On this date in 1947 Jackie Robinson played in a major league baseball game for the Brooklyn Dodgers, breaking the color barrier and beginning what would turn out to be a huge victory for civil rights.
In honor of this man MLB commissioner Bud Selig is having every major league player wear Robinson's number (42) today. And Rightly so. Robinson was a remarkable man, not only a great ball-player, but a true hero who really cared passionately about the struggle for rights and the injustice of racism.
We should honor him. Robinson is a powerful symbol of the fight for freedom and dignity.
Today such men are too easily forgotten. As I write this today right-wing lunatics are holding "tea-bagging parties" to protest the fact that the taxes of the wealthiest Americans will rise from 36 to 39% - 10% lower than it was for most of the Reagan administration.
The following clip explains what these "Tea-baggers" are up to.
For these People allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire is a violation of fundamental human rights. Shame on them! Look to Jackie Robinson, look to the experience of African-Americans, a truly oppressed and exploited group.
How dare you lunatics whine about rich people paying a little more on their taxes?! Take a look at the American tax rates from the New deal until the end of the 1980s and learn a little history.
Instead of joining the "tea-baggers" I will spend today remembering Jackie Robinson and what he stood for and fought for.
Here's to you Jackie! Here is to those who really fight for freedom and rights!
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