(LOT 21)
1949 Jackie Robinson & Rachel Robinson at House Un-American Activities Committee - Type 1 PSA Encapsulated Associated Press News Service Photo
RED SCARE!!!...
The late-1940s and early ‘50s were marred by the Cold War, McCarthyism and overall distrust and even hatred for Communism emanating from the United States superpower foe, the Soviet Union. With fear and innuendo permeating through America, even sports took a hit. Already the poster child for the Black community after breaking the color barrier in 1947, Jackie Robinson was roped into meeting with the House Un-American Activities Committee due to comments made by former athlete and actor Paul Robeson. Despite tensions having eased in 1948 and '49, Robinson, and GM Branch Rickey, agreed to have Robinson speak before the HUAC to essentially get ahead of any potential controversy. Though this ploy worked to keep Robinson and the Dodgers out of the committee's crosshairs, it allowed Jackie to air his grievances about the continued inequalities between blacks and whites. Though his impassioned speech virtually fell on deaf ears, the Black community, for the most part, stood with their Dodger hero for speaking out. Offered here is an original Type 1 photo of Jackie Robinson and his wife Rachel outside the committee room as he prepared to testify. This 7" x 9" Associated Press photo still carries the original caption on the reverse entitled "Baseball Star Called."

MIN BID $400
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