The new world
In the first half of the twentieth century, who knew that African Americans would "take over" the game of basketball? The integration of sports, such as basketball, helped change our world. Earl Lloyd made his mark when he became the first black man to play in an NBA game, and therefore began the integration into professional basketball.
Earl Lloyd's personality fit the tough job he was given. He had to go through many difficult challenges to make a path for future black athletes to compete professionally. He was called terrible names on and off the field, but he was able to keep his dignity and as a result he gained respect for himself and future black players. His gentle nature helped people of all colors to have respect for black players. He helped to open the door for more black players to enter the game and to prove that they deserved to play on equal ground with white players.
Earl Lloyd was a pioneer in black sports, but there were others that paved the way for him, the same way he paved the way for future players. Like most black athletes, Lloyd looked up to the first black professional baseball player, Jackie Robinson. Lloyd used him as a role model and Robinson gave Lloyd motivation to succeed. However, Lloyd did not like to be compared to Robinson because he felt that Robinson went through so much more discrimination in baseball than Lloyd ever went through. But Jackie Robinson opened doors for the next black athletes, just like Earl Lloyd opened doors for the athletes that followed him. Each black pioneer made it easier for the athlete that followed.
As black athletes slowly started changing our country's views on integration and equality of the races, other areas of discrimination were being dealt with. In the 1950's, laws were being changed for integration in schools, medical care, employment and transportation. The black pioneers in sports, such as Earl Lloyd, helped put a 'face' on integration and made it more acceptable to white people.
Ten years after the Syracuse Nationals won a championship with Earl Lloyd on the team, Dr. Martin Luther King gave his "I Have A Dream" speech in Washington D.C. The desire for racial equality was no longer just a dream, but a real possibility. Black pioneers in sports like Earl Lloyd took important and difficult steps that had to be taken to achieve equality of the races. People like Earl Lloyd did not give up when it got difficult, they were made fun of and opportunities were taken away because of their color. Earl Lloyd and the other black pioneers were motivated by their belief in themselves and their belief in equality. Their courage helped change our world today.
Earl Lloyd's personality fit the tough job he was given. He had to go through many difficult challenges to make a path for future black athletes to compete professionally. He was called terrible names on and off the field, but he was able to keep his dignity and as a result he gained respect for himself and future black players. His gentle nature helped people of all colors to have respect for black players. He helped to open the door for more black players to enter the game and to prove that they deserved to play on equal ground with white players.
Earl Lloyd was a pioneer in black sports, but there were others that paved the way for him, the same way he paved the way for future players. Like most black athletes, Lloyd looked up to the first black professional baseball player, Jackie Robinson. Lloyd used him as a role model and Robinson gave Lloyd motivation to succeed. However, Lloyd did not like to be compared to Robinson because he felt that Robinson went through so much more discrimination in baseball than Lloyd ever went through. But Jackie Robinson opened doors for the next black athletes, just like Earl Lloyd opened doors for the athletes that followed him. Each black pioneer made it easier for the athlete that followed.
As black athletes slowly started changing our country's views on integration and equality of the races, other areas of discrimination were being dealt with. In the 1950's, laws were being changed for integration in schools, medical care, employment and transportation. The black pioneers in sports, such as Earl Lloyd, helped put a 'face' on integration and made it more acceptable to white people.
Ten years after the Syracuse Nationals won a championship with Earl Lloyd on the team, Dr. Martin Luther King gave his "I Have A Dream" speech in Washington D.C. The desire for racial equality was no longer just a dream, but a real possibility. Black pioneers in sports like Earl Lloyd took important and difficult steps that had to be taken to achieve equality of the races. People like Earl Lloyd did not give up when it got difficult, they were made fun of and opportunities were taken away because of their color. Earl Lloyd and the other black pioneers were motivated by their belief in themselves and their belief in equality. Their courage helped change our world today.