Answers all the questions
Name __________________________________ Date __________________ Free Minds and Hearts at Work Jackie Robinson In preparing for writing our own This I Believe essays, we should consider not only our beliefs and personal experience, but also the structure and writing style to best convey our message. Read and analyze Jackie Robinson’s essay, and answer the following questions thoughtfully. At the beginning of the World Series of 1947, I experienced a completely new emotion when the National Anthem was played. This time, I thought, it is being played for me, as much as for anyone else. This is organized major league baseball, and I am standing here with all the others; and everything that takes place includes me. About a year later, I went to Atlanta, Georgia, to play in an exhibition game. On the field, for the first time in Atlanta, there were Negroes and whites. Other Negroes, besides me. And I thought: What I have always believed has come to be. And what is it that I have always believed? First, that imperfections are human. But wherever human beings were given room to breathe and time to think, those imperfections would disappear, no matter how slowly. I do not believe that we have found or even approached perfection. That is not necessarily in the scheme of human events. Handicaps, stumbling blocks, prejudices–all of these are imperfect. Yet, they have to be reckoned with because they are in the scheme of human events. Whatever obstacles I found made me fight all the harder. But it would have been impossible for me to fight at all, except that I was sustained by the personal and deep-rooted belief that my fight had a chance. It had a chance because it took place in a free society. Not once was I forced to face and fight an immovable object. Not once was the situation so cast-iron rigid that I had no chance at all. Free minds and human hearts were at work all around me; and so there was the probability of improvement. *I look at my children now, and know that I must still prepare them to meet obstacles and prejudices. But I can tell them, too, that they will never face some of these prejudices because other people have gone before them. And to myself I can say that, because progress is unalterable, many of today's dogmas will have vanished by the time they grow into adults. How is Robinson able to catch the reader’s attention in the 1st paragraph? Notice how many times Robinson uses the pronoun “I.” Why is this effective for his message? Circle text that shows a common sense/rational tone. How does that affect the reader? Notice the highlighted words. What might be the tone of this paragraph? Why is this important to his message? * Do you think this sentence hurts the author’s message? Why or why not? I can say to my children: There is a chance for you. No guarantee, but a chance. And this chance has come to be, because there is nothing static with free people. There is no Middle Ages logic so strong that it can stop the human tide from flowing forward. I do not believe that every person, in every walk of life, can succeed in spite of any handicap. That would be perfection. But I do believe–and with every fiber in me–that what I was able to attain came to be because we put behind us (no matter how slowly) the dogmas of the past: to discover the truth of today; and perhaps find the greatness of tomorrow. I believe in the human race. I believe in the warm heart. I believe in man's integrity. I believe in the goodness of a free society. And I believe that the society can remain good only as long as we are willing to fight for it–and to fight against whatever imperfections may exist. My fight was against the barriers that kept Negroes out of baseball. This was the area where I found imperfection, and where I was best able to fight. And I fought because I knew it was not doomed to be a losing fight. It couldn't be a losing fight–not when it took place in a free society. And in the largest sense, I believe that what I did was done for me–that it was my faith in God that sustained me in my fight. And that what was done for me must and will be done for others. What does Robinson mean when he says “there is nothing static with free people”? What does the author seem to be implying with the highlighted text? Do you think the repetition of “I believe” builds or weakens his argument? Why or why not? Circle the dashes ( – ) used on this page. Why are they so effective? Discussion Questions – Answer in paragraph form. 1. Consider the five “I Believe” statements in paragraph 7. Which one of these resonates most strongly with you? Why? 2. When Jackie Robinson wrote “Free Minds and Hearts at Work,” he had only been in the Major Leagues for five years. How might the publication of this essay have contributed responsibly to his society?