Unreconciled Strivings: Baseball in Jim Crow America, Essay Example

In this intriguing article, historian Jules Tygiel argues that black baseball or teams made up entirely of African-American men who played in the Black Leagues separate from their white counterparts, “embodied a dualism in its role” (380) in American society. This dualism or double role was most prominent in African-American communities during the heyday of the Jim Crow laws in the United States that date back to the Civil Rights Act of 1875 (found unconstitutional in 1883) which guaranteed separate but equal access to all segments of American society for blacks; however, in the Deep South, segregation was the law of the land, highlighted by state laws that required separate accommodations for blacks, such as access to public bathrooms, phone booths, restaurants, and even separate seating arrangements in Southern courthouses. Also, as a way to further intimidate blacks, many Southern states proudly posted “Colored” and “White” signs as public symbols and constant reminders of the inferiority of blacks.

As Tygiel points out, for African-Americans living in black communities located in major urban cities like New York, Chicago, Detroit, Kansas City, Atlanta, and St. Louis, baseball officials like umpires and managers, players like Jackie Robinson, accredited with breaking the division between white and black baseball teams, Josh Gibson, and Andrew “Rube” Foster, and even the culture of baseball itself, “symbolized pride and achievement” and created much excitement among African-Americans when black players excelled at not only the game of baseball but also as citizens and representatives of their people via demonstrating that blacks could play the game of baseball just as well if not better than their white counterparts while also serving as heroes of their communities (381).

In addition, by the 1940’s and with the rise of Jackie Robinson, the game of baseball and its black players began to overlap with “the worlds of black politics, religion and entertainment.” In fact, the power and influence of black baseball was so great that on opening day, movie theaters showed “pictures of the players, advertisements for the games, and newsreel footage of the lavish opening day ceremonies” (382) at baseball stadiums in places like Kansas City and Detroit, both of which boasted excellent black baseball teams.

However, despite the cultural standing of many black baseball players, Jim Crow laws, particularly in the Deep South, took away much of the enjoyment for black baseball fans. For example, in the city of St. Louis, black fans were required to sit segregated from white fans; the same held true for fans in Kansas City that were required to watch the game in a segregated section of the ballpark near the outfield (Tygiel 390). Black players also faced issues related to Jim Crow laws, such as being unable to use the white player’s locker rooms which forced black players to “dress and shower at the local YMCA” (Tygiel 392). But by the time that Jackie Robinson became a national hero (despite being black), segregation based on Jim Crow laws lapsed and was replaced by integrated baseball teams; however, black players continued to face discrimination and prejudice well into the 1960’s and beyond.

Overall, Tygiel’s argument concerning the dual roles of black baseball during and after the Jim Crow years is solid and worthwhile and helps to demonstrate how far America has come since the days of blatant racial discrimination and prejudice directed against African-Americans and black baseball players who in effect only wished to play the game and excel at something that would create pride in their people.

Bibliography

Hartzell, Lawrence L. A Mosaic of America. Vol. 2. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing, 2007.