Read this excerpt from I Never Had It Made. He knew I would have terrible problems and wanted me to know the extent of them befo
re I agreed to the plan. I was twenty-six years old, and all my life – back to the age of eight–I had believed in payback, retaliation. The most luxurious possession, the richest treasure anybody has, is his personal dignity. I looked at Mr. Rickey guardedly, and in that second I was looking at him not as a partner in a great experiment, but as the enemy –a white man. I had a question, and it was the age-old one about whether or not you sell your birthright. "Mr. Rickey," I asked, "are you looking for a Negro who is afraid to fight back?" I never will forget the way he exploded. "Robinson," he said, "I'm looking for a ballplayer with guts enough not to fight back." Which statement best summarizes this excerpt? A.) Before accepting Rickey’s offer, Robinson confirms that Rickey respects him as a strong black man.
B.)Before becoming partners with Rickey, Robinson discusses what he will be paid for his efforts.
C.) When Robinson studies Rickey’s plan, he decides that Rickey is an enemy who cannot be trusted.
D.)When Robinson argues with Rickey, Rickey insists that there is no reason to disagree with his plan.
The answer is: A) Before accepting Rickey’s offer, Robinson confirms that Rickey respects him as a strong black man.
<em>I Never Had It Made</em> is an autobiography by Jackie Robinson, who defied the status quo in 1947 by becoming the first black baseball player in major leagues.
From this excerpt, we can tell Robinson is used to seeing white men as the enemy, which is historically and culturally understandable. So, when approached by Branch Rickey with an offer, Robinson is guarded. He does not wish to be afraid and to be told what to do. He wants to fight back when he has to. But Rickey's answer to his question casts a new light on the issue. Not fighting back does not mean being afraid, it means being strong, brave, poised.
Romeo claiming that he flew on "loves wings" allowing him to leap over the orchard walls. Also creates a bold remark that love will protect him from Juliet's kinsmen because "love, a man can do anything."
