Follow-up to Frenchie*: Barack Obama and Jackie Robinson

[EffieBlack]

Jackie Robinson, like Barack Obama, was a proud, courageous, assertive man who was never afraid to stand up for his rights. So when he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945, he initially balked at team president Branch Rickey's insistence that he refrain from fighting back against the racist taunts, threats, and physical abuse that would be targeted at him.

"I know you're a good ballplayer. What I don't know is whether you have the guts," Rickey told him at the time.

"Mr. Rickey, are you looking for a Negro who is afraid to fight back?" Robinson asked.

"Robinson, I'm looking for a ballplayer with guts enough not to fight back."

Like Jackie Robinson, Barack Obama is a remakarkable man who understands his role as a pioneer and how to be most effective in achieving his goal. Like Jackie Robinson, Barack Obama has the guts not to fight back - at least not by lashing out in the perhaps personally-satisfying but ultimately counter-productive manner that so many hope he would. Jackie Robinson fought back by playing the hell out of the game. Barack Obama is fighting back by being one of the best damned candidates this country has ever seen and showing that he is heads and shoulders above his opponents in temperament, talent, intellect, class, and political skill (not to mention, home training and family values).

And that, I'm sure we will eventually see, will be much, much more affective in achieving our short-term and long-term goals: winning the election (short-term) and changing the country (long-term). Barack is a remarkable person who is uniquely suited to be the pioneer he is at this moment.

Go, Barack. I'll bet that Jackie is proud as hell.

*Frenchie started this topic in another thread - she made such an important point that I wanted to highlight the issue again!

[Extend a Hand]

1. best damned candidate ever

K&R

[RoccoR5955]

2. Precisely! I am glad to see that people are starting to understand..

...the strategy here. Don't beat on them, but let them hoist them by their own petards!

[EffieBlack]

3. Exactly!

[Bread and Circus]

4. I agree, Obama is one of the best candidates ever. On the other hand baseball had rules...

I'm not saying you, Frenchie, or Barack is wrong. However, unfortunately in politics the good guys lose...a lot.

I'm not encouraging Barack to be a bad guy or pick a fight. It's just a very fine needle he has to thread.

[apocalypsehow]

5. "It's time to stop singing and start swinging!" - Malcolm X. n/t.

[LonelyLRLiberal]

6. Very nice post with excellent insight. nt

[EffieBlack]

10. Thanks!

[stillcool]

7. My husband has often reminded..

me of the fine line Jackie Robinson had to walk, to accomplish what he did. Being great is not good enough to walk that line and pass the bar.

[JoFerret]

8. Crikey. Stop already

We have an election we must win.

[sandnsea]

9. Love that post Effie

I'll bet that Jackie is proud as hell too.

[FrenchieCat]

11. I find that what Obama offers in temperament and why he will win is

Intellectual Chicago Style Street Smarts with the Hawaiian calmness and easygoing style.

That's why he will be a winner.

Great Post Effie. I'm glad you continue this conversation, as it good to be had.

[meow2u3]

12. One of Jackie Robinson's teammates chewed out a racist opponent

I don't remember exactly who it was, but I saw the documentary on ESPN Classic (I think it was PeeWee Reese, but I'm not sure). He told that creep, "You're such a coward. Pick on someone who can answer back."

I think Obama ought to enlist some non-racist white Dems as surrogates to Repukes who attack him using pretty much the same theme. Repunks are cowards who will pick on someone who can't answer back.