Theft Of Jackie Robinson Statue Adds To The Ongoing Theft Of Black History

On Thursday night, cowards entered a public park in Wichita, Kansas, and stole a statue of baseball icon, Jackie Robison.

Authorities reported that thieves entered the Jackie Robinson Pavilion in McAdams Park around midnight, cut the statue from its base and drove off with it in a pickup truck, leaving only the statue’s feet in the concrete foundation.

The damage is estimated to be around $75,000, but that’s not the true impact of the damage.

Instead, it’s the latest example of the current wave of ignorance, racism, hate and whitewashing plaguing America.

“I’m frustrated by the actions of those individuals who had the audacity to take the statue of Jackie Robinson from a park where kids and families and our community gather to learn the history of Jackie Robinson, an American icon, and play the game of baseball,” said Wichita Chief of Police Joe Sullivan during a press conference on Friday. “This should upset all of us. What troubles me even more is that the theft occurred just before the beginning of February, which marks the start of Black History Month.”

The latter makes it even more infuriating.

The statue wasn’t just a tribute to the iconic player and his legendary number 42 jersey.

It symbolized all that Jackie endured and accomplished during a time when he wasn’t meant to succeed.

And unfortunately, it’s a time that has gradually been resurrected across the country through politicians, laws and strategic efforts designed to harm, restrict, disenfranchise, punish and erase as it relates to marginalized communities, civil and human rights, voting, history and progress.

We see it in Florida, where Black History courses are being whitewashed, books are being banned (including one on Jackie Robinson) and The Principles of Sociology course is being replaced by a revisionist history course entitled Introductory Survey to 1877.

We see it in states like Texas, Utah and Florida where DEI funding has been slashed and access to voting has been limited.

And now we witness it happening in Kansas through the theft of a statue meant to inspire all.

“It was one of the few times in life I’m speechless. This horrendous, disgusting act really caused me a pause,” said Wichita City Councilman Brandon Johnson.

Stealing the statue isn’t theft of the $50,000 that the nonprofit organization League 42 paid to commish it.

It’s a theft of what Jackie Robinson meant to so many.

It’s a theft of Jackie Robinson’s history.

The racism he experienced when he was almost court marshaled for refusing to move to the back of the bus while serving in the US Army. The taunts and vicious abuse he had to swallow simply to play for the Dodgers and keep the door open for other Black players to follow through.

It’s a theft of his Hall of Fame career where Robinson was a 6x All-Star, the 1947 Rookie of the Year, the 1949 NL MVP (when he also won the Batting Title with a .349 BA), a career .311 hitter, winner of six pennants and a World Series champion (1955).

It’s a theft of the stand he took by refusing to attend the 1969 Old Timers Game because of baseball’s refusal to hire Black managers

It’s a theft of what he accomplished after baseball as a corporate executive, a supporter of unions, a civil rights advocate, a proponent of Black businesses and a crusader for affordable housing.

It’s a theft of the history of the Negro Leagues, which Robinson competed in along with some of the greatest baseball players in history.

It’s a theft of sports history and American history.

And, most significantly, it’s a theft of Black history.

So if you think “Oh, it’s just a statue. It can be replaced,” you obviously don’t know history.

And that’s probably because it’s been taken from you, too.