had a considerable about less seats than whites. He filed a complaint to Washington about segregation in the army and Washington responded by having Jackie talking to a racist white captain. When Jackie complained to higher officials they responded and made the sitting room equal amount for blacks and whites. When Jackie was traveling on leave using a military bus he was told to move to the back of the bus but he refused to to move and was arrested. He was court martialed for disobedience but found not guilty and was honorably discharged.
Smashing the Color Barrier.
Jackie Robinson was drafted to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945. For two years he played on the Brooklyn Dodgers minor league team, where there was already African-Americans playing. In 1947 Jackie Robinson got called up to play on the Brooklyn Dodgers for the MLB season opener, he would be the first African-American to pay in the MLB. This was a huge step for the MLB, they would become the first major sports league to be integrated. This would open the door for other black athletes to play in the MLB.
Even though Jackie Robinson was on the team, he did not receive the same treatment as his teammates. At games he would have objects thrown at him, and the fans in the crowd would start racist chants towards him. When the team traveled to play teams in the south Jackie Robinson would not be able to stay in the same hotel as his team. When the team went out to eat Jackie Robinson would have to eat in different restaurants then his white teammates.
Jackie Robinson was the first African-American to be inducted into the baseball hall of fame. He was great and even the racist whites who supported segregation could see it. Jackie was an idol for all kids who loved baseball, black and white. He ended his career with an average batting average of .311. Jackie Robinson was known not only for his playing skill but his courage on the field. When he would play he would be insulted the worst names and base runners would aim the spikes at his shins when they were sliding. When Jackie Robinson retired he was so loved he was voted into the hall of fame his first year of eligibility. Jackie Robinson was a special player in baseball and in breaking down the color barrier.
NAACP.
In 1957 Jackie Robinson retired from his baseball career after a decade of plating for the Brooklyn Dodgers. After he retired he joined the NAACP also known as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The NAACP is an African-American organization that helped to gain rights for African-Americans. Jackie Robinson had a high ranking in the NAACP, he often was a spokesman to recruit new members to the NAACP, he also would give speeches when the NAACP had their meetings. Jackie Robinson also became friends with MLK jr and worked with him during the Civil Rights movement.