King of Pop

Michael Jackson and Jackie Robinson were both important figures in social change. Michael Jackson was a pop star and dancer who broke barriers with his performances. Jackie Robinson was an important figure in baseball who helped pave the way for future athletes of color. Michael Jackson was a pop star who was known both for his singing abilities as well as his groundbreaking dance moves.  He broke many barriers in the music industry with his courageous attitude. He won 13 Grammys; eight of them for his Thriller album. In April 1990, he was awarded the "Artist of the Decade by President George H.W. Bush. He also started many charities for children and people of color, as well as donating to many worthy causes. 

Jackie Robinson and Michael Jackson both broke color barriers in their industries. Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947 when he played his first Major League baseball game for the Brooklynn Dodgers. In Promises to Keep, by Sharon Robinson, on page 36 it says, "Jackie Robinson was going to the majors... Jim Crow was going down!" This tells us that Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball was the start of ending segregation in the United States. Michael Jackson broke many barriers in the music industry. According to cbc.com, "Micheal was the first black artist to get into regular rotation on MTV."  This explains that Michael Jackson helped paved the way for future African American artists to break into the music industry. Jackie Robinson and Michael Jackson both showed courage when met with challenges. Jackie Robinson was often targeted because of the color of his skin. In Promises to Keep, on page 43 it says, "Even late into the 1947 season, opposing players struck dad (Jackie) with their cleats, or even pitched the ball at him hoping to start a fight. Dad (Jackie) contained his anger." This shows us how Jackie controlled his emotions and showed courage when treated poorly. Michael Jackson was not afraid to push boundaries and try new things in his songs and performances. On knowwithoutborders.com we read, "Jackson would always push the envelope on what music and dance could do." This explains how he showed courage by trying and doing new things with his music, like the Moon Walk. 

Jackie Robinson and Michael Jackson were both legends in their fields. Jackie Robinson was a multi-talented baseball player, whose skills were used both on and off the baseball field. According to NCAA.com, "He (Jackie) was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. Only the best of the best baseball players are let into the Hall of Fame. This induction into the Hall of Fame cemented his legend. Michael Jackson's musical skill and ability earned him the title of "King of Pop". On Michealjackson.com we read, "Dubbed the King of Pop, he (Jackson) is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. This explains how important Jackson's music was to America and is still important. 

Michael Jackson and Jackie Robinson were both important figures in social change. Michael Jackson was a pop star and dancer who broke barriers with his performances. Jackie Robinson was an important figure in baseball who helped pave the way for future athletes of color. Jackie Robinson helped to change America for the better. By breaking the color barrier in 1947 he started America on its path of desegregation. Michael Jackson also broke many barriers. He created space for equality within the music industry. Jackie Robinson and Michael Jackson are both important figures on America's path to equality.