Philadelphia is issuing an apology to the late Jackie Robinson 69 years after he endured racial slurs from the people of the city. He faced racism when he played against the Phillies in 1947.
In a report by ABC News, the Major Baseball League's first black players will be receiving the apology in behalf of his wife. Accordingly, the people of Philadelphia racially profiled the player when he visited the city 69 years ago. Philadelphia's City Council have unanimously voted to pass a resolution to apologize to Robinson.
Councilwoman Helen Gym, who introduced the resolution, said in a statement that Robinson experienced some of "the most virulent racism and hate of his career." She added that she and her colleagues decided to pass the resolution in order to celebrate Robinson. April 15 has also been named as the day to honor Robinson's achievements, Time reported.
April 15 is the day that Robinson broke the color barrier by becoming the first ever black player. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
The racism that Robinson has experienced in Philadelphia includes being denied service by a local hotel in the city and taunted by the Philadelphia Phillies manager, Ben Chapman. Opposing players also would shout racial slurs against Robinson when he goes up to bat. One of the statements against Robinson was "go back to the cotton field," The Guardian reported.
The 2013 biopic entitled "42" starring Chadwick Boseman highlights the hateful reception that Robinson received in Philadelphia. It was also a box office success.
The apology will be presented to Robinson's widow, Rachel.
Robinson died in 1972 at the age of 53. He is famous for the quotes "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives" and "I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me... All I ask is that you respect me as a human being."
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