The Chicago Defender vs. The New York Times
The Media's Coverage of Jackie Robinson's Intergration to Baseball
Media Coverage of Jackie Robinson varied by region. The media became a tool, promoting democracy and challenging America's traditions and values. The most interesting feature of this project is the investigation on how the media shaped their coverage as the first
African American man assimilated into Major League Baseball. This research attempts to explore the underlying factors as to why the media's coverage differed from each other, as well as the similarities. The Chicago Defender, the city's largest black newspaper during the 1950s was much more aware of the social and historical importance of Robinson's membership in an all-white league. The story regularly appeared on the front pages of the black press. The Chicago Defender's coverage suggest that the paper's perception of racial equality determined the coverage. This study examines how The Chicago Defender covered the integration of professional baseball in its own city, as well as, its social and contextual matters. Also, this study examines the end of black-owned major leagues in lieu of the white-owned major leagues. Furthermore, this study seeks to grasp a conceptual understanding comparing the similarities and differences of The Chicago Defender and The New York Times. Also accentuating the following factors:
- Sports as a incentive to sociological research
- The historical and social importance.
The psychological affects of the integration on Robinson.
- Factors that influenced coverage.
- Racism
- Region
- Newspaper Values
- Newspaper Loyalties
Newspapers that covered Robinson more than others
- Contextual differences of different newspapers
- Headlines
- Placement
Robinson speaks on civil rights in Birmingham, Ala.; he mentions the photos of children being toss from one side of the street to another and a big brave policeman with his knee on a woman's throat. "The conscious of America is beginning to awaken," said Robinson. He realized that the pictures had gotten national attention, on account of the press. Click the play icon for more.
