turrean's review against another edition
3.0
A Red Sox fan hopes for an integrated team. End notes give context.
mat_tobin's review against another edition
5.0
Based on the true story of Pumpise Green's debut as a baseball player for the Boston Red Sox in 1959, Wittenstein tells the story of racism in sport and how Pumpsie's eventual moment of playing led to the historic dismantling of those barriers within the game which prevented black players from playing. Told through the eyes of the fictional character, Bernard, a young black boy, we see his and his family's frustration with society and the game and the stigma which affected fair rights and opportunities for black people to be able to play competitively.
What is clear is how appalling the Red Sox were in supporting these changes and how important this moment was to all those who fought for equal rights with regards to race but also for those families who wanted and needed to see people like them playing the game. It is a pity that the story was not written by someone black from a family created by Wittenstein but he pulls no punches towards the racism and ignorance presentation by some of the white spectators.
I think this would be an excellent book to use to explore the theme of segregation and equal rights. Wittenstein does not force the point but, through Bernard and his family, leaves enough moral reflection to let the reader consider how foreign such a concept should be considered. I would certainly use it to reflect on the racism which still pervades in the UK especially in sports such as football in which I still witness some appalling abuse.
What is clear is how appalling the Red Sox were in supporting these changes and how important this moment was to all those who fought for equal rights with regards to race but also for those families who wanted and needed to see people like them playing the game. It is a pity that the story was not written by someone black from a family created by Wittenstein but he pulls no punches towards the racism and ignorance presentation by some of the white spectators.
I think this would be an excellent book to use to explore the theme of segregation and equal rights. Wittenstein does not force the point but, through Bernard and his family, leaves enough moral reflection to let the reader consider how foreign such a concept should be considered. I would certainly use it to reflect on the racism which still pervades in the UK especially in sports such as football in which I still witness some appalling abuse.
backonthealex's review against another edition
4.0
We always hear about Jackie Robinson and how he broke the color barrier in baseball playing baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. But it took 12 more years, for the Boston Red Sox to finally put a black player on their team roster and that player was Elijah "Pumpsie" Green. And for the narrator of this book, Bernard, it couldn't happen soon enough. Bernard and his family are big Sox fans, but he wants to know why there are no black players on his favorite team and he knows that Pumpsie, a player in the minor leagues, is just who the Sox need. But, even as the Sox lose game after game in the summer 1959, they resist giving Pumpsie a chance. But when the Sox finally drop to last place, the decision is made to put Pumpsie into the game. Still, integrating the Sox wasn't easy. Bernard and his family had always faced prejudice and racism at the games in Fenway, and Pumpsie faces it on the field from Sox fans who want a white team only. Wittenstein does a great job of presenting Pumpsie Green's entry into the major leagues through the eyes of Bernard. His facts are accurate and the attitudes of both black and white fans are portrayed honestly. For example, Bernard and his family are enthusiastic Red Sox fans, but when he and his sister jump up and cheer for a player, they are told to "Sit down and Shut up!" When a cop comes over to see what's happening, he tells them: "You people need to learn how to behave." The first time Pumpsie takes the field at Fenway Park, he's greeted with a man shouting "Get that Negro off the field!" What a welcome! Ladd's realistic acrylic and pencil illustrations reflect the period perfectly, while capturing the enthusiasm of all fans, the feeling of pride among the black fans when they finally see a black player join the team, as well as the anger of white fans who are against integrating the Red Sox. Back matter includes an Author's Note and a list of Sources about race and baseball.
mat_tobin's review
5.0
Based on the true story of Pumpise Green's debut as a baseball player for the Boston Red Sox in 1959, Wittenstein tells the story of racism in sport and how Pumpsie's eventual moment of playing led to the historic dismantling of those barriers within the game which prevented black players from playing. Told through the eyes of the fictional character, Bernard, a young black boy, we see his and his family's frustration with society and the game and the stigma which affected fair rights and opportunities for black people to be able to play competitively.
What is clear is how appalling the Red Sox were in supporting these changes and how important this moment was to all those who fought for equal rights with regards to race but also for those families who wanted and needed to see people like them playing the game. It is a pity that the story was not written by someone black from a family created by Wittenstein but he pulls no punches towards the racism and ignorance presentation by some of the white spectators.
I think this would be an excellent book to use to explore the theme of segregation and equal rights. Wittenstein does not force the point but, through Bernard and his family, leaves enough moral reflection to let the reader consider how foreign such a concept should be considered. I would certainly use it to reflect on the racism which still pervades in the UK especially in sports such as football in which I still witness some appalling abuse.
What is clear is how appalling the Red Sox were in supporting these changes and how important this moment was to all those who fought for equal rights with regards to race but also for those families who wanted and needed to see people like them playing the game. It is a pity that the story was not written by someone black from a family created by Wittenstein but he pulls no punches towards the racism and ignorance presentation by some of the white spectators.
I think this would be an excellent book to use to explore the theme of segregation and equal rights. Wittenstein does not force the point but, through Bernard and his family, leaves enough moral reflection to let the reader consider how foreign such a concept should be considered. I would certainly use it to reflect on the racism which still pervades in the UK especially in sports such as football in which I still witness some appalling abuse.
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