杰基·罗宾森在面对逆境时所展现出的尊严与毅力，开始改变人们的看法并赢得人心。球迷对他的喜爱与日俱增，甚至连最尖酸刻薄的种族主义者也无法否认他惊人的球技。他的不服输的精神鼓舞了球队，对于布鲁克林道奇队在世界大赛中赢得六次冠军功不可没。那些扬言要致他于死地的威胁以及仇恨信件减少了，而人们对于非洲裔美国人参与职业运动的态度也开始转变。

　　1956 年赛季结束后，杰基·罗宾森也结束了职棒生涯。1962年，他成为棒球名人堂选出的首位非洲裔美国人。但这位不折不扣的美国英雄遗留下来最伟大的贡献，却是促使白人至上的美国社会认清了种族隔离的不公正。罗宾森深知，应该以一个人举止的良莠来评断其人──而非其背景或肤色。通过以棒球为媒介，杰基·罗宾森让白人至上的美国社会直接面对这个事实。

　　Vocabulary

　　●1.dignity n. impressive self-control, calmness, and pride 尊严；高尚

　　It was difficult for the singer to maintain his dignity when his wig fell off during a show.

　　这名歌手在演出时假发脱落，让他再也无法维护尊严。

　　●2.incredible adj. amazing; very impressive 惊人的；难以置信的

　　Modern fighter planes fly at incredible speeds, and can cross entire continents and oceans in very little time.

　　现代战斗机飞行速度相当惊人，能在很短的时间内飞越整个大陆与海洋。

　　3.diminish v. to become less and less 减少；降低

　　The light in the forest diminished as the sun set behind the mountains.

　　太阳下山后，森林里的光线渐渐变暗。

　　●4.regarding

　　prep. concerning 对于；关于

　　After several deadly accidents, the workers presented their boss with some suggestions regarding safety.

　　历经几次致命的意外事故后，工人们向老板提出一些安全方面的建议。

　　5.shift v. to change 转变；改变

　　The people’s negative opinion of the politician shifted when he proved that he had never lied to them.

　　在该政客证明自己从未欺骗选民后，人们对他的负面评价有所转变。

　　6.on the merit(s) of sb./sth. phr. according to sb./sth.’s positive points or value 根据某人／某事的价值或优点

　　Based on the merit of his job performance, John was chosen as the winner of the Employee of the Month award.

　　约翰获选“本月份最佳员工”，是根据他在工作上的优异表现。

　　More Information

　　1.perseverance n. 坚持；毅力

　　2.adversity n. 逆境；困境

　　3.legacy n. 遗产(指前人遗留下的影响、想法等，如 cultural legacy即指文化遗产)

　　4.segregation n. 种族隔离