Jackie Robinson's fight for racial equality

+ how Maxwell House Haggadah became a Passover staple US Edition - Today's top story: Jackie Robinson was a Republican until the GOP became the 'white man’s party' [View in browser]( US Edition | 15 April 2022 [The Conversation]( Jackie Robinson was more than an athlete. Seventy-five years have now passed since Robinson became the first Black man to play for a professional white baseball team. Major League Baseball is celebrating the seminal moment that occurred on April 15, 1947, when Robinson, wearing No. 42, strode on the field as a Brooklyn Dodger. But as historian Chris Lamb of IUPUI points out, “[those celebrations will fall short if they don’t address how Robinson confronted white supremacy with class and dignity]( … when his own minor league manager once asked, ‘Do you really think a nigra is a human being?’” Robinson’s life was focused on achieving racial equality in America — and he paid a price. In one 1953 sports magazine article headlined “Why They Boo Jackie Robinson,” he was described as “combative” and “emotional.” A Cleveland paper called him a “rabble rouser” who was on a “soap box.” As politics professor Peter Dreier explains here, “It was Robinson’s strong patriotism that led him to challenge America to live up to its ideals. He felt an obligation to [use his fame to challenge the society’s racial injustice](.” Also today: - [Why more boosters won’t end the pandemic]( - [Taking Twitter private isn’t necessarily better for business]( - [How segregation still affects school funding]( Howard Manly Race + Equity Editor Wearing his military uniform, Jackie Robinson signs a contract on Oct. 23, 1945 to becomes the first Black to play with a white professional baseball team. Bettmann/Getty Images [Jackie Robinson was a Republican until the GOP became the ‘white man’s party’]( Chris Lamb, IUPUI Like millions of other Blacks during the first half of the 20th Century, legendary baseball player Jackie Robinson was a republican. That changed when the GOP opposed voting rights for Blacks. Health + Medicine - [Why we can’t ‘boost’ our way out of the COVID-19 pandemic for the long term]( Prakash Nagarkatti, University of South Carolina; Mitzi Nagarkatti, University of South Carolina Research suggests that too-frequent immunizations may lead to a phenomenon called “immune exhaustion.” Ethics + Religion - [Christians hold many views on Jesus’ resurrection – a theologian explains the differing views among Baptists]( Jason Oliver Evans, University of Virginia Christians have engaged in passionate debates over the meaning of the resurrection. Baptists may be distinct in that they believe an external religious authority cannot enforce views on such matters. - [How a coffee company and a marketing maven brewed up a Passover tradition: A brief history of the Maxwell House Haggadah]( Kerri Steinberg, Otis College of Art and Design A collaboration between advertiser Joseph Jacobs and the famous coffee company produced the classic U.S. haggadah. The book sets out the ceremony for the Seder meal. Politics + Society - [Senator Dianne Feinstein faces pressure to end her 30 years representing California]( Lincoln Mitchell, Columbia University Concerns are growing about Dianne Feinstein’s ability to finish out her Senate term. That won’t dim the accomplishments of her extraordinary career, writes a scholar of San Francisco politics. - [Manifesto published in Russian media reflects Putin regime’s ruthless plans in Ukraine]( Susanne Sternthal, Texas State University A Russian journalist and political operative reveals that Russian leadership is planning for the complete destruction of Ukraine - [Want to know why India has been soft on Russia? Take a look at its military, diplomatic and energy ties]( Sumit Ganguly, Indiana University India has stood apart from other major democracies in failing to offer a full-throated condemnation of Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Here’s why. Economy + Business - [Elon Musk argues Twitter would be better off in private rather than public hands – corporate governance scholars would disagree]( Bert Spector, Northeastern University Public companies have many governance safeguards that private ones lack, such as independent oversight and transparency. 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Podcast 🎙️ - [Could lead makeup really kill you? A scientist recreated centuries-old skin whitening recipes to find out]( Daniel Merino, The Conversation; Gemma Ware, The Conversation Listen to The Conversation Weekly podcast. From our international editions - [The Zealandia Switch drove rapid global ice retreat 18,000 years ago. Has it switched to a new level?]( - [Local knowledge adds value to mapping flood risk in South Africa’s informal settlements]( The Conversation Quiz 🧠In what year did the Maxwell House first introduce the Maxwell House Haggadah? - A. 1919 - B. 1923 - C. 1932 - D. 1965 [Click here for the answer.]( - More from The Conversation US - Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly emails: [Politics Weekly]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Global Economy & Business]( - - About The Conversation: We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. 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