People don't recognize the struggles that African Americans had to endure to be treated as equals, as a true American is supposed to be treated . One of the reasons they were not treated equally was not being able to participate in sports with white people. Since the beginning of our nation, people of color have been heavily disrespected and treated as if they are some kind of animal, who has no say in what happens to them. They were not given any opportunities and they were treated harshly because their skin color was different. Whites could pretty much do whatever they wanted, unlike blacks, who were racially discriminated against or beaten for no apparent reason. African Americans were among the most poorly treated races in the United States; However, this did not stop them from fighting for the rights that so many died for. It seemed like black people would never be treated with respect, but like in comic books, there is always a hero who will fight for their people. This hero quickly came onto the scene and he was fierce enough to change the lives of many people. Most importantly, he broke the color barrier and created a path that would allow others to follow him. However, the threats and racist remarks they faced were unavoidable. On April 15, 1947, the man who would change all that came up to bat, marking the first time an African American played in the major leagues. Jackie Robinson was baseball's man and hero to black people. With much hope, Jackie Robinson and the African American race marked the beginning of the fight for the ultimate goal which was equality. Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia. He was the son of a sharecropper and life wasn't easy...... middle of paper ... you're going to spend your whole life in the stands just watching what's happening, in my opinion You're wasting your life." "I don't think I or any other black person, as an American citizen, should have to ask for anything that is rightfully theirs. We demand that we be given simply the things that are rightfully ours and we seek nothing else. » In 1972, Jackie Robinson passed away, but his legacy will live on forever. The effects of Robinson can be seen wherever you are. It appears on the covers of Sports Illustrated, ESPN and even the Wall Street Journal. Since Jackie Robinson entered baseball in 1947, black society in America has truly broken down an infinite number of barriers. The improvements are greater than the improvements made to the black race. in the entire nation which, thanks to its achievements, was now one step closer to equality (Quotes).)