Liberal Arts History Historical Research Historical Research Presentations
In the text below you will find presentation notes pertaining to Historical Research. The topic of the presentation is Jackie Robinson. This presentation is accompanied by homework and a paper covering the same topic. The presentation are consistent with what you might find in a Historical Investigation college course.
Note: If you are having trouble viewing this page or would prefer to view this information in a document viewer Click Here!
Historical Investigations Presentation
Thesis: Jackie Robinson’s ability to handle tough situations and his desire to help others allowed him to make a larger contribution to humanity than just being an extraordinary athlete.
Argument/Findings: My argument is two-fold.
The fist part centers on his life from the beginning to the end of his baseball career and the second on his life after baseball.
The first argument contains a reoccurring theme consistent through Robinson’s life. The theme is that he had moments of excellence and during these moments of excellence he always had problems/struggles that he had to deal with … the argument is about his consistency in handling these issues and the payoff for that manner in which he handles these issues.
Example:
Moment of Excellence: Shortly after entering “white baseball” his performance caused many people, even white, to warm up to him.
Struggle/Issue: Robinson would mention April 22, 1947 as one of the most unpleasant days of his life. He was playing a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. While he was on the field he could constantly hear the heckling of racial obscenities through the entire game. Turns out to be the Phillies manager, Ben Chapman.
Handling: Robinson claimed this was one of the times he was closest to “loosing it.” He felt like going into that dugout and smashing “his [Ben Chapman] teeth with my [JR] despised black fist.” He was ready to say “to hell” with this whole thing. However, in the spirit of the “noble experiment” he bit his lip and continued to play without incident.
Payoff: The white Dodgers were extremely angry about the abuse JR received and this brought the team closer together. – In the beginning many Dodgers didn’t want him on the team -
The second part of my argument is that Robinson has made other contributions to humanity other than those obvious contributions that center around his athletic ability (including his legacy).
Example:
Accepting the Chock Full o’ Nuts job – director of personnel. He left baseball for this job. He did it partly because this job was enough to continue financial support of his family, but the main reason is because he would be in charge of the welfare of more than 1,000 workers – mostly black. He went to court to testify for employees that had legal troubles … he even wrote the White House on behalf of an employee in an attempt to get his 2 Jamaican sons entrance into the U.S.
Legacy: - Jackie Robinson Development Corporation (Rachel took over as President after Jack’s death) – responsible for building housing for the under privileged. The Jackie Robinson Foundation – college grants to poor and minority students … even helping people after his death.
Primary Sources: Book: “I Never Had It Made” – autobiography
Book: “Stealing Home” – Sharon Robinson (daughter)
Book: “JR: An Intimate Portrait” – Rachel Robinson (Wife)
Newspaper: “Bank In Harlem Approved By U.S.” (and several other like this)
