Question: Jackie Robinson rules, what are those ?

[steve2470]

Sincere question. I've heard this referenced about Obama. Thanks.

Steve

[hedgehog]

1. Just a guess, but when Branch Rickey decided to integrate the major leauges,

he sought out someone who would be calm and polite no matter how he was treated.

[steve2470]

2. the Wikipedia entry, fwiw

The example of his character and unquestionable talent challenged the traditional basis of segregation, which then marked many other aspects of American life, and contributed significantly to the Civil Rights Movement.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Robinson

[WeDidIt]

5. Which is why the greatest pitcher in the history of the game couldn't be first

Satchel Paige wasn't about to put up with the bullshit, so he ended up being a rookie at age 41.

[rurallib]

3. Here is a column from Digby about similar situations from last year

Geez, I had already forgotten about this crap:
http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/jackie-robinson-rules-by-digby-it-turns.html
<<snip>>
"So, Obama is going to have to be a modern day Jackie Robinson and stoically endure the more subtle forms of racial ugliness that the right throws at him without ever fighting back or even mentioning that it is happening. If he's as good a politician as Robinson was a baseball player, he'll do it by sheer talent and force of will (and by boldly stealing home in the world series ...)"

[izquierdista]

4. Being the first ______-American

The first person of an oppressed group to break into the main stream (the Major League literally for Jackie) is held to a higher standard: he must have the lust of the Pope, the greed of Mother Theresa, the generosity of Santa Claus, the compassion of Florence Nightingale, and hold up to verbal abuse like Gandhi. He (or she) will never be excused for normal human failings, and if they do trip up, all of his critics will say "see, I told you the stereotype was correct".

[RaleighNCDUer]

6. I would guess, 'play fair, stay strong, don't react - give them nothing

to hate you on'. I saw a show about him once and his struggle as an athlete to tamp down and channel his natural aggression, without which you can't be a good athlete, and that was more or less the 'rules' the ballclub manager laid down - that if he didn't think he could do that, he should just walk away now.

[grantcart]

7. Rickey specifically had Robinson agree not to react to any slurs

Rickey replied that he needed a Negro player "with guts enough not to fight back."<73><74> After obtaining a commitment from Robinson to "turn the other cheek" to racial antagonism, Rickey agreed to sign him to a contract for $600 a month.<75><76>


The agreement was for a specific period of time, I believe that it was 2 years and after that he was free to respond. While he continued to ignore fans, Jackie would respond to player taunts, usually by finding an opportunity to slide into that base with his cleats showing or run into them with his shoulder down.


When people talk about it in the context of Obama it means that until people are completely accustomed to him being there he will ignore any racial provocations.

[goclark]

8. Right you are grantcart ~ if he reacted now

and got into a "your Momma" attitude with them.
Where would we be on Health Care.

All TV is talking about now is Carter, Czars, Acorn and Teabaggers.

The issue is --- Health Care.