Jackie Robinson: Color Barrier Breaker
             The argument for integrated sport has always been that interracial teams and events promote better race relations (Hoberman 28). Two factors are generally cited to explain the segregation of sports in the first half of the twentieth century. Most commonly noticed is the desire of whites not to associate with African Americans (Shropshire 31). Because of the racist ideas and actions that were promoted during the first half of the twentieth century, there were many racist stereotypes that were created. One African American sports hero, Jackie Robinson, created an enormous impact on the role of African Americans in sports. He is known as a great baseball player, revolutionist, and person. Despite all of the racist stereotypes that one would think he would match up to, Jackie Robinson is a great African American who, despite all of his hardships involving racism, changed the beliefs of many people.
             Stereotypes and racism in sports in the first half of the twentieth century generally comes from two ideas: the desire of whites not to associate with African Americans, and the idea that African Americans are inferior. Most stereotypical attitudes are rooted at the turmoil in the United States regarding the appropriate role of African Americans in society after the Civil War. Segregation, racism, and stereotypes were the ideas adopted by America at that time, and these included sports. Jim Crow laws were meant for all.
             Jackie Robinson was a revolutionary color barrier breaker. Branch Rickey was open to the idea of integrating baseball with a non-white player. Jackie Robinson was discovered by one of Branch Rickey's scouts at a Negro League baseball game. Jackie Robinson could run well, throw well, hit with power, and he also had a good personality, a good background, he was intelligent, and he had a desire to succeed. In a conversation between Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson...