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4-26-97:		 What advice or comment would you give to Chicago White Sox Outfielder & first baseman Frank "The Big Hurt" Thomas (an African American) who stated on a nationally televised broadcast that he did not have any impression about Jackie Robinson nor of his sacrifices for African Americans playing the game of baseball?



Name: Celeste Robinson
Email:
Response: It is a travesty when anyone, whether black or white, forgets the people who made it possible for them to achieve. Whenever a Black person hears names such as Jackie Robinson, Ernest Green, or Martin Luther King, Jr., there should be an emotion which rises up in our souls due to how much they have personally affected our lives, and due to how much they have given of themselves for the greater good of African-Americans.


Name: K. Leonard
Email: k8wra@juno.com
Response: It is sad that a person with such great wealth and celebrity would announce to the world that he is so ignorant. I would ask Mr. Thomas to find and read and absorb all he could about Jackie Robinson who helped make it possible for him and other blacks to play major league baseball; and to find out what sacrifices the Curt Flood made so he could become a free agent baseball player and command such large salaries. And to read of the indignities suffered by Billie Holliday and Marian Anderson to bring such beautiful music to all Americans; of the life that Nat Turner gave to help us gain freedom from slavery; of the outrages suffered by the "Buffalo Soldies"; of the many blacks who played great and interesting partsin the development of this country. Of Elisha McCoy, Benjamin Banniker, James Weldon Johnson, Countee Cullen, and the black dude down the street who goes to work every day to support his family and cuts his grass, and paints his house, because he really has "BLACK PRIDE."


Name: Just Terry
Email: home01@themall.net
Response: I was distressed during the remembrance of Jackie Robinson celebrations. I felt pride that an African-American showed the ability to rise to a challenge he felt before him and acknowledge his contribution to the Black White relationship in the United States. I more so felt troubled, the vision of a man being selected because he representated what White America would accept. Selected above the level of others, more deserving and better qualified, this continues to plague me and our community. I do not glorify this as some Earth Shaking event, but view it as more evidence of our in-ability to understand the pressures which devastate our attempts to create stable communities. Our leaders do not come from us, bubbling up into the nations awareness as a function of their community acheivements, but are selected, promoted, protected, and guided to fulfill a function of their provider. African-American continue to be selected if they obey the directions given, no-matter the consequencces to their communities. I realize the honor we are attempting to bestow upon Jackie Robinson, I am unsure the true message of his life and its implications to the African-American is clearly understood a puzzle similar to Booker T. Washington. Someday we will search then and only then will we will rediscover the tree of knowledge and find it was never far away.


Name: John Pickett
Email: john_pickett@students.morehouse.edu
Response: Frank Thomas, what do you think about when you hear that name ? Most people think, "power hitter" or "play maker", but alot of people forget to realize that he is a role model too ! That is what gives his recent statement its unfortunate essence. His ignorance of his past is perpetuating the terrible theme of forgetfulness, which many of our people suffer from. If others, most importantly the younger generation view this as acceptable, then our "mis-education" as a people will only continue. Frank has to remember the position he holds as a superstar is a very delicate one. Instead of making ignorant comments, such as the one he made eariler, he needs to educate himself about those people who have paved the way for his illustrious occupation. After he has educated himself, he needs to learn to appreciate those individuals. I only wonder, who else Frank has forgotten ? How about this, why don't we just forget about Frank Thomas, because obviously he has forgotten who he is himself !


Name: Judge Willard
Email: judge_willard@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I belive that Frank Thomas should go to a libary and checkout a book on Jackie Robinson. After he is finish reading the book about Jackie Robinson, he should checkout another book on other Afro Americans that followed Jackie Robinson's footsteps by joining the sport of baseball. Then he should go public and say that he is now aware of Jackie Robinson's contribution to the sport of baseball, and appologize for his stupidity.


Name: Parris Ford
Email: parris_ford@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I think that it is sad that a player as successful as Frank Thomas does not even know who made it possible for him to get there. If it wasn't for Jackie Robinson, he probably would never get the chance to hit a homerun in the major leagues. Jackie Robinson's sacrifices made his career possible and he should show a little more respect for history.


Name: Lawrence Lanier
Email: lyrical_thug@hotmail.com
Response: I belive that Frank Thomas made a very stupid and unthoughtful remark, and I think if he dosent know much about Jackie, that he should learn about Baseball History.


Name: Sherry Patton
Email: ba882@freenet.buffalo.edu
Response: If this man was 100-percent honest in his denial of J.R.'s achievement and merit, I pity him. I am not a fan of baseball, and I know enough about Jackie Robinson to not have made this profoundly sorry display of ignorance. If (as I suspect) Big Hurt was merely attempting to further distance himself from Blackness, I dislike him with a passion. Sellout African Americans have hurt our community nearly as badly as "the man". But I DO understand how such persons are created: AS A COMMUNITY, WE ARE ALL TOO FAR REMOVED FROM BLACKNESS. From "brothers" who think racism has ended because they can now date white women, to mothers who make ignorant remarks (often in public, no less) about "good" and "bad" hair and "light-skinned" vs. dark-skinned beauty traits. And this trend is threatening (IMHO) to destroy black Americans as a people. Just look at how much of our $435bil gets spent purchasing the white "American Dream" trappings. Many of us want to live in the suburbs: because we will be closer to white people, the" neighborhoods. Our women buy magazines whose covers are an Ode to White Beauty. Our men seem hell-bent on a Gotta Be (A) White (Woman) mission. And thanks to our silence on this disturbing trend, black men are marrying white more than black for the first time in history! At Brown University, the black girls are (publicly) protesting the high incidence of brothers dating only white and or biracial females. What message is this sending to black girls? How about this: If you are black, you may very likely find yourself the "wrong" color for black mens' tastes. I ask: how can a sister be the wrong color for a brother? My answer: Black skin does not a brother (or African American) make, one must look then at the overt actions and listen closely to the rhetoric issuing from the mouths of "our own". Sadly, black self-hate is thriving. It can be found in the rhetoric of a Gary Franks, and the White-only dating preferences of our most affluent "brothers". It can be found in the nihilism of the ghetto, and the "transformation" of most of the Jackson Family. It can be found in the same way white-on-black racism can be found. In fact, black-on-black racism is a by-product. I applaud persons such as Dominique Dawes, Jackie Joyner, Jackie Robinson, Michael Jordan, et. al, who (unlike "Tiger" Woods) did not embaress themselves (nor the rest of Us) by distancing themselves from their (obvious) Blackness. I think that increasingly being Black will become more than just a concept, it may just evolve into a political statement. If it hasn't already, that is. Peace, ya'll.


Name: Corey Johnson
Email: ca_j@hotmail.com
Response: I think that Mr. Thomas made a very ignorant statement which showed his stupidity about the knowledge of the sport. He should as an African American know all there is to know about Jackie Robinson (the first Black person to play in MBL). So, my advise to Frank "The Big Hurt" Thomas is to read all the books he can find about Jackie Robinson, AND THATS THE BOTTOM LINE SON CAUSE' I SAID SO!!!


Name: luke dunbar
Email: luke_dunbar@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: My advice to Frank Thomas is to go to every doggone library in Detroit and find every doggone book about every black African American who struggled hard and long to not only to play baseball but every thing they were not allowed to do. So the next time someone asks him about this issue he wonÕt have to say "I don't know know".


Name: Marciese McCaskill
Email: marciese-mccaskill@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: Frank Thomas aka "The Big Hurt." Ignorance on the black struggle and hard work of Jackie Robinson. How could you not know the first black man in Baseball. You play the sport and don't know the history behind it. That's like an accountant that can't add or subtract. Frank need's to go back to school,and this time take a Black History class.


Name: Clifton Brown
Email: Clifton_Brown@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: It is an insult to all black people who cried and died for black people to do the things we can do today. If I saw him I would ask him why did he embarrass himself by making that stupid statement Everbody should know who Jackie Robinson is.


Name: George Campbell
Email: george-campbell@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I feel as though if he wants to be ignorant, let him. Every person has the right to his/her own opinion obviously he made his, and even though most people wouldn't agree with the statement he made, who are we to judge?


Name: Brain Stallings
Email: brian_chiles@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: This is what I feel about Frank "Big Hurt" Thomas's comment on Jackie Robinson . I say If a professional baseball player that is African-Amercan does not have any knowledge about the first African-Amercan to enter the sport of baseball . To me that is ignorance to not know about Jackie Robinson . The man who broke Babe Ruth's records of stolen bases in one season . If Frank does not know about Jackie his should take some time out of his off season and learn about that great man.


Name: Dewey Ross
Email: dewey_ross@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I think that Frank Thomas should go to the library and check out a book on Jackie Robinson. I don't understand how he can play baseball and not know about Jackie Robinson. Frank Thomas should not have made the comment that he never heard of Jackie Robinson on national tv. If he didn't know about Jackie Robinson he should have never made any comment or statement regarding Jackie Robinson. Jackie Robinson was the first black player to break the color barrier and the first black player in major league baseball. Frank Thomas should go and research Jackie Robinson and appoligize for his ignorance and stupidity.


Name: David Wallace
Email: david_wallace@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I feel that Frank Thomas could have kept that comment to himself. It was very ignorant and wrong towards African Americans. He should go to a library and look up our history. He must not realize who paved the way for African Americans in sports. He also needs to think about if Jackie Robinson would have never struggled to play he would not be making as much money as he is. I really looked up to him but now he needs some help and when can gain the knowlegde he will then become my role model.


Name: Marcus McCaskill
Email: marcus- mccaskill@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: Frank Thomas should be very embarassed about not knowing that Jackie Robinson was the first black african american to play baseball. If Jackie Robinson didn't go through the struggle for blacks to play major league baseball Frank Thomas the big hurt wouldn't be playing today.


Name: MCOTTON
Email: MCOTTON@CHES.UA.EDU
Response: MUCH OF OUR AFROAM HERITAGE HAS NOT BEEN CONNECTED TO THE NEXT GENERATION EVEN OUR MOST INPORTANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. AFROAM AS A WHOLE DOESN'T KNOW ITS HERITAGE...EVEN OUR MOST IMPORTANT MOMENTS. IF THIS IS TO BE CHANGED WE HAVE TO TELL OUR NEXT GENERATION EVERYTHING WE KNOW. OTHERWISE, OUR KNOWLEGE WILL BE LOST.


Name: luke dunbar
Email: dunluke@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: My advice to Frank Thomas is to go to every library in Detroit and find every book about African Americans and read them until his eyes burn and fall out!!!!!


Name: LeVar Gibson
Email: levar_gibson@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I am sorry for the man who isn't impressed by the way that a famous person such a Jackie Robinson made a way for black people to play baseball. It is a shame that he doesn't appreciate the way that Jackie Robinson paved the way for us to play baseball. He is embarrassing the whole black race by not knowing the history of blacks playing baseball. He needs to go to the library and find out that information. He should be ashamed of himself as old as he is and does not know the history of baseball. To be a black man playing baseball he should know about Jackie Robinson. I am only in the 8th grade and I know who Jackie Robinson is. If it weren't for Jackie Robinson didn't pave the way for blacks, he wouldn't be able to play today. He is a disgrace to all African-Americans, those who play baseball and those who don't.


Topic: Forgetting Jackie Robinson Name: Styron Batchelor-Burks
Email: styron_burks@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I feel that Frank Thomas should be ashamed of himself. Not knowing about Jackie Robinson is a crime especially when you play baseball. I don't have much to say so finally Frank Thomas need's to read a book!!!


Name: rita
Email: rita fp@aol.com
Response: Mr. Thomas has a problem on two levels - First, there is his horrible ignorance about many who sacrificed so Mr. Thomas could be that ignorant. Anyone, of any race, who does not understand his own history is doomed. And regardless of your racial background, any baseball player ought to be grounded (no pun intended) in the history of his sport. Jackie Robinson and the Negro Leagues (and the All-American Girl League, for that matter) are part of the history of his sport. He shopuld know that. Secondly, I am concerned that he didn't have enough sense not to expose his ignorance in public like that. Even if he didn't know what Jackie Robinson stood for, he should have had sense enough not to display that ignorance on national TV. The "brother" is in a world of trouble! I hope he learned something from this experience.


Name: Marcella
Email: mbarriere@addisonny.com
Response: I think the point is not that Frank does not KNOW who Jackie Robinson is, but that he has no greater or lesser impression of him than of anyone else in baseball history. In one response it was stated that Frank is married to a White woman -- not knowing Frank personally, I don't think it is fair to comment on that aspect of his life. What his statement says to me is that he doesn't particularly CARE about the struggle of Black people before him (or the struggle that continues now). That, in and of itself, is sad and disheartening. If he sees fit to 'forget' Jackie Robinson, Black people today should do the same to Frank... just forget him, he's lost anyway.


Name: Fred Davis
Email: Fdavis@benserv.com
Response: There is a old saying "Those of you who forget or never learn from your history are doomed to repeat it".Frank Thomas and many like him are disconnected from their history.Many young people i talk with seem to think that the age of Jackie Robinson and the Civil rights movement is ancient history.I've even found African Americans who grew up in the Civil Rights era frowning on our past history,saying "We have to stop reliving the past" and "that was long time ago". Well i submit that most of the cavalier attitudes that young people have towards our history today is due to their parents nonchanlant, whishywashy attitudes about our past. Its just been over 30 years that we've had true civil rights in this country and it just was not given to us because they thought we deserved it. Dues had to be paid by many(in blood,sweat and tears)for this generation to thrive and strive forward.Much of our history is painful,but it must be told to be appreciated and it must be told so those coming after us will know that a price was paid for their successes.


Name: DeJuan Franklin
Email: dejuan_franklin@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I believe that Frank Thomas made a very ignorant comment about not knowing about Jackie Robinson. He paved the way for all African-Americans to play in the major leagues. He was one of the most famous African-Americans to ever play baseball. Frank Thomas, heres alittle tip! Go and look up Jackie Robinson and understand how you got to play in the major leagues!!!


Name: Amri Johnson
Email: amriBE@juno.com
Response: Maybe "Big Hurt" is not alone in this feeling. The sentiment from the athletes of the 90's is, ME TOO. Instead of criticizing him, maybe we should ask him why? Maybe we should also ask other athletes why they think he might have responded this way.


Name: Tiffany Berrien
Email: tiffany_berrien@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I believe that he doesn'tknow much about his history. Jackie Robinson was the first black man to play baseball.He was the reason blacks were able to play baseball.I think that Jackie Robinson is one great man.


Name: Sulaimann A.Matten
Email: sulaimann_matten@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I believe that the comment that Frank Thomas made was very ignorant for him to say. I could see if he had kept that comment to himself, but to broadcast his ignorance all over america was just plain stupid. I think he should go and get a book about the people who paved the way for him to be able to play baseball. THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY!!


Name: Terrell Harris
Email: terrell_harris@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I say that if Frank Thomas didn't have any impressions on Jackie Robinson he shouldn't have said that, and if I was him I wouldn't say anything about Robinson and I would just be myself.


Name: Theron Parker
Email: theron_parker@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I think that Frank Thomas [the big hurt] should have never said that he did not have any impression about Jackie Robinson because Jackie was a African American just like he is. He must not know how black people struggled in slavery. He came from the same race we came from so, I think that he should have never said what he said.


Name: Martinez Scott
Email: martinez_scott@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I believe Frank Thomas is being a hypocrite. it is impossible for any man, black or white, in major league baseball to not know about Jackie Robinson and the accomplishments he has acheived in and out of baseball. I think the comment he made was stupid and foolish. He made a complete fool of himself and a complete fool of his race. Hopefully there will not be another African American to do such a dumb thing.


Name: Torian Cook
Email: torian_cook@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I think that Frank"THE BIG HURT" Thomas should thank the first black baseball players. Frank Thomas and the other baseball players today should thank them, if it weren't for them, they wouldn't be playing baseball.


Name: Marlowe Jordan
Email: marlowe_jordan@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I think the comment that Frank Thomas made was very ignorant and not called for. If Frank Thomas did not know about Jackie Robinson and how he paved the way so African Americans could play Majar League Baseball. He should have kept it to his self because that shows more ignorance, especially being an African American baseball player. I think he should go to a library and look back into the history of baseball.


Name: Earnest Hayes
Email: earnest_hayes@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: This is the information I will give to Frank "The big Hurt" for not knowing about his history of african americans. He should take a season off to read up on his black history. I also think that he should quit baseball because he shouldn't do anything that blacks fought so hard for and he doesn't appreciate it by learning it. I think he shouldn't play baseball if he doesn't know anything about it.


Name: luke dunbar
Email: luke_dunbar@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I think that Frank Thomas needs to stop acting and wake up! Jackie Robinson did a lot by playing basball when he did, and ignoring the hollers and screams of white racists. My advice to Frank Thomas is to go to the library and read every book about African Americans he can possibly read!


Name: Alexander Hampton III
Email: alexander_hampton@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I find that Mr. Thomas's ignorance of the accomplishments and sacrifices of the Great Jackie Robinson is a shame, it is also a sign of the necessity of the teaching of African-American History. My advice to Mr.Thomas is to pick up a couple of books on black history and read about the sacrifices that other African-Americans made for him to reach the position he is in today.


Name: K. Copeland
Email: GlenKen@aol.com
Response: I wonder where Mr. Hurt received his education. I'm also curious about his upbringing. Surely someone in his family knew about our struggle. He should never forget where he came from----and we ALL (African-Americans) came from the same struggle.


Name: Frances Murphy
Email: FrankieLpou@aol.com
Response: Poor thing!! When you don't know whose shoulders you stand on it is difficult to understand what life is all about. I would urge the young man to read at least one Black newspaper like the AFRO or magazine so he can get a new slant on life. Ten to one he needs a lot of educating in a short period of time. I guess, in his case, we can only pray he understands how important it is to know your history so you do not have to repeat it.


Name: Kara Kenney
Email: kara_kenney@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: This baseball player certainly is not aware of his black history or african american background. This so-called african american baseball player must regret his sayings.


Name: Nnamdi Nzingha
Email:
Response: Well the "big hurt", seems to need "BIG HELP". I think he's one of the brothers who try to be so crossover that he has become a joke. I know he's married to a white woman so maybe that's why he has the mentality he has.


Name: CYNICAL & INDIFFERENT
Email: S015LAB@DESIRE.WRIGHT.EDU
Response: the dude needs a Black History Lesson I say. If he has no idea how hard it must have been for Jackie Robinson, an educated, military veteran, intelligent, upright, and upstanding, to day in and day out listen to a bunch of ignorant, no-count, uneducated rednecks call him the n-word, or worse, then HE needs to be zapped back in time, to take Jackie Robinson's place for a month. I bet he'd get the point then.


Name: Myreon Blair
Email: myreon_blair@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I think that he should go back to school and learn about Jackie Robinson.So Frank would be able to learn about all the contributions he made for black people in baseball.


Name: Shor-tee
Email: mis_pimp@hotmail.com
Response: I think Frank Thomas is a hipocrite. He is only critizing Jackie's lifestyle because he has not experienced it. If he had loved the game as much as Robinson did, he would give up the same priviledges- just to play. He should learn some self- confidence.


Name: Terrance Damieon, Harris
Email: terrance_harris@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I think that something Frank Thomas was Going threw caused this man to say that.I would have wanted him to experienceWhat Jackie Robinson went threw to beAble to play in sports (general). andAfter that maybe he'll change his thoughtOf immaturity.


Name: Dennis Simmons
Email: dennis_simmons@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I THINK FRANK THOMAS SHOULD GO TO A LIBARAY AND RESEARCH BLACK PEOPLE AND HOW THEY STRUGGLED TO GETTO THE TOP.I ALSO THINK HE SHOULD RESEARCH JACKIE ROBINSON TO SEE WHAT HE HAD TO GO THREW WHEN HE WAS THE ONLY BLACK ARFO AMERICAN IN THE MAJOR LEAGUE.


Name: Asim Craft
Email: detroit.x@worldnet.att.net
Response: I think that Frank Thomas shouldn't never played baseball if he doesn't know the contributions that Jackie Robinson did for us and him. If he doesn't know who originated African Americans as of playing baseball then he should look back in History!!!


Name: Elijah Rudder
Email: elijah_rudder@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I don't think that it was right for Frank Thomas to forget about his own African American brother,I think that he needs to take a book on the early Afican Americans who played baseball so that next time somebody ask him about a baseball player he can give tham a answer.


Name: Lorenzo Woods
Email: lorenzo woods@dps.dutpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I think frank big hurt needs to go back into time and play baseball in the 20's and 30's, and he will see what a fool he made out of hisself.


Name: Jermaine keith
Email: jermaine_keith@dpsnet.detpub.2.mi.us
Response: I think he should be ashamed of his because Jackie Robison was the first black baseball player in the history. If he had not fought and went through people throwing at him and cursing him, Frank thomas would not be playing today.


Name: sheronda nalls
Email: sheronda_nalls@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: Well I think that Frank Thomas should go and get some information about Jackie Robinson. Jackie Robinson went though alot when he played baseball, people called him names every time he played a game .They said things like I wish you would die, and ni**a. Jackie Robinson will always be a hero in my eyes.


Name: Shanita Williams
Email: shanita_williams@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: Baseball was a sport that black people could not play. Frank Hurt should not have made that comment about Jackie Robinson. Frank Hurt apparently did not know his history about Jackie Robinson so therefor he should not have said anything. If it was not for Jackie Robinson we would not be able to play Baseball.


Name: Darryl Hazziez
Email: darryl_hazziez@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: In my opinion Frank Hurt is a person who is unaware of all of the sacrifices that have been made to benefit him by Jackie Robinson. Jackie became the first African American to play major league baseball Jackie built a path for African American baseball players to be able to get a chance to play out on the field. Frank hurt to me is an ignorant person who needs to take a long look at himself in the mirror.


Name: Eboni Williams
Email: eboni_williams@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: Well to me I feel that Frank Hurt don't know what he's talking about. How could you forget about Jackie Robinson? I feel that Jackie Robinson played the best that he could. Jackie entered the Major League because he is one of the best players out there. Just because Frank Thomas aka the big hurt is the outfielder and the third basemen of the Chicago White Sox dosen't have to mean that he knows everything or he thinks he knows everything because he dosen't, especially about Jackie Robinson.


Name: Robert Richardson
Email: robert_richardson@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: The comment I have for the Chicago White Sox player Frank Thomas is that he doesn't no anything about his history if he would learn his history Frank might changes his comment on the Jackie Robinson anniversary


Name: Troi Young
Email: troi_young@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I think that he made black people look bad because he did not know anything about Jackie Robinson. So next time when Frank Thomas is asked about a African American baseball player he should know the answer or should be able to tell them more next time.


Name: Junuis Donaldson
Email: junuis_donaldson@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I think he should have learned about Jackie Robinson.He is the whole reason Africans can play baseball.


Name: Terrance Moon
Email: terrance_moon@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: I feel that Frank Thomas {Big Hurt} said his comment out of ignorance. Frank does not know what Jackie Robinson went through in his life. All that Mr. Thomas knows is that Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play M.L.B {Major League Baseball}. He skipped the fact that Jackie was threatend,harassed, and got things thrown at him. Frank Thomas should think about what he said and he should take his comment back and say something else.


Name: Daniel Wallace
Email: daniel_wallace@dpsnet.detpub.k12.mi.us
Response: Im not a fan of baseball but African American leaders, like Jackie Robinson payed the way so African Americans could play in the Major League. If Jackie hadn't played so well, African Americans wouldn't be able to do anything on the field but sale hot doggs. I don't think Frank Hurt could have done a better job than Jackie nor stand aganist the temptation that White spectors give him.


Name: Solomon Landers
Email: Numberup@worldnet.att.net
Response: Mr. Frank Hurt is showing disrespect to himself and to his culture. Most likely, he would not have the opportunity to earn millions and thrill millions without the brave sacrifices of people like Jackie Robinson. Those mighty pioneers who braved racism, segregation and second-class citizenship earned our deepest respect and honor. There is still racism, but we have it much easier now. At least, the legal barriers are down, and people with the abilities have the opportunity to display them, to use a baseball metaphor, "get on first base." I am sure Mr. Hurt is talented and resourceful, but it is hubris to think he got where he is without help, or to fail to recognize those upon whose shoulders he stands.