The Black Athlete

"In this book, Jack Orr has traced the history of the black athlete in America. It is an intriguing story. My part in it is incidental. But the book shows how far we, who happened to have been black, have traveled. From a time when we were considered toadying playthings we have progressed to the point where a great many of the best fighters, the best ballplayers and the best runners and jumpers are black and are so acknowledge in our country. More important than this, however, is the struggle all of our black people are undergoing to take their real place in society. It is hoped that this book will help in that struggle. Jackie Robinson." This excerpt is taken from the introduction to this book.