Jackie Robinson Turning Points Essay

How can turning points impact daily life? A turning point is a drastic change that can impact life greatly in a positive or negative way. The individuals Jackie Robinson from his autobiography “I Never Had it Made”, Melba Pattillo Beals, from her memoir “Warriors Don’t Cry”, and Feng Ru, from Rebecca Maksel’s article “The Father of Chinese Aviation”, all faced life-changing experiences that changed their character and their lives as well as impacting their society and country as a whole.

Jackie Robinson's life change when he became the first black man to play in the 1947 World Series in Major League Baseball during a time of segregation in America. These life-changing events challenged him because he had to face racially tense crowds

As a result, the racism Beals faced was suppressing. According to paragraph seven “...I had more hope of staying alive and keeping safe than I had since the integration began. This quote explains that the racism suppressed her like a rock in a landslide. Due to these events and challenges, Beals developed pride in her country and started to understand the sacrifice Americans made for equal rights. In paragraph sixteen Beals wrote, “ “Proud that I lived in a country that would go this far to bring justice to a Little Rock girl like me, but sad that they had to go to such great lengths. Yes, this is the United States, I thought to myself. There is a reason I salute the flag.” When realizing this, Beals understands that Americans sacrificed for her to go to an integrated school. Also, she understands that she doesn’t salute the flag out of habit, but to show her pride for America. While Beals was on her way to school, she was faced with racial tension. Melba endured this racism and persevered through challenges to get an equal education. According to paragraph thirteen, “Some of the white people looked totally horrified, while others raised their fists to us. Others shouted ugly words.” In the text, the nine children never yelled back or raised

Feng was challenged constantly by poor working conditions, natural disaster, little funding, long working hours, and failed efforts. These events could have set Feng Ru back from becoming the first Chinese aviator to rise from the ground. According to paragraph six, “San Francisco’s massive earthquake and resulting fire forced him to relocate to Oakland instead, where, funded by local Chinese businessmen, Feng erected his workshop—a 10- by eight-foot shack. Jammed into this small space were tools, books, journals, mechanical projects, aircraft parts—and Feng himself, who rarely finished work before 3 a.m.” According to paragraph seven, “During one test flight, Feng lost control of his airplane (not an unusual occurrence), which plunged into his workshop, setting it ablaze.”These obstacles would have probably set most people back from pursuing their dream. However, Feng Ru persevered through these obstacles to accomplish his goal of becoming the “Father of Chinese Aviation.” In Feng’s process of trying to build and fly an airplane, he developed determination and courage to become a pioneer of Chinese aviation. According to paragraph seven, “Feng and his three assistants moved operations to an Oakland hayfield, referred to by the New York Times and the Washington Post as “a hidden retreat.” Even though Feng Ru blew up his