DOD RESTORES JACKIE ROBINSON ON WEBSITE, ADMITTING IT WAS TAKEN DOWN IN DEI PURGE
The impact of Jackie Robinson on society is undeniable. Yes, he won the World Series, had a great career in the Negro League and MLB, and is rightfully in the Baseball Hall of Fame. However, it’s his impact as an activist, breaking racial barriers while receiving unacceptable treatment as a Black athlete in America, that defines his legacy. But did you know that he also helped break barriers in the military? Robinson may be connected to the Dodgers but long before the number 42 was retired, he was a Soldier drafted into the Army.
Was Jackie Robinson in the Military?
Jackie Robinson is a Veteran of the U.S. Army after being drafted into service in 1942. During World War II, the future Cooperstown-bound player was part of the Army and made quite an impact outside of the battlefield.
Similar to when Robinson was playing baseball, he faced unfortunate racial barriers in the Army. While serving, he joined the Double V campaign, which fought back against racial injustice and also protested the racism he would face.
Initially, Robinson was barred from becoming an officer; however, he joined the Officer Candidate School after protesting and defying the norms of the time.
Serving at Fort Riley, Kansas, Robinson was in a unit segregated from whites and his military service would find the Soldier fighting hatred at home versus the Axis powers of the time.
Serving in Fort Hood and His Arrest
Two years after being drafted, Jackie Robinson found himself stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, and even though the federal government had done away with segregation, the practice was still in place.
So, while riding on a bus, the driver told him to move to the back. A request Robinson refused, leading to a confrontation that continued to escalate.
Ultimately, Robinson was arrested and charged with multiple crimes. The national media would turn its eyes on the case after Robinson reached out to the NAACP and the Black press to highlight these racially motivated charges.
An Acquittal and Honorable Discharge
Robinson faced multiple charges during his court-martial on August 2, 1944, but thankfully, most of them were dropped.
Everything from disturbing the peace to drunkenness and even conduct unbecoming an officer was on the table. Further accusations were also found to be made up and the jury of nine officers ultimately found Robinson not guilty.
This was just one example of Robinson facing racism head-on and overcoming obstacles for a better society and also a bit of a change in his life.
Following his acquittal, Robinson was transferred to Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky, and it was here where he began coaching Black athletes. Robinson would be honorably discharged in November 1944 due to an ankle injury.
On April 15, 1947, Robinson broke the color barrier in MLB and the following year, the military was desegregated.
From training to defend our nation to playing America’s past time, Robinson paved the way for equality in society with a great influence still seen today.
Jackie Robinson’s Military Career Taken Down & Later Restored
The Department of Defense has restored the article on its website honoring Jackie Robinson after having removed it in an effort to purge DEI content. This is largely due to its removal causing much backlash online.
The page explains Robinson's military career, and time serving during WWII. It further elaborated on how he made a name for himself in Major League Baseball, becoming the first Black player in MLB in 1947.
In response to the backlash, the DOD has issued the following statement:
"Everyone at the Defense Department loves Jackie Robinson, as well as the Navajo Code Talkers, the Tuskegee airman, the Marines at Iwo Jima and so many others -- we salute them for their strong and in many cases heroic service to our country, full stop. We do not view or highlight them through the prism of immutable characteristics, such as race, ethnicity, or sex. We do only by recognizing their patriotism and dedication to the warfighting mission like ever other American who has worn the uniform.
DEI -- Discriminatory Equity Ideology does the opposite. It Divides the force, Erodes unit cohesion and Interferes with the services' core warfighting mission.
We are pleased by the rapid compliance across the Department with the directive removing DEI content from all platforms. In the rare cases that content is removed -- either deliberately or by mistake -- that is out of the clearly outlined scope of the directive, we instruct the components and they correct the content so it recognizes our heroes for their dedicated service alongside their fellow Americans, period."
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