From Joe & Connor R
http://www.pewresearch.org/
What is the significance of Jackie Robinson's debut today for all minorities? How has his legacy been shaped by the influx of international players?
From Connor T & Griff
As you may know the Cardinals do not have a very racially diverse team. Do you think racial divides in the game (like one their team) transfer to the fans and other teams/people? Is there anything in here that surprised you?
The significance today for Jackie Robinson's debut today is the fact that he did break the barrier for allowing nonwhites to play. His legacy however has changed over the years, previously being mainly the person to set the premise for allowing African-Americans to play baseball. Now it is the way that he has allowed all nonwhites to play baseball, including people who are not born in the US. This significance is that he has opened the doors for the possibility of playing in the MLB to all foreign players.
ReplyDeleteJackie Robinson essentially set the stage for players of color to even have the ability to play in the MLB. His legacy is one that may be slightly inflated, given that it is conceivable that a black or Latino player would eventually enter the league. Simultaneously, Robinson’s unparalleled composure in the face of the racist, brutal ways he was treated by white players in the league speaks to his strength and capability to represent for all players of color. His behavior could have ultimately determined whether or not the league wanted players of color on their teams. His strength ushered in a new future for baseball, one with opportunities for black (and eventually Latino) players to play in the MLB. His legacy was, in my opinion, less about representing black Americans exclusively, and more so representing all players of color.
ReplyDeleteGriff
Joe & Connor R -
ReplyDeleteJackie Robinson has been an idol for millions of American's throughout history because he broke the color barrier in baseball. His legacy has been passed down from generation to generation and has been an inspiration for many. Robinson marked a change in America that intensified and continued until recent years. African American Involvement in baseball has reached a significant drop in numbers, and nobody is quite sure why. Is it an issue of race like it was back in the 50's or is a lack of skills and involvement from African Americans? Regardless of the reason I think that Jackie Robinson's legacy and the impact he had on baseball will not be forgotten and undermined due to the current situation. Regardless of the influx of foreign players, I think that the African Americans role in baseball will never be forgotten, even if their involvement decreases.
Connor T & Griff -
My initial reaction to reading this article was profound and utter shock. I cannot believe that cardinal fans would come out of a ball game and immediately begin protesting against a group of African American's because of the color of their skin. However, I do not think that this racism has a direct relation to the lack of African American athletes on the cardinals. Regardless of ethnicity, nowadays baseball fans do not come to games worried about the color of the players skin, they come for entertainment and to enjoy a great game. Unfortunately I think that the cardinals roster with the lack of African American athletes might be a foreshadowing of what other teams in the MLB may become in the future. With the African American involvement in baseball gradually decreasing, teams may or may not have rosters with little to no African Americans.
In response to Joe and Connor R.,
ReplyDeleteJackie Robinson breaking down the color barrier was a huge victory for black baseball players. However, due to the polarization of race in America, is was a victory for everybody that wasn't white, which was what the term "black" referred to anyone who wasn't white in Robinson's years. Robinson's legacy has changed in accordance with the term over the years; as the percentage of Africam-American players has declined, people refer to Robinson as the one who paved the road for them to get there. However, Robinson also paved the road for Latinos and other foreign players, yet he is not talked about when those demographics. As international players continue to flock to the MLB, Robinson's legacy becomes that much more important, despite the frequent lack of acknowledgement when the increase in international players is talked about. Robinson's legacy has not been viewed with respect to international players due to the term "black" changing from meaning any non-white player to referring solely to African-Americans.
Sam R.
In response to Connor T. and Griff,
ReplyDeleteThe racist actions from the Cardinals fans does not come as much of a surprise, unfortunately. A bunch of people, having lived in an area that, according to reports, has a lot of racial tension, are somewhat likely to act out in such ways. They are even more likely to do so following a victory for their hometown team and likely more than a few alcoholic beverages. That obviously doesn't make it ok, however. However, I'm not so sure that the lack of racial diversity on the team's roster is a cause of the fans racial outburst. While the two may be associated, perhaps because the team is located in an area that is (again, according to reports) rife with racial tensions. But, in addition to being baseball fans, those protesting were also likely drunk white people energized by the Cardinals playoff win. I don't think that the overwhelmingly white makeup of the Cardinals' roster was a cause of the confrontation between the protesters and the fans, but that doesn't mean it doesn't continue to perpetuate the kind of culture that is at the heart of the problem.
Sam R.
Joe & Connor R
ReplyDeleteJackie Robinson as the first black baseball player in the major leagues lead the MLB to be the multi-racial organization today. The fact that the MLB roughly mirrors the racial percentages of the US speaks to the progress baseball has made in 67 years. International players all can link their professional baseball careers to Jackie Robinson's debut. Jackie Robinson is now not only a symbol of black players in the MLB, but the diversity the league holds. He is the single most influential individual in baseball regarding its view on race and nationality. Without him, baseball would not be where it is today.
Connor T & Griff
The scene depicted in the video is truly appalling. Seeing the Cardinals play on TV gives you little to know information about their fans or the environment they play in. I don't know if the players themselves are racist, but the fans' chants and slurs shows the racial divide within the community. The video also speaks the racial gap between the fans and the protesters, as the fans are predominately white where as the protesters are mostly black. I don't know whether a team with lack of diversity is the root of these issues, yet the blatant racism of the fans is a problem that needs to be addressed. I am surprised that such blatant displays of racism occur in these settings.
Angus S.
Joe and Connor R
ReplyDeleteJackie Robinson opened the door not only for black baseball players, but it also broadened the horizons of what was acceptable in baseball and thus allowed for many players of many other races to join. Today it is a shame that the number of black players is decreasing because it almost belittles what Robinson did, as if his bravery was for nothing. In a way, however, the influx of foreign players makes his accomplishment seem more important, as if he has opened the gates to various new peoples.
Connor T and Griff
I was quite surprised by the Cardinals' fans' reactions to the Ferguson protestors, it seemed completely uncalled for and completely separate from baseball, I was surprised that the two came into contact and clashed. I would hope that fans are mature enough to be able to almost ignore race and just enjoy baseball, but incidents like these remind us all that that is not the case.
-Duncan
Griff and Connor T
ReplyDeleteI do believe that the actions and divide of the St Louis Cardinals impacts the fans in a negative way. Living in a place where your idols are almost exclusively white teaches you that minorities are not on the same level as whites. But that is all it does. It does not make fans go out and destroy a peace rally, or utter devastatingly racist slurs. Yes, it is definitely a factor but there is more coming from the outside world than the team. What the fans did and said stems from a deep seeded hatred for minorities, something that is not fostered by the Cardinals, nor any other sports team. I was surprised by all of it. I was unaware fans, who's team is doing very well, could have such a negative energy with them, and release it all on to their neighbors, who are supporting an equally good cause.
Connor R
Joe and Connor R.
ReplyDeleteJackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball, and he faced tremendous difficulty in accomplishing that. While he has long been regarded as having broken the color barrier for blacks, he really did break it for all minorities. Therefore, we can credit him for opening up the door to baseball to people from all kinds of backgrounds, both international and not. This article talks a lot about the decline of African Americans in baseball, but also mentions facts such as how Hispanics were overrepresented in baseball in 2012, relative to their share of the population. While it is easy to dwell on the decline of African American players, this overrepresentation or increase in minority players is a victory nonetheless, and can be equally attributed to Jackie Robinson.
Griff and Connor T.
All I can say is wow. These comments are absolutely horrifying. But I would be lying if I said that I was surprised. Disgusted? Sure. Surprised? No. I think that just speaks to how common this type of nasty and racist behavior is in our supposedly post racial society. However, I am hesitant to connect this behavior with the lack of racial diversity on the team. As annoying as it may sound, all I can think is that correlation does not imply causation; just because the two groups that clashed with one another are Cardinals fans and protestors does not mean that the team’s racial makeup has anything to do with it. I think before pointing fingers and calling that the issue, there are more viable causes, such as geography, the obvious impact of current events, etc...
Morgan