On Stand, 16 and black - Monster

On Stand, 16 and black….His hands shake profusely but I see in his eyes that he can’t stop it. He’s scared. He knows better then I do what kind of discrimination he is going to face.

Hello, my name is Jackie Robinson. I know all to well what this man is feeling. In 1944 I was arrested because I refused to move to the back of a segregated bus during training camp. At the time Baseball was also segregated like that bus. I played in the Negro Leagues but was drafted by Branch Rickey to play for the all-white Montreal Royals. I was confronted with a lot of racial abuse during the seasons, mostly during away games. In 1947 I was the first African American to play in the MLB (Major League Baseball).

Steve Harmon is starting at a disadvantage in this trial, just like I did playing baseball. The jury does not see an innocent young man but they see a GUILTY black man. Furthermore he grew up in the ‘’getto’’ of New York so that automatically make him a piece of scum…. Right off the go, it doesn’t matter what Steve has or has not done. The discrimination found in this case alone will most likely be enough to but him away.

If I get a chance to speak to this young boy I will tell him not to give up. Don’t let people judge you based on what you look like, based on where you grew up or even based on how you talk. MAKE them judge you based on who you are and how you think. Show the jury who Steve Harmon is and who Steve Harmon wants to be. Never back down from know one and always prove them wrong.