FanPost

Civil Rights Game

Let me preface this by saying that I'm a 22-year old middle-class white male. I've never had to deal with any kind of racism and I have no idea what it must be like. Keep that in mind if I ever sound naive in this post.

Last night (5/15), I was in Cincinnati for the Reds-Cardinals game. I was at this game for a few reasons: A.) My girlfriend and I are avid baseball fans, especially for the Rockies. B.) She had never been to a game before in person. C.) We live just a few hours away from Cincinnati so we wouldn't have to stay overnight. D.) I will be working in Mississippi all summer, including the time when the Rockies play at Cincy.

Notice that none of these reasons include the fact that it was the Civil Rights Game. I saw on the ticket that it said Civil Rights game, but I didn't think anything of it. I just assumed it was something the Reds were doing to prove that they weren't racists. I figured we'd get a Harriet Tubman bobblehead doll or something cheesy, they'd have a moment of silence for Civil Rights leaders, and then we'd play baseball and forget about it.

There was a little league parade a little before the game started, featuring teams in MLB's inner-city outreach program. There were so many kids there, it basically stretched around the perimeter of the field. It was fun to see that many kids excited about baseball, but I didn't think anything of it, really.

Then they introduced Harry Belafonte, Billie Jean King, and Willie Mays (!), who were receiving "Beacon of ___" awards from MLB, celebrating their roles in the advancement of the Civil Rights movement. They had a player from the Negro Leagues there (I don't remember his name), and Hank Aaron (!), as well as some other prominent African Americans and/or women. Throughout the game, they showed video tributes to Civil Rights leaders between the innings.

I have grown up in a time where racism certainly isn't eradicated, but is far less prevalent. In theory, everyone has an equal chance at success. I know that wealth distribution certainly isn't fair and that a lot of minorities don't get the opportunities that students from more affluent areas get. I certainly don't understand what it's like to be persecuted because of race.

The Civil Rights Game called attention to some of the greats in baseball who really helped integrate the sport. Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, and others were all honored at the game. Seeing videos and hearing stories about the things they went through: from locker room prejudices to death threats from fans. These players were pioneers. They risked their lives and their families' safety so that future generations could have the opportunity to play the game they love without fear.

In the past, I've rolled my eyes somewhat when Torii Hunter makes his latest claims about race, but he often has a valid point. Changes in baseball helped spark some of the Civil Rights movement in America in general, and all of us, regardless of race, should honor what they've done.

I attended the Civil Rights game not thinking anything of it, but the events of the evening really helped put it into perspective. My generation cannot fully understand just how important these men were to baseball and to the socio-cultural advancements of our nation, but events like the Civil Rights game are an important step to helping us catch a glimpse of what they meant.

Eat. Drink. Be Merry. But the above FanPost does not necessarily reflect the attitudes, opinions, or views of Purple Row's staff (unless, of course, it's written by the staff [and even then, it still might not]).

In This FanPost

Teams