Jackie Robinson, Civil Rights Advocate
Student Worksheet Key: Civil Rights History
- Scenario: A bill has just passed in the Senate and is on its way to the
House of Representatives. Although you favor the principle of the bill, you oppose
the bill in its present form because you fear it does not do enough.
Historical event referred to: Civil Rights Act of 1957
Jackie Robinson's action: sent a telegram to the White House
Was your stated action: (circle one) answers will vary - Scenario: You have just returned from a meeting at which the President of
the United States spoke. His speech frustrated you.
Historical event referred to: speech made by Eisenhower to the Summit Meeting of Negro Leaders in May 1958
Jackie Robinson's action: wrote a letter to the President
Was your stated action: (circle one) answers will vary - Scenario: It is the fall of an election year. You support a particular candidate,
and you are a well-known celebrity. The race is predicted to be very close.
Historical event referred to: the election of 1960
Jackie Robinson's action: actively campaigned for Nixon
Was your stated action: (circle one) answers will vary - Scenario: The election is over and the candidate whom you supported did
not win. You hope the new President will support issues that concern you.
Historical event referred to: election of Kennedy in 1960
Jackie Robinson's action: wrote a letter to Kennedy
Was your stated action: (circle one) answers will vary - Scenario: An important leader of a cause you believe in is going to attend
the funeral of another leader who was recently assassinated. You are concerned
for
his safety.
Historical event referred to: assassination of Medgar Evers
Jackie Robinson's action: sent a telegram to the White House
Was your stated action: (circle one) answers will vary - Scenario: A large rally is going to be held in Washington DC. People in
attendance will be showing their support for a cause in which you strongly believe.
Historical event referred to: the March on Washington
Jackie Robinson's action: attended the march with his son
Was your stated action: (circle one) answers will vary - Scenario: A place of worship in a community more than 1,000 miles from your
home has been bombed.
Historical event referred to: bombings in Alabama
Jackie Robinson's action: sent a telegram to the White House
Was your stated action: (circle one) answers will vary - Scenario: A leader of a cause you believe in has spoken out against an executive
policy that you also support. You fear that the words of protest spoken by this
leader will cause the President to limit his efforts towards your common cause.
Historical event referred to: Dr. King's opposition to The Vietnam War
Jackie Robinson's action: wrote a letter to the President
Was your stated action: (circle one) answers will vary - Scenario: You sense that a younger generation will not be as patient as
your generation was to wait for changes to occur in government policy. You believe
that
violence could erupt at any moment.
Historical event referred to: concerns over black youth
Jackie Robinson's action: wrote a letter to the White House
Was your stated action: (circle one) answers will vary