National Shame

Tomorrow mark's the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's first game as a Major League Ballplayer. We are told it is a time for celebration. I am ok with celebrating the man, and his legacy, but for me, a caucasian baseball nut, it is a time of great shame.

Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947. THAT WAS NEARLY A CENTURY AFTER SLAVERY WAS ABOLISHED IN THIS COUNTRY.

For you Video-game heads, WE USED TO HAVE SLAVERY IN THIS COUNTRY. That's right, we imported folks from Africa, and held them as chattel, as property. For two centuries. The practice was outlawed, only for political reasons.

As bad as that is, that is not why I am ashamed. I am ashamed for what has transpired since. Though Jackie's entree into the Major Leagues was long, long overdue it was seven years BEFORE Brown vs. Board of Education

It was an entire generation before the cats from Texas Western changed the face of college basketball. Revered bigots like Paul "Bear" Bryant took even longer to integrate their squads
and only did it as a last resort, when it became clear that that was the only way to compete.

God bless you Jackie Robinson, and I am very, very sorry, as well as being totally ashamed.