When Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, he became a lighting-rod for racial insults and even death threats. That was when Jim Crow laws ruled and segregation was the law of the land. Integration would not happen for almost another decade and Civil Rights would not be a reality for another 18 years.
Sixty-five years after Robinson's debut, Barack Obama became the first black President of the United States. Many believed his rise to the presidency signaled the start of a post-racial era in America; instead, it marked the rebirth of the same racism Robinson faced.
In the history of the United States, no sitting President has ever endured the insults, disrespect and threats as Barack Obama.
In insulting the President, they belittle the office and make a mockery of the entire democratic process. Robinson recieved threats from fans of professional baseball as well as players. The President also must deal with the blatant disrespect of the Republican Party, which has kept racism alive as a political strategy.
How bad is it?
Instead of listing all the incidents, a video of Nation of Islam leader, Minister Louis Farrakhan, outlines the racism and disrespect endured by President Obama. No matter the opinions pro or con about Minister Farrakhan, the items he lists in his speech are not undocumented opinions, but items that appeared on national television, newspapers and magazines.
