In 1920 one of the most important events in American history happened.
In 1947 Jackie Robinson became the first 'Black' player in major league baseball.
It was a new era. The hopes and dreams of the Harlem Renaissance were beginning to come true. In New York City, a 'Black' man played alongside 'white' teammates on a baseball team- a baseball team that made radio and the newspapers and even early television and made it to the World Series.
A World Series that was watched by over 3 million Americans in the few bars that had televisions across America, the first mass audience in television history.
Jackie Robinson was opening up opportunities for 'Black' people- and other non-'white' people- in America, healing America's biggest wounds. Opportunities that would lead to the Civil Rights movement and the great civil rights victories of the 50's and early 60's.
Jackie Robinson integrated major league baseball in 1947.
But it did not start in 1947.
For years legendary 'Black' baseball players like pitcher Satchel Paige, hitter and base runner 'Cool Papa' Bell and legendary home run hitter Josh Gibson played in the negro leagues, leagues for 'Black' players that were every bit as good as the Major Leagues.
Players who became legends.
Teams that often beat the best Major League teams in barnstorming games.
This is where Jackie Robinson in 1947 came from.
Let me tell you where the Negro Leagues came from.
In the early 20th Century there were 'Black' barnstorming baseball teams. Teams that played unofficial games before paying crowds against whoever would play them.
Teams that had no league.
Andrew Foster was a brilliant pitcher. A legend.
He came up in these 'Black' barnstorming teams and became a star.
Those barnstorming teams became more successful.
In time, Andrew Foster became even more successful as a manager than he had been as a pitcher.
In 1920, after leading the community of 'Black' barnstorming teams to more and more success, Andrew Foster led the creation of the Negro National League.
The first Negro League.
A major league for 'Black' people.
This is where Jackie Robinson in 1947 came from.
One of the most important events in American history- for all it would lead to through Jackie Robinson and the integration of baseball, something that went way beyond sport to change the fabric of American society and lead to the beautiful America and world of Miles Davis and John Coltrane in the time of the beatniks and the America and world of Jimi hendrix in the time of the Hippies.
Indeed, since it was America that revived the world, and Miles Davis and John Coltrane, Charlie Parker and Ornette Coleman and Jimi Hendrix, as the main spiritual leaders of the era (along with a few others like Dylan) and the source of modern jazz and the beatnik movement were so essential to the spiritual revival of the world, this was not just one of the most important events in American history.
It was one of the most important events in world history of the Industrial era.
For through Jackie Robinson's triumph, the America that we needed to revive the world was mentally healthy and up to the task, and Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie were free to found the beatnik movement, and Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman were free to lead the beatniks and the spiritual rebirth of the world.
One more thing- I am not writing this as part of 'Black' History Month. I am writing this as a historian. It is just a coincidence that this is February.
I believe in the history of all people, 'Black', 'white' and other, in every month of the year!
God loves you!
Sincerely,
David S. Annderson
P.S. It is stories like this in history that make my heart soar! For this is a beautiful story of triumph!