Jackie Robinson played an important role in helping break the color barrier for all African Americans who dreamed of playing major league baseball. In the mid-1900s, segregation was very high and there were separate areas where African Americans could eat, drink and even use the bathroom. There was a separate baseball league that blacks had to play in and there were absolutely no blacks in Major League Baseball. Everything changed in 1947 when Jackie Robinson signed a contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Signing this contract gave Jackie the opportunity to do what he loved and help change the major leagues as well. Jackie Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia, in 1919. His family were sharecroppers. Jackie's mother, Mallie Robinson, was a very hard working woman. Mallie raised Jackie and her other four children alone. Jackie and her family lived in a neighborhood where they were the only black family living on that block (Jackie Robinson Official). Growing up with a single parent, Jackie had to find her own way of life. He played many sports and excelled in all of them. From a young age, Jackie was the best athlete in the sports he played. As he grew up, he started winning bigger events and was recognized by many people for his talent. While attending college at UCLA, Jackie became the first African American to earn a varsity letter in all four sports he played, namely Baseball, Football, Basketball, and Track and Field (official Jackie Robinson). While playing basketball, Jackie led his conference, which was and still is the Pac-10 or Pacific Coast Conference, in scoring two consecutive years. In 1940 he won the NCAA championship in the long jump. He also became an All-American on the football field (Jackie Robi... center of card... a dream of doing something different, he saw an opportunity to pursue something he loved to do and help make a difference while he did it. Jackie had to be brave and courageous to stand up for himself and not get angry at people who shouted bad things at him and sent him death threats to give other African Americans the same opportunity that he had. Jackie was recognized by many people and associations for what he did to help make a difference in the world. By standing up for what is right, Jackie helped impact something bigger than himself "Biography." Jackie Robinson, 2011. Web. 16 April 2014. "SABR" Jackie Robinson Biography.com. 2014.