In the past century, our country has experienced major transformations due to extraordinary individuals who have emerged as heroes and leaders. One such prominent figure is Jackie Robinson, renowned for becoming the first African American player in Major League Baseball (MLB). Despite encountering racism and threats, Robinson is widely remembered for his crucial role in dismantling racial barriers. Similarly significant was Rosa Parks, whose refusal to surrender her seat on a bus to a white person ignited numerous protests advocating for racial equality. Helen Keller also demonstrates bravery and determination; despite losing her sight and hearing during childhood, she overcame countless obstacles on her educational journey. Her unwavering determination enabled her to acquire an extensive vocabulary and obtain a college degree while living with blindness and deafness. Keller continues to serve as an eternal source of inspiration for countless individuals.
Helen Keller, Rosa Parks, and Jackie Robinson all overcame obstacles and made sacrifices to bring about positive change in the United States. Their stories have served as a source of inspiration for many Americans. Jackie Robinson, specifically, broke down racial barriers and became a role model for countless individuals across America. He holds the distinction of being the first African American to play in Major League Baseball (MLB). Despite facing strong opposition due to his race, Robinson never gave up on his dream. In his autobiography titled “I Never Had it Made,” he openly discusses the hardships he faced: “It hadn’t been easy to confront the animosity exhibited by players on opposing teams, team owners, or prejudiced fans who would scream racist slurs at me. The hate mail kept coming, and there were even threats against my family and me, as well as incidents of physical aggression.” Despite these disheartening challenges, Robinson remained resolute. As he continued playing MLB games, people gradually recognized that his abilities surpassed racial stereotypes.
His teammates recognized his talent as a baseball player regardless of his race and acknowledged that he could contribute to their success and financial gain. This information is mentioned in the book “I Never had It Made” by Jackie, where he expresses in paragraph 5 that after overcoming initial resistance from his teammates, they began giving him advice on improving his game. Their change in attitude was not because they suddenly liked him more but because they realized he could increase their earnings. People understood that despite being of a different race, he had the ability to excel in baseball. By breaking the racial barrier, he proved his equal prowess to everyone else. Additionally, Rosa Parks served as a significant inspiration and leader in America.
On December 1st, 1955, Rosa Parks, after a long day at work, boards a bus to go home. As the bus fills with more white passengers, the driver notices that all the seats reserved for whites are taken. He instructs the African American passengers at the back of the bus to give up their seats. Initially reluctant, they eventually comply when the driver insists. However, Rosa Parks refuses to move. Consequently, she is arrested for violating the “Jim Crow laws” of segregation. This information is provided in the book “The Story Behind the Bus,” which highlights that she challenged the legality of segregation by appealing her conviction.
Many African Americans in Montgomery, Alabama, protested and refused to use buses, which was a significant concern for the bus company since African Americans comprised 75% of the riders. According to the book “The story behind the bus,” this boycott posed both an economic and social threat to the company and white rule in the city. The boycott continued for 381 days until the Supreme Court declared the segregation law as unconstitutional and integrated the Montgomery buses. This boycott marked the start of a revolutionary era of non-violent mass protests in support of civil rights in the United States. Rosa Parks’ actions served as a major inspiration and leadership for black Americans, demolishing racial barriers and ensuring equal seating rights for all on buses. Helen Keller was also an influential leader who inspired our nation.
At 19 months old, Helen Keller contracted Scarlet Fever, resulting in her becoming blind and deaf. This greatly impacted her life and posed significant challenges for her education. However, a pivotal moment occurred when her teacher, Anne Sullivan, discovered a way to communicate with her using sign language. In her autobiography, “The Story of My Life,” Helen described this breakthrough: “I stood still, completely focused on the movements of her fingers. Suddenly, I felt a hazy awareness, as if something forgotten had resurfaced—a surge of returning thoughts—and somehow, the enigma of language was unveiled to me. At that moment, I realized that ‘w-a-t-e-r’ represented the wonderful and refreshing substance flowing over my hand.” From then on, everything fell into place for Helen Keller. She displayed a strong eagerness to learn and had a newfound appreciation for the power of language. As stated in her autobiography, “The Story of My Life,” she exclaimed, “I left the well-house with a burning desire to acquire knowledge. Everything now had a name, and each name sparked a new idea. As we returned to the house, every object I touched seemed to pulsate with life.” Helen Keller’s realization that everything possessed a name shaped her learning journey immensely.
Despite her blindness and deafness, Helen Keller gradually gained multiple skills, including the ability to read and write. She even authored a book called “The Story of My Life” to showcase her impressive progress. In addition to graduating from college, she became an inspiration to countless Americans, regardless of their disabilities. Helen emerged as a prominent leader who proved that determination can result in accomplishing anything. Alongside Rosa Parks and Jackie Robinson, she encountered numerous challenges and made significant sacrifices, ultimately causing various changes in the nation. The combined narratives of these individuals continue to motivate people and exemplify the immense power of determination.
