Jackie's family experienced the plight of so many other Black families—poverty, segregation and bigotry. Jackie's exceptional athletic talent was manifested early in his life. He was very competitive and excelled in whatever sport he attempted. (In 1936 he won the junior boy's singles championship in the annual Pacific Coast Negro Tennis Tournament; and later, the table-tennis championship of the Army while he was in the service.)

However, it was on the playing fields of his youth where he experienced the friendly harmonious relationships with various races—Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, and whites—that shaped his lifelong attitude towards race relationships and integration.

In college, first at Pasadena Junior College and then at UCLA where he had earned a scholarship, Jackie went on to attain outstanding achievement. (He became the first four-letter athlete in UCLA history.) However, he left college before graduating. He felt that his athletic exploits would not be too beneficial in a world of segregated sports. (Even his brother, who starred in the 1936 Olympics had to sweep streets for a living.) Jackie joined the National Youth Administration and worked with disadvantaged youth and played baseball. He also played semi-pro football and basketball to earn extra money until he was drafted into the army in 1941.

After completing basic training, Jackie Robinson applied for Officer Candidate School (OCS). Even though he and several other Blacks had passed all test and other requirements they were denied that opportunity. It took the intervention of Joe Louis, who had been temporarily assigned to same base, to get Robinson admitted. After his graduation as a second lieutenant, he was sent to Texas. There he experienced the segregation of The South.

Predating Rosa Parks, Robinson refused to give up his seat on a military bus and move to the back. For this he was court martialed on trumped up charges, as segregated seating on military buses had been outlawed. Robinson was acquitted and later received an honorable discharge.

Robinson often engaged in baseball games while he was stationed in Texas. And while doing so, his talent was observed by Hilton Smith, a bullpen ace of the Kansas City Monarchs who happened to be there visiting family. Upon Smith's recommendation, the Monarchs signed him in 1945.

Due to the strict racial divide in professional sports, Blacks had to develop their own leagues. The Kansas City Monarchs was the only all-Black team that Robinson ever played with. He played with them only one year. For shortly after joining them he caught the eye of scouts for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Branch Rickey, the Dodger general manager, had wanted to bring several Blacks into the majors together. Articles reveal that Rickey never intended for one person to shoulder this burden alone. But political complications caused him to sign only Robinson. It was Robinson that was selected because, in addition to his athletic ability, his apparent strength of character indicated that he could to withstand the pressure that would undoubtedly ensue.

Robinson was assigned to the Dodger's minor league team in Montreal, Canada. Before the season began he married his college sweetheart, Rachael Isum. He had a successful year in Montreal, leading his team to the Little World Series and leading the league in batting.

The racism in Canada was not as severe at that of the United States. But the Robinsons were an exception to other Blacks there. Although, Canada had also enslaved Blacks and native people, it still remained a mythical "Promised Land" and the proverbial "North Star" leading Blacks to freedom.

It was becoming clear to the Robinsons how significant their undertaking was and its impact on race relations. This understanding, that they were a symbol for the hopes and dreams of African Americans throughout the land, helped them endure the taunts and other hardships they were to encounter.

In 1947, Jackie Robinson began his rookie year with the Brooklyn Dodgers at 28 years of age. His rookie season was a stunning success. He led the National League in stolen bases and his team in home runs. He batted over .300 for most of the season and led his team to the pennant. However, it was his aggressiveness in base running, a common trait in the Negro Leagues that ultimately changed the way the game was played, that excited so many fans and induced fear into his opponents. He had stolen home nineteen times in his career and once stole his way around the bases.

Robinson's play in his major league career has been well documented. Two accounts of his life in and off the field can be found at AFRO americ@ and The World & I. The book shown above in the figure is an autobiographical account of Jackie Robinson's life. It deals primarily with his off-the-field life, its ups and downs, etc. He discusses his political and civil rights activities after he retired, including his friendships with Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X.