NLBM urges people not to forget history in response to temporary Jackie Robinson DEI removal
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - One of America’s most familiar faces in baseball history has been under attack according to Negro Leagues Baseball Museum president Bob Kendrick.
The baseball icon’s history has since been restored from the Pentagon’s website, and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum describes its temporary removal as an eradication of history.
“Jackie Robinson epitomizes what it means to be an American,” said Kendrick.
On Wednesday morning, a URL leading to Robinson’s story in the Defense Department’s ‘Sports Heroes Who Served’ Series redirected to a different link that included DEI in the address and was scrubbed from its website.
The page was soon restored by Wednesday afternoon. This comes as the federal government continues to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion content from its online platforms.
“If Jackie Robinson’s content was removed, what about those lesser known but equally meaningful contributors to the military, to the success of this country,” said Kendrick.
Previous versions of the article highlight when Robinson was drafted during World War Two and assigned to a segregated unit in Fort Riley, Kansas. He was then reassigned to Fort Hood, Texas where he was court-martialed for refusing to move to the back of a segregated army bus.
“I think in the minds of so many if you don’t talk about it, then it means it’s not happening,” said Kendrick.
After being discharged, Robinson kicked off his baseball career playing for the Kansas City Monarchs and then made history in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers becoming the first Black player in the Major Leagues.
Kendrick explains this is a moment that preceded many others in Civil Rights history.
“For all intents and purposes, this is what started the ball of social progress rolling in our country but what I also remind folks is, Jackie wasn’t playing for Jackie,” said Kendrick, “Jackie was carrying 21 million black folks on his back when he walked across those lines. Had he failed, an entire race of people would have failed.”
Kendrick said he feels this entire situation amplifies why spaces like the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum need to exist.
“The crux of this story is about diversity, equity, and inclusion because the Negro Leagues didn’t care what color you were. They didn’t care what gender you were. Can you play,” said Kendrick.
Robinson’s impact is still felt around baseball fields across the country and among the sport’s players who keep his legacy alive.
“Jackie Robinson to me is so inspiring,” said baseball player Jeremiah Roberson.
Roberson wears the number 42 on his back while playing for the Johnson County Cavaliers in Robinson’s honor.
“There’s not a lot of black players inside the league right now and I’m trying to build up to it and become one more black player in the league,” said Roberson.
Kendrick said the entire situation is why it’s important spaces like the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum exists.
“We don’t know what the future of this history is going to be as it relates to being taught in public schools and so it is incumbent that we have a place like this that give people an opportunity to learn about those who helped shape this country’s history,” he said.
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