Before Barry Bonds, before Reggie Jackson, before Hank Aaron, baseball stars had one undeniable common trait: they were all white. In 1947, Jackie Robinson broke that barrier, dealing a crucial blow to racial equality and changing the world of sports forever. I Never Had It Made is Robinson's own story, a powerful account of what it took to become the first black man in history to play in the major leagues. I Never Had It Made recalls Robinson's early years and influences: his time at UCLA, his time in the military during World War II, when he challenged Jim Crow laws and narrowly escaped the court martial; his years of frustration, on and off the field, with the Negro Leagues; and finally that fateful day when Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers proposed what became known as the “Noble Experiment.” In his thesis, the author talks about his grandparents being born into slavery and how times had changed, instead of physical slavery, his parents were part of learned slavery. As a critic, the author claimed that although slavery was illegal, the deceased black people were treated. She briefly recounts how her mother and five children moved to California. As a single mother, it was difficult for her to feed her children, so she had to rely on government welfare. “Almost immediately,” she discovered. However, a job washing and ironing did not allow her to provide for herself and her five children. She went to social assistance. Whites still viewed blacks as less dominant and treated them unequally. "I was sweeping our sidewalk when a little neighbor shouted to me: 'Nigger, nigger, nigger.' “Growing up and living his life in poverty,” the author says. that he and others were beginning to form a gang. Frustrations were being created...... middle of paper ... He described that hard work and family can take you far in life. you are hated, etc. It also made life easier for African-American athletes. After Jackie Robinson's performance in MLB, basketball and football athletes became stars. Bill Russell is the only NBA player to have won the most NBA championships. 11. Another review mentioned. “He was talking about racism in baseball with some players and ideology, but the way it's written it sounds like 'just another day' as opposed to 'can you believe that?' » » Additionally, Ricky, the general manager of the Dodgers, had mentioned that he wanted a player who would not hesitate to hear racist comments. That Jackie didn't take other people's comments seriously and continued to play the way he did is beyond incredible. For a player of his caliber to experience what he did while trying to make a dream come true is amazing...