Cody Snavely
Today, on Monday, January 15, we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day—one of the most prominent civil rights activists who fought for equal rights for Black Americans. No figure is more closely identified with the mid-20th century struggle for civil rights than Martin Luther King, Jr. His adoption of nonviolent resistance to achieve equal rights for Black Americans earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. However, MLK also has a connection to the Dodgers through Jackie Robinson.
Robinson and MLK’s connection throughout the 20th century
King and the Dodgers connected through Jackie Robinson. The Dodgers and King were first intertwined through Jackie Robinson, who famously broke MLB’s color barrier on April 15, 1947. Robinson and King simultaneously received honorary doctorates from Howard University and were together for the March on Washington. King once commended Branch Rickey for his support and commitment to establishing equality for all, and he thanked Don Newcombe, Roy Campanella, and Robinson for helping inspire change.
Robinson and King became close friends as they dedicated their lives to fighting injustice. Not satisfied with breaking baseball’s color barrier in 1947, Robinson became even more involved in the civil rights movement after retiring in 1957, shortly after having been traded to the Giants. King encouraged Robinson’s involvement, saying that he was:
… a pilgrim that walked in the lonesome byways toward the high road of freedom. He was a sit-inner before sit-ins, a freedom rider before freedom rides.
In September 1962, Robinson delivered an address to the Southern Christian Leadership Council at its annual Freedom Dinner in Birmingham, Ala. Robinson praised King in his remarks, saying:
People used to tell me many things about Dr. King, that he was trying to take over the world, that he was making money on the civil rights issues. I didn’t believe them, of course. I knew this was a dedicated man and that he has made tremendous personal financial sacrifices in the cause. I sort of wondered why people would stoop to talk about him. Then I realized that the world has always talked against great men. The best way to keep from getting talked about is to do nothing.
Jackie’s involvement in the March on Washington
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, also known as the March on Washington or The Great March on Washington, was held in Washington, D.C., on August 28, 1963. Dodgers legend Jackie Robinson and his son were present at the march supporting the movement.
The March on Washington is one of the most impactful movements in U.S. history, and having Jackie’s presence with his children there was a huge deal. Throughout his whole life, Jackie was a man who fought for freedom and equality. While he broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, it was his work after retirement. And his collaborations with MLK allowed other Black American athletes to join not just baseball but all North American sports.
Upon MLK’s assassination on April 4th, 1968, Robinson shared his emotions on it, stating it is the most disturbing and distressing thing we’ve had to face in a long time. Robinson would continue his Civil Rights work until he died in 1972 at 53. To this day, the Jackie Robinson Foundation gives scholarships to minority youths for higher education and preserves the legacy of Baseball Hall of Fame member Jackie Robinson.
