As the chief executive of our nation, I respectfully suggest that you unwittingly crush the spirit of freedom in Negroes by constantly urging forbearance and give hope to those pro-segregation leaders like Governor Faubus who would take from us even those freedoms we now enjoy. Your own experience with Governor Faubus is proof enough that forbearance and not eventual integration is the goal the pro-segregation leaders seek. To which specific historic event is Jackie Robinson referring to in the letter?
Answers
Explanation:
Letters can be many things—reaching out to a long-lost friend, writing a note to say thank you, making a new acquaintance, or sometimes, telling the most powerful leader in the country what you think.
As President, Dwight Eisenhower received many letters written by citizens, elected officials, and individuals from every walk of life, even including other famous figures from history. In 1957, and again in 1958, Jackie Robinson—who famously broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball a decade before—was one of those who took time to write to Eisenhower in the White House.
Jack Roosevelt Robinson and Dwight David Eisenhower were two monumental figures in the 20th Century. Both came from modest beginnings and found avenues to elevate themselves to the pages of history. Both shared a passion for sports and a drive for excellence and competition. Indeed, as a boy Eisenhower’s dream was to one day be a professional baseball player. Eisenhower and Robinson certainly had things in common, and to a degree, their lives had similar patterns. Yet a deeper look at those patterns reveals that their respective lived experiences highlighted the difference between blacks and whites in 20th Century American society.